How to Make French People Speak French to Me?

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 café, 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 préfère parler en français s’il vous plaît” –
   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 plaît” –
   Could you speak slower/ louder, please
5. “Je ne parle pas très 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 spécialement en France pour parler français”
   I came specially to France to speak French

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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 “répétez s’il vous plaît”
3. Think Twice about asking people to correct your French

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