Learn Languages with Steve Kaufmann 5 tips to improve your French pronunciation
Nov 20, 2025
Explore effective strategies for mastering French pronunciation. Learn to focus on holistic listening rather than getting bogged down by details. Develop an intuitive understanding of phonological patterns by combining listening with reading. Discover the importance of pure vowel sounds and techniques for pronouncing tricky sounds like the French U. Understand the mechanisms behind nasal vowels and learn the rules of liaison that bring letters to life. Sharpen your skills with practical tips and improve your clarity in speaking French!
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Prioritize Listening Over Symbols
- Do spend most of your time listening and reading to internalize French phonology holistically.
- Do not rely primarily on IPA symbols; learn sounds by hearing them in context.
French Vowels Are Pure Sounds
- Recognize French vowels as pure, single sounds rather than English diphthongs.
- Adopting pure vowels makes your French sound more natural and pleasing to natives.
Practice The French 'U' Actively
- Practice the French U by forming a rounded U mouthshape then say E to bridge into the correct sound.
- Combine deliberate practice with lots of exposure so you can produce it naturally in speech.