How To Set Goals For Your French In The New Year

The start of a new year is the perfect moment to reflect, dream and plan ahead.

If you’re currently on the journey of learning French, setting thoughtful goals can help you stay motivated, consistent and inspired throughout the year. But let’s be honest, vague resolutions like “I want to get better at French” rarely stick. So how can you make your French goals practical, realistic and exciting too ?

Whether you have ADHD, a busy life, fluctuating energy levels, or simply want a calmer approach to learning, here’s how to set French goals that actually support you and not overwhelm you in the new year.

1 : Reflect On The Past Year (Without Judgement)

Before setting goals for the new year, gently look back on the previous year :

• What moments felt enjoyable or meaningful?
• Which milestones in French are you most proud of ?
• Which areas were the most challenging ?
• What felt heavy, frustrating, or unrealistic?
• Did you discover a new passion like : French films, literature, comic books, French / Francophone shows or conversations ?

This reflection helps you celebrate progress, however small it may be, and identify exactly what you want to do next.

2 : Be Specific

Instead of setting vague goals like “I want to improve my French this year”, get specific about your objectives. If your goals are measurable, you’re more likely to stay motivated and stick to them.

• “I want to read one book per month in French”.
• “I want to have three 15-min conversations in French per week”.
• “I want to write a short journal entry in French every morning”.

Specific goals are easier to track and give you a sense of achievement as you progress.

3 : Make Goals Achievable And Realistic (Plan For Your Energy)

It’s tempting to aim for fluency in three to four months, but let’s be honest with ourselves. Slow, steady progress is more sustainable. Ask yourself :

• How much time can I truly dedicate to French each week ?
• What does an ideal week of French learning look like ?
• What feels doable even on a low-energy day ?
• What activities bring me joy while learning ?

Committing to 30 minutes of French conversations or listening or writing is often more effective and sustainable than a 5 hour weekly marathon.

4 : Mix Fun With Discipline

Learning French as an adult doesn’t have to feel like school homework. Combine some fun with structured goals, adapted to your level in French. Here are some fun examples that my students follow :

• Level A1 : Read an illustrated book in Easy French (Livres en Français Facile)
• Level A2 : Listen to a podcast in Easy French
• Level B1 : Read une BD française / francophone (BD = comic book)
• Level B2 : Watch a French film / series without subtitles.
• Level C1 : Read a book in French, note down interesting words and make sentences using them.

When learning feels joyful and exciting, learning becomes natural. Pleasure increases dopamine release, which in turn supports meaning, especially for ADHD brains.

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5 : Break It Down Into Micro-Goals

Big goals can often feel very intimidating. Instead of attacking them, you’re likely to take a step back and do nothing at all. So break them into smaller, doable steps :

• Instead of “I want to speak like a native”, start with “I’ll learn 2 new idioms in French everyday”
• Instead of “I want to read French literature”, start with "I'll read one page of a novel or a comic book every day”.
• Instead of “I want to understand profound conversations in French”, start with “I’ll listen to 10 minutes of a podcast every day.”

Small atomic steps and victories help build momentum and confidence.

6 : Track Your Progress

Keep a learning journal (= un journal d’apprentissage), a progress tracker or a digital checklist. Learn to celebrate your wins, no matter how small :

• Did you understand a full podcast today ? 👏✅
• Did you read a full comic book in French this month ? 👏✅
• Did you write a full paragraph in French without translating in your head ? 👏✅

Remember how you feel when you cross levels in Candy Crush or Angry Birds ? It's the same feeling you’re trying to chase here. The more achievements you unlock, the more your confidence builds and the more likely you are to stay motivated and get closer to your ultimate goal in French.

For ADHD learners especially, seeing progress helps motivation stay alive.

7 : Put It On Your Calendar

A goal that isn’t scheduled often stays just a good intention. If learning French really matters to you, treat it like any other important commitment. Block time in your calendar for French and see it as a non-negotiable appointment with yourself :

• 20 minutes of French reading on Monday evenings.
• A conversation class every Wednesday.
• A French podcast during your workouts on Saturdays.

When it's written in your calendar, you no longer have to decide whether you’ll study French, the decision is already made. This reduces mental load and decision fatigue, and helps build consistency, especially on busy or low-energy days.

Start small and realistic. Even two short, scheduled French moments per week can create a powerful habit over time.

8 : Be Kind To Yourself

Lastly, learning French is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be weeks when you miss your goals, and that is totally normal. Adjust, reset, restart and continue. The key is consistency over perfection. What matters in returning, not being perfect.

Example French Goals for the New Year

• Learn 10 new words or expressions every week and use them in sentences.
• Keep a daily French journal and write, even if it's only 3 lines.
• Join a weekly French conversation club or a comic book workshop with us where mistakes are welcome.
• Read one French short story a month.
• Watch a French film with subtitles every Friday night.

Your French journey doesn’t need to be intense to be meaningful. It needs to be sustainable, enjoyable, and adapted to who you are.

Ready to Set French Goals That Truly Fit You?

If you’re looking for personalised French lessons , a gentle learning plan, or support to stay consistent with French, especially if you feel overwhelmed, busy, or neurodivergent, I’d love to help.

I offer a free French discovery call where we:

• talk about your current level and goals in French
• identify what’s blocking your progress
• design a realistic, sustainable plan adapted to your energy and lifestyle

This free call is ideal if you want to:

• improve your spoken French
• regain confidence in French
• learn French in a calm, supportive way
• see if private or group French lessons are right for you

No pressure. No obligation. Just a calm conversation to see if we’re a good fit.

Let this be the year French feels supportive, joyful, and sustainable.

Bonjour ! My name is Jahnavi, I’m a French teacher based in Edinburgh, UK. I work with adult learners in Leith and across Edinburgh city, as well as online. I offer personalised French lessons as well as small in-person group classes adapted to your energy, goals and learning styles