How to Make French People Speak French to Me?

Author: Camille Chevalier-Karfis

I often hear the same complaint: “As soon as I start to speak French, French people switch to English”. Why do the French switch to English and solutions to make them speak French to you.

Why do French People Switch to English?

When speaking to a foreigner, French people often switch to the other language if they can. Why?

  1. Is it to show they can speak another language? Maybe.
  2. Do they think they are being polite and making you more at ease? Probably.
  3. Do they want to practice? Absolutely.

One thing is certain though, the idea that YOU may want to practice your French doesn’t really cross their mind! They don’t realize that this can seem rude and so frustrating to someone that spends months/years trying to learn and master French.

Why do the French Want to Speak English?

The fact that a French person speaks English to you doesn’t mean s/he cannot understand your French. As we saw above, s/he just has her/his own agenda.

So don’t be too sensitive about it, and just persevere: keep speaking French, it’s your right, and you worked hard for it!

The French person should get the idea and switch back to French. If not, then s/he’ll speak English, you’ll speak French, and at least you’ll get to practice your French!

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Choose The Right Conditions

When traveling to a French-speaking country, you are entitled to practice your French. But you also need to be aware of the context. All French people are not your private French teachers.

So, if you are somewhat fluent in the language, this should not be a problem, and you shouldn’t hesitate to state your preference to speak French.

But you have to be able to at least communicate for people to engage in an exchange in French.

Say you are at a busy Parisian cafĂ©, the waiter probably has other things to do than trying to figure out what you are saying – when he speaks fluent English


So try to be sensitive to the context and the people you are engaging in a French conversation. Then, when the time and place are right, be firm about speaking French.

Some Places are Better to Practice your French

I already talked about this in my article “Vacationing in France to practice your French“.

Paris is a busy city, a lot of people do speak English and won’t have time for you.

You will have more luck in smaller French cities or the French countryside where people don’t speak English and will be happy to meet a foreigner who is learning French, and glad to help you out.

French Sentences to ask the French to Speak French to you

Now let’s see some phrases you can use to ask a French person to speak French with you.

  1. “J’étudie le français et j’aimerais parler français avec vous” –
    I am studying French and I would like to speak French with you
  2. “Je prĂ©fĂšre parler en français s’il vous plaĂźt” –
    I’d rather speak French, please
  3. “Je ne comprends pas tout”
    I don’t understand everything
    It’s better than “je ne comprends pas” which means you don’t understand ANYthing.
  4. “Vous pouvez parler plus lentement/fort s’il vous plaüt” –
    Could you speak slower/ louder, please
  5. “Je ne parle pas trùs bien, mais je comprends si vous parlez simplement” I don’t speak very well, but I understand if you speak simply
  6. “C’est gentil de m’aider avec mon français”
    How kind of you to help me with my French
  7. “Je suis venu spĂ©cialement en France pour parler français”
    I came specially to France to speak French

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Please react! Leave a comment, make a suggestion, share this article
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You may also enjoy these articles on FrenchToday’s blog.

  1. Vacationing in France to practice your French
  2. Avoid saying “rĂ©pĂ©tez s’il vous plaĂźt”
  3. Think Twice about asking people to correct your French

Learn French in context, check out French Today’s downloadable French audiobooks: French Today’s bilingual novels are recorded at different speeds and enunciation, and focus on today’s modern glided pronunciation. 

Author: Camille Chevalier-Karfis

Camille Chevalier-Karfis

Born and raised in Paris, I have been teaching today's French to adults for 25+ years in the US and France. Based on my students' goals and needs, I've created unique downloadable French audiobooks focussing on French like it's spoken today, for all levels. Come to Paimpol and enjoy an exclusive French immersion homestay with me in Brittany.

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