So, you’ve got a impressive Duolingo streak. You can confidently tell any owl that le chat est sous la table (the cat is under the table). But when you try to watch a French film or speak to a native, you hit a wall. Sound familiar?

This is a common experience. Apps like Duolingo are fantastic for building a daily habit, learning vocabulary, and grasping basic grammar. They are the perfect starting point, but they are not the finish line. True fluency in French—the ability to express yourself fluidly and understand others with ease—requires stepping out of the app and into the language itself.

Here’s how to move beyond the basics and start speaking authentic, living French.

1. Embrace authentic content (The fun part!)

Stop studying French and start using it. Immerse yourself in content made for native speakers.

• Movies & TV: Watch French films on Netflix (Lupin, Dix Pour Cent). Use French audio with English subtitles, then re-watch with French subtitles. Finally, try without any subtitles at all.
• Music & Podcasts: Create a playlist of French artists (from Stromae to Indila to older classics like Jacques Brel). Listen to podcasts for learners like InnerFrench or Coffee Break French, then graduate to native-level podcasts on topics you enjoy.
• Reading: Don’t start with Victor Hugo! Try bandes dessinées (French comics like Astérix), children’s books, or news sites like France 24.

2. Find your voice through speaking

This is the most crucial step. You must move from formulating sentences in your head to speaking them aloud.

• Talk to Yourself: Narrate your day in French. “Je prépare mon café. Il fait beau aujourd’hui.” It feels silly, but it works.
• Language Exchange: Use platforms like Tandem or HelloTalk to find native French speakers who want to learn English. You can help each other through text and voice messages.
• Invest in a Tutor: For structured progress, nothing beats a professional tutor. They provide real-time correction, conversation practice, and personalized feedback you can’t get anywhere else.

3. Think in French

Your goal is to break the habit of translating from English to French in your head.

• When you see a dog, think “un chien.” Not “dog… which is chien in French.”
• Start with simple thoughts and descriptions. This rewires your brain to operate within the French language directly, which is the key to fluency.

4. Dive into the culture

Language is a vessel for culture. Fall in love with the French way of life.

• Cook a recipe from a French chef (in French!).
• Follow French influencers on Instagram or TikTok.
• Learn about the history, the regions, and the art de vivre. Understanding the culture provides context for the language and makes it infinitely more meaningful.

The journey to fluency

Achieving fluency is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s a deeply rewarding journey of connecting with a new world. Use Duolingo for what it’s good for—a daily dose of practice. But then, close the app and open up the real France. Écoutez, lisez, et parlez. (Listen, read, and speak). Your future fluent self will thank you.