I Learnt French or German at School. How Much Do I Actually Remember?

Perhaps you studied French or German at school and haven't used it since. Twenty, thirty or even forty years later, you might assume that most of it has disappeared.

But has it?

The good news is that you probably remember far more than you think.

It's still in there somewhere!

When adults return to a language they learnt at school, they are often surprised by how quickly things start to feel familiar.

You might not immediately remember how to conjugate a French verb or which German case to use, but then you'll hear a familiar phrase, recognise a word or suddenly remember something a teacher taught you decades ago.

That previous learning gives you a valuable head start. Vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar patterns can often be reactivated much more quickly than learning them for the first time.

So, while it may feel as though you are beginning again, you probably aren't starting from scratch.

Why does speaking feel so difficult?

One of the most common things I hear from adult learners is "I can understand quite a lot, but I can't speak it." This is completely normal!

You may recognise words when reading a menu or understand the gist of a conversation, but producing the language yourself is a different skill. When someone actually speaks to you, finding the right words quickly can suddenly seem much harder. Often, the missing ingredient isn't knowledge. It's confidence and practice.

Do I need to go back to the beginning?

Not necessarily, and this is where tailored and personalised language lessons can be particularly helpful.

Rather than automatically returning to page one of a beginner's textbook, I can look at what you already know, identify the gaps and build from there.

For one person, that might mean refreshing grammar. For another, it could be pronunciation or vocabulary. Often, it's simply getting comfortable speaking again without worrying about making mistakes. I tailor my lessons to concentrate on the language you actually want to use.

Learning as an adult is different

The other advantage is that this time you get to choose why you're learning. Perhaps you work with German-speaking clients, you have a home in France or simply want to feel more confident ordering dinner and chatting to people when you travel. You can focus on what interests you and what is useful in your life and that can make returning to a language surprisingly enjoyable.

Why not find out what you remember?

If you've been thinking about picking up French or German again, don't be put off by how long it has been. You may be surprised by just how much is still tucked away!

At The Language Cabin, I offer personalised French and German lessons for adults, including those returning to a language after many years. We can start by finding out what you already know and take it from there, at your pace and with your own goals in mind.

Justine Burnett

The Language Cabin

justine@thelanguagecabin.co.uk