Mastering the sounds of French can significantly enhance your speaking and listening skills. This guide introduces the key elements of French pronunciation.
In French, vowels can have accents, which slightly change their pronunciation.
Most French consonants are pronounced similarly to their English counterparts, but some are different:
When 'm' or 'n' follows a vowel in the same syllable, the combination produces a nasal sound. Nasal vowels are a distinctive aspect of French pronunciation. The nasal consonants 'm' and 'n' are usually not pronounced in these combinations.
In French, the stress is typically on the last syllable of the word. Unlike Spanish or English, the stress does not change the meaning of the word in French.
Practicing pronunciation is crucial in learning French. Listening to native French speakers and repeating the sounds, words, and sentences can significantly improve your pronunciation. Be patient with yourself and keep practicing!
Learn how to link this guide to your speakable speaking assignments: Setting Students Up for Success: Guide to using Text Cards for Instructions.This guide is a simplified overview and isn't exhaustive. Pronunciation can vary widely across different French-speaking regions. This guide is based on standard Parisian French. If your students are learning a specific dialect, some of these guidelines may need to be adjusted.
