How many of us have all the good intentions of learning or improving our French in our spare time with CD courses and free apps, but find that the reality is so much harder?
You may have heard of new legislation being introduced that will make it essential for those moving to France to live and work, to speak and understand French. If you’ve already tried going it alone, you’ll have realised how hard it can be to learn a new language without help – it’s not how we naturally learn says Celtina Massardo of SLImmersion.
Learning French naturally
If you listen to a toddler communicating, it’s impressive how quickly they progress, but think about it: there’s usually a parent chatting to them throughout the day, asking questions, repeating and correcting the child’s phrases. That type of one-on-one tuition with a supportive attitude is ideal for learning a language.
As an adult, the equivalent is an immersion course. “With SLImmersion, you’re living with a French-tutor, an expert in teaching the language, and simply having to communicate, but knowing that you’re in an encouraging environment. Forget the dread of large classes where you might be judged or corrected publicly, it’s just you and your tutor, and every single aspect of the teaching is tailored to ensure that it’s relevant to you. Even better, by staying with someone who’s French, you also get to experience their culture, cuisine and way of life” says Celtina.
Moving to or living in France – How to learn French fast
New legislation in France likely to come into effect in 2026 means that anyone applying for a residency card will need to demonstrate a French level over A2 on the international language scale, meaning that you can understand frequent phrases and expressions related to areas of personal and family information, shopping, work and leisure (there are some exceptions to this ruling eg pre-Brexit card holders).
And don’t panic – if you don’t have time to study French before your arrival, you will have time to learn when you arrive.
If you want to learn quickly, an immersion course is ideal. Operating since 2012, SL Immersion offers customised French-language programmes, connecting would-be learners with qualified and vetted tutors across the country. You decide what you need in terms of teaching level, length of stay and the region you’d prefer, and Celtina will advise you on which tutor is the ideal match.
Programmes are very flexible and are tailored to fit the individual: your accommodation will be with your tutor, taking meals together and enjoying activities to discover the region, all while speaking and improving your French.
What makes it different
Celtina Masardo created SL Immersion after teaching in language centres in Lyon and Switzerland. She also worked as a French language test examiner for OFFI, the French Office of Immigration and Integration, one of the accepted forms of demonstrating your French level for the new legislation.
“I wanted to offer a more authentic service, so I started welcoming students to stay with me in my home, offering an immersive experience of living the language as you learn it. My courses in Provence became very popular so I started to make connections with teachers in other regions to see if I could expand what I was offering. It was very important to me that each tutor was highly qualified, with a lot of experience teaching foreigners and that, like me, they were passionate about the French language. Now, many years later, we have a national network of hand-picked, carefully vetted tutors offering homestays that provide that ideal combination of learning, culture, authenticity and interaction with the locals.”
Why not try a new area?
If you’re already living in France, and you’re tempted to book an immersion course, your first reaction might be to choose whichever tutor is closest to your hometown, but this is a fantastic opportunity to explore another part of the country. You can experience life in Paris, Bordeaux or the Côte-d’Azur, get to know Brittany, Normandy, or venture across to the Ardèche or Rhône-Alpes, Provence or Occitanie.
“New destinations are being added regularly,” adds Celtina, “but only when the tutor has passed the quality checks, as it’s incredibly important to us that we offer the best possible service.”
What can I expect
As every homestay is tailored to suit you, your experience will be unique, but from the moment you arrive, you’ll be gently encouraged to communicate with whatever level of French you have. This is a natural learning environment, not an academic setting, so you’ll chat about daily life, current events and what you might be having for dinner that night!
Depending on your host and the location, you can visit the local area, exploring markets, sites of interest and nearby landmarks, all while improving your French vocabulary and accent. This way, learning grammar comes naturally, as it does when we learn from our parents and families.
Nigel stayed with Anne-Laure in Bordeaux for 6 nights and was delighted with his progress: “The improvement in my French has been close to miraculous. When I arrived, I could hardly string a sentence together but now I am a very confident speaker. I highly recommend Anne-Laure and SL Immersion.”
And Tinne, who stayed with Coralyne in the Côte d’Azur, says “I learned a lot whilst enjoying myself during my stay. I not only learned French grammar but learned about the local culture, food and environment, and also met a great family!”
If you’ve ever said to yourself, ‘I wish my French were better, but…’ then perhaps it’s time to take the plunge and book an immersion stay. Your future self will certainly thank you for it!
Take the plunge
Visit the SL Immersion website, where you can browse the profiles of tutors across the country, read reviews, and decide what kind of course would best suit you.
