5 Common Mistakes Students in Reno Make When Learning French Online

Written By Olga Sylvia

Introduction: French Dreams in the Biggest Little City

Picture this: you’re sitting in your home in Reno, laptop open, cup of coffee steaming beside you, and your screen filled with rolling French Rs and elegant vowels. You’ve dreamed of strolling the boulevards of Paris, ordering a perfect croissant in flawless French, or simply impressing friends at Midtown bars with a “ça va ?” that sounds authentically French.

Yet learning French online hasn’t been quite as smooth as you’d hoped.

Maybe you’ve memorized hundreds of words, but freeze when someone says a single sentence. Maybe you’ve hopped from YouTube tutorials to TikTok reels, convinced that the next video will finally unlock the secrets of French fluency. Or maybe you’re starting to feel like French is a beautiful but slippery fish you just can’t seem to catch.

Sound familiar?

You’re not alone—and it’s not your fault.

In Reno, more and more adults and teens are choosing online French classes. It’s flexible. It fits into busy lives. And let’s be honest—it’s way cheaper than a flight to Paris.

But along with those advantages come certain pitfalls.

Over years of teaching French online—including to dozens of Reno students at Polyglottist Language Academy—we’ve noticed the same five mistakes cropping up again and again. These errors slow progress, waste time, and leave learners feeling discouraged.

The good news? Once you recognize these mistakes, you can avoid them—and finally build the fluency you’ve been dreaming about.

So whether you’re a total beginner or brushing up your skills for a trip, keep reading. Let’s make sure your Reno French-learning journey leads somewhere magnifique.

Mistake #1: Believing That French = Vocabulary Lists

Many Reno students tell me proudly:

“I’ve learned 2,000 French words already!”

Fantastic. But then I ask:

“Can you introduce yourself? Tell me why you’re learning French?”

…and suddenly there’s panic.

The biggest mistake new online learners make is thinking French is just vocabulary.

Yes, words matter. But real-life French is about:

  • how words connect in sentences

  • how grammar frames meaning

  • how expressions and fillers make speech natural

  • how listening comprehension ties it all together

Knowing “chien” means “dog” won’t help you when you hear:

Il y a un chien qui aboie derrière la porte.

…and can’t parse any of it.

The Fix

✅ Study phrases, not isolated words.

Instead of memorizing “chien,” memorize:

  • Il y a un chien. → There’s a dog.

  • Mon chien est très gentil. → My dog is very sweet.

  • Est-ce que tu as un chien ? → Do you have a dog?

✅ Practice speaking those phrases.

Speaking forces you to “activate” vocabulary in real time.

✅ Listen daily.

Use apps like:

  • TV5MONDE

  • France Inter

  • French podcasts on Spotify

Even five minutes a day trains your ear.

Remember: fluency = vocabulary + grammar + listening + speaking.

Mistake #2: Not Speaking Enough Because You’re “Not Ready Yet”

This is huge. I hear it every week from Reno learners:

“I’m going to wait until I know more French before I start speaking.”

Bad idea.

Here’s why:

✅ You’ll never feel 100% ready.

French has gender, verb tenses, tricky pronunciation. You’ll always feel there’s “one more thing” to study before speaking.

✅ The longer you wait, the harder it becomes.

Speaking requires building muscle memory—for your tongue, lips, and brain. It’s like learning to dance: reading about the steps won’t make you a dancer.

✅ Making mistakes is how you learn.

Online learners often fear “sounding silly.” But guess what? Everyone sounds silly at first. French people appreciate the effort far more than perfect grammar.

The Fix

✅ Speak from Day One.

Even if it’s just:

  • Bonjour !

  • Je m’appelle…

  • J’habite à Reno.

✅ Use speaking-focused apps.

  • iTalki for conversation practice

  • HelloTalk for language exchange

✅ Join an online French group.

At Polyglottist Language Academy, our Reno students practice real conversations, not just grammar drills.

Don’t wait. Speak now.

Mistake #3: Using Only “School French”

There’s textbook French—and then there’s the way real French people talk.

Too many Reno learners study phrases like:

Je voudrais réserver une chambre.

Perfectly correct. But real French people might simply say:

Je prends une chambre.

Or instead of:

Je suis désolé.

They’ll say:

Je suis navré.
Je suis vraiment désolé.
Oh mince !

School French teaches polite, precise structures. But spoken French is:

  • full of filler words (euh, bah, ben…)

  • shortcuts and slang

  • casual tone shifts

  • pronunciation blending (liaisons)

If you only learn textbook French, you risk sounding robotic—and not understanding native speakers.

The Fix

✅ Listen to real conversations.

Podcasts, movies, YouTube interviews. Note how people actually speak.

✅ Learn filler words.

  • euh (uh…)

  • bah (well…)

  • tu vois (you see)

  • genre (like)

✅ Study “street French.”

It’s not rude—it’s how people truly talk.

Mistake #4: Not Understanding Spoken French Because You’re Reading Too Much

Many Reno learners excel at reading:

  • textbooks

  • blog articles

  • subtitles

But then a French person starts speaking and…

It’s a blur.

This happens because written French ≠ spoken French.

Differences include:

  • words blending together (liaisons)

  • dropping letters and syllables

  • rapid speed

  • regional accents

For example, written:

Je ne sais pas.

Spoken:

Chépa.

Or:

Qu’est-ce que tu fais ? → Kesk tu fais ?

Reading is important—but listening comprehension requires ear training.

The Fix

✅ Listen daily, even just 5 minutes.

  • radio

  • YouTube

  • short TikToks

✅ Start slow.

Choose beginner podcasts before jumping to news radio.

✅ Repeat phrases aloud.

Shadow native speakers to copy rhythm and pronunciation.

✅ Use transcripts.

Read along while listening. Then listen again without the text.

Mistake #5: Giving Up Too Soon Because “French Is Too Hard”

Many Reno students hit this wall:

“French is just too hard.”

Reasons people give up:

  • spelling and silent letters

  • gender for nouns

  • tricky pronunciation

  • the subjunctive (oh, la la!)

But here’s the truth:

✅ French is absolutely learnable.

Hundreds of our Reno students have gone from total beginners to confidently speaking French online.

✅ Perfection is not the goal.

Native speakers make mistakes too. You’re not aiming for perfection—just communication.

✅ Your brain adapts faster than you think.

Consistent small steps beat occasional big study sessions.

The Fix

✅ Lower the pressure.

It’s OK to say:

  • “Can you repeat that?”

  • “I don’t know that word.”

✅ Celebrate small wins.

Can you order a coffee? Ask someone how they are? That’s progress!

✅ Stick with it.

Fluency takes time—but it’s worth it.

Putting It All Together

Let’s recap the five biggest mistakes Reno learners make online:

  1. Thinking vocabulary lists = fluency.
    → Focus on phrases, listening, and speaking.

  2. Waiting to speak until “ready.”
    → Speak from day one—even short sentences.

  3. Sticking only to textbook French.
    → Embrace real-world language and filler words.

  4. Reading too much but not listening enough.
    → Train your ear every day.

  5. Giving up because it feels too hard.
    → Keep going. Small daily steps build fluency.

Learning French online from Reno is not just possible—it’s incredibly rewarding. With the right strategy, you can transform your French from frozen “school French” into confident, real-world conversation.

FAQs: Learning French Online in Reno

Q1: Can I really learn French online without going to France?
Absolutely! Many Reno students reach conversational fluency entirely online. The key is practicing listening and speaking, not just reading.

Q2: How long does it take to become fluent?
It varies. With consistent effort, you can hold basic conversations in 3-6 months. Fluency often takes 1-2 years of regular practice.

Q3: Is French grammar very hard?
Parts are tricky (like gender and verb tenses), but it’s absolutely learnable—especially if you practice small bits daily.

Q4: Should I focus on speaking or writing first?
Prioritize speaking. Writing helps, but spoken French is essential for real-life interactions.

Q5: Why can’t I understand native speakers even though I studied French?
Because spoken French is fast, blended, and full of slang. You need listening practice daily.

Q6: Are there good French teachers online for Reno students?
Yes! Many excellent teachers specialize in online learning and cater to Reno time zones.

Q7: Can I learn French if I’m over 50?
Of course! Age doesn’t stop you from learning languages. Adults often learn more efficiently because they’re disciplined.

Q8: What’s the biggest secret to learning French online?
Consistency. Short daily practice beats long weekly sessions. And don’t wait to speak.

Ready to Avoid These Mistakes and Finally Speak French?

At Polyglottist Language Academy, we specialize in helping Reno students conquer the unique challenges of online French learning. Our interactive, conversation-driven classes ensure you speak from day one—and understand real French in real-life situations.

➡️ Sign up for our French classes today!

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Olga Sylvia
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