English Exam Tips for French Speakers
French and English share many words, which helps a lot. Watch out for false friends, tense use with "depuis", and some sounds that French does not have.
Common Challenges for French Speakers
- False Friends: Many similar-looking words have different meanings. Example: "Actually" means "en fait", not "actuellement". "Eventually" means "finalement", not "éventuellement". "Library" is "bibliothèque", not "librairie".
- For and Since: French uses the present tense with "depuis". English uses the present perfect. Example: "I have lived here for five years" not "I live here since five years".
- Adjective Position: English adjectives usually come before the noun. Example: "A blue car" not "a car blue".
- Present Perfect vs Past Simple: The passé composé is often translated with the past simple, not the present perfect. Example: "I saw him yesterday" not "I have seen him yesterday".
- Uncountable Nouns: Some French plural nouns are uncountable in English. Example: "Some information" not "some informations". "Advice" not "advices".
- The "h" and "th" Sounds: French does not pronounce "h" and has no "th". Example: Practice: "hair/air", "heat/eat", "think/sink".
Grammar Tips for French Speakers
- Present Perfect: Use it for actions that continue to now or for experience. Never use it with finished times like "yesterday".
- Continuous Tenses: English uses "be + -ing" for actions in progress: "I am working now", not "I work now".
- Adverb Position: Frequency adverbs go before the main verb: "I always go" not "I go always".
- Make vs Do: French "faire" can be "make" or "do": "make a mistake", "do homework".
- Questions: Use do/does/did: "Do you like coffee?" not "Like you coffee?"
- Subject "it": Use "it" for objects and ideas, not "he" or "she": "The table is old. It is heavy."
Vocabulary Advice
- Keep a list of false friends: actually, eventually, library, sensible, assist (attend)
- Learn phrasal verbs. French usually uses one verb where English uses a phrasal verb
- Use cognates in formal writing, but check the meaning first
- Learn collocations: "make a mistake" not "do a mistake", "pay attention" not "make attention"
- Note different spellings of shared words: address (adresse), example (exemple)
- Read English widely to see how shared words are really used
Exam Strategies
- In writing, avoid copying French sentence structures
- Use phrasal verbs to sound more natural
- In speaking, practice the "h" sound and the "th" sound
- In speaking, stress the right syllable. English stress often falls on the first syllable
- Check "for" and "since" in every text you write
- Watch for French-influenced word order errors
Courage ! Votre connaissance du français vous donne une base solide pour maîtriser l'anglais.