5 Practical Ways to Learn French in Brussels Without Taking a Single Class
If you’re an expat or EU professional in Brussels, you’ve probably noticed: learning French can be surprisingly hard. Even though you live in Belgium, your day-to-day might revolve around English - meetings, colleagues, documents. Traditional language schools often feel too rigid, slow, or not tailored to your real needs.
So, how can you make real progress in French while juggling a busy schedule?
You don’t need long classes or rigid curriculums. There are simple, practical strategies you can start today - methods that fit naturally into your daily life in Brussels and help you speak French confidently.
Below, I’ll share 5 practical ways to learn French without taking a single class, including tips you can apply immediately and how flexible WhatsApp-based coaching can support your progress along the way.
1. Make the Most of Every Real-Life Opportunity
Instead of just running errands, turn everyday activities into French practice.
Example: Instead of your usual supermarket trip, go to a weekend market and prepare a couple of sentences in advance using any AI tool - greetings, questions about products, or small talk with vendors.
Preparing key phrases
Key Phrases: Prepare a set of useful phrases for real-life situations: ordering at a café, handling simple work interactions, or entering shops to buy something small just to start a conversation. Keep them handy on your phone or in a small notebook, and practice them in real conversations whenever possible.
Why it works: You get to speak about things that really matter to you, which makes the language stick faster and keeps practice interesting. Even short, real conversations reinforce vocabulary, improve pronunciation, and boost confidence.
Pro tip: Combine these moments with daily WhatsApp practice, where you can refine your sentences and get feedback on what you actually said - turning small interactions into real progress.
2. Reinforce Learning with Superfluent
Use Superfluent, an app that teaches French through short, daily audio-based exercises. Listen to authentic sentences, repeat them, and internalize expressions you can actually use.
Why it works: Superfluent combines spaced repetition and listening practice, helping your brain process French naturally. Pairing it with real-life conversations turns passive exposure into active learning.
Discover Superfluent right now - it's free and I'm not an affiliate, just spreading the news about something that will never enjoy Duolingo's hype, unfortunately!
3. Learn French Through Music
Listen to Belgian French-speaking artists like Stromae, Angèle, Pierre de Maere, or Jacques Brel. Singing along or repeating lines in a loop helps you memorize fixed expressions quickly and improves pronunciation.
Why it works: You repeat phrases you actually enjoy, which makes them stick faster. Listening actively trains your ear to French sounds and rhythms, helping you understand native speakers more easily.
4. Immerse Yourself in the City
When you’re on the metro, tram, or walking around Brussels, pay attention to your surroundings. Read signs, menus, posters, and eavesdrop on conversations instead of putting on English music.
Why it works: Exposure to real-life language in context trains your ear and helps you pick up everyday expressions naturally. Over time, this makes understanding people on the street much easier.
5. Connect with Committed French Learners
Look for opportunities to meet other people who are serious about improving their French - friends, colleagues, or language meetups.
Conversation Opportunities:
Brussels Conversation Tables
Au Bassin (every Sunday evening) - find out more on Facebook or Instagram
Good if you're just starting out, since the level is lower on average. The languages practiced are French and Dutch: as participants arrive, the tables are split into two groups. Feel free to come and go at any moment and also to just come and listen if it's too hard.
French Language Meetup
French Language Meetup @ Ibis Hotel off Grand Place (every Tuesday evening)
Better if you can already have some quick chats. The level is higher and there're often native speakers from Belgium or France, which is a huge plus.
In both situations, there’s a mix of newcomers and recurring participants, which allows conversations to develop naturally, rather than starting from scratch every time.
Why it works: Interacting with committed learners keeps you engaged and accountable. You get consistent speaking practice, exchange real-life tips, and build a network that reinforces your learning in everyday life.
Ready to Accelerate Your French?
If you want to take your French learning to the next level, my WhatsApp-based coaching offers daily practice, personalized feedback, and guidance tailored to your goals - without rigid schedules or traditional classes.
Practice French daily, improve your confidence, and make real progress in Brussels life situations. Try a free week of WhatsApp coaching and see how effective flexible, real-life language practice can be!