Do you want to get the most out of your language course? Do you want to get an A in French class? I know a thing or two after taking my fair share of French courses. Here are some universal tips to help you become successful.

Attending class and studying is only HALF the battle

Studying and going to class is the basis of getting an A in French class, but if you genuinely want to be successful and learn the language, then this is not enough.

Take, for example, my fifth-year high school French class of 25 students. Did all of us want A’s? Yes. But how many of us still use French to this day? Probably 3-4 of us. In fact, some of the people in my class barely remember anything five years later.

Don’t let that be you. If you spend valuable time learning something, don’t let it go to waste.

Keep in mind that there’s more to French than a grade. A whole culture and history stand behind the language, so until you can appreciate that or want to experience it with others, your language class is fruitless.

Make your language course mean more to you than a grade or a course needed to complete for high school. – John Elkhoury

Tell yourself that some people wish somebody could teach them another language, and you take it for granted. Trust me, I’ve encountered plenty of people who wanted me to teach them French, my mother being the first of them. It’s truly an opportunity.

So don’t just physically go to class. That isn’t enough. Don’t just pray for an A, either. Instead, go mentally prepared, meaning be ready to pay attention and follow the discussions, or else you might as well have stayed home.

How do you do it for the knowledge?

Playing off the “don’t do it for the grade” ideology, how can you make your language course meaningful? Well, those who are motivated by internal goals (like the desire to learn new things) do better and learn more than those who are externally motivated (I want a good grade).

If you’re not in a language course because you’re interested in learning it, then change your outlook.

Tell yourself you want to go to France. A less extreme option would be to say you want to understand French music, watch a French movie, or even read a crêpe recipe in French. The possibilities are numerous.

Get a few classmates or natives together, grab a coffee, and expand your language skills outside of the classroom. Give what you learn some meaning other than memorizing the purple vocabulary box on page 33. Languages are about communication, so find some people to communicate with!

Show the teacher you care

Outside of the subject matter, the best way to be successful in French and to get an A is to show your teacher that you actually care about the material.

Let me diffuse a common association; no, this does not mean you have to be the teacher’s pet. You don’t have to sit in the first row and answer every question until your classmates dislike you.

Yet, showing interest in learning the language (showing up to class & asking questions) motivates your teacher to help you and the class more. Even the meanest teachers will soften up a bit if you tell them you plan on going somewhere to use what they taught you. If your professor is French, you’re showing that you care about their origins! If not, you are still saying that their profession (teaching) and subject matter (French) are useful to some aspect of your life.

Teachers who like you tend to be more lenient in their grading when they figure you deserve a good grade.

I taught English classes in France. Which of my students were treated better? Students who didn’t answer questions, refused to do the assignments, and ignored lessons you toiled hours over to prepare? Or students who happily participated, asked questions when confused, and worked diligently when needed?

It’s common sense.

Even though both groups of students were graded fairly, I would probably go into more in-depth explanations with the enthusiastic bunch. Or maybe some of their questions would start a great discussion that better prepared their class to ace the next exam. There are many factors at play. Contribute to a positive learning environment, and you’ll be rewarded with more French, making acing that French class easier.

I was lucky that all my language teachers were very friendly, social, and passionate about what they did. But even if you don’t have one of those teachers, it is still worth a shot to show them you care. Sometimes, teachers get lost in the profession and lose the spark that drove them to become teachers in the first place. Maybe you can help rekindle that spark.

Go up to your professor after class, introduce yourself, and tell them why you’re there, even if it’s as cheesy as “One day I hope to see Paris.” You’ll notice how they open up to and treat you differently because they want to see you succeed.

Those are my classroom tactics for getting an A in French class. We continue the discussion by discussing why lazy language students never succeed.