Summer is here. Work slows down, vacation time kicks in, and let’s be honest—your French practice might take a back seat. And that’s perfectly fine.

But if you’re like many adult professionals, you might worry about losing everything you’ve worked so hard to build. After all the time and effort you’ve invested, it would be a shame to let your French skills fade.

The solution? Mini daily challenges.

No textbooks, no pressure—just quick and meaningful French practice that keeps your mind engaged. Each challenge takes 10 minutes or less, and you can do it at home, at work, or even on vacation.

Why Mini Challenges Work

These challenges are grounded in proven language learning principles:

• Spaced repetition helps store knowledge in long-term memory
• Low mental load makes it easier to stay consistent, even after a long day
• Contextual learning helps anchor new expressions in real-life situations

Most importantly, they’re flexible. Do them with your morning coffee, during your lunch break, or on a walk. What matters is showing up—daily—in French.

Your 7-Day Challenge (Repeat Weekly!)

Here’s a simple plan to get you started. Feel free to repeat it, swap the days around, or customize it to fit your lifestyle.

🗓️ Day 1: Describe Your Morning Routine (Out Loud preferably or in Your Head)

As you get ready for the day, narrate what you’re doing—in French.

Je me lève. Je prends une douche. Je prépare un café. Je vérifie mes courriels. Je pars travailler.

Don’t worry about grammar—this is about building a habit of thinking in French from the start of your day.

💡 Tip: Record yourself and listen back later to notice improvements.

🗓️ Day 2: Listen to 5 Minutes of Quebec French Audio

Choose a short podcast or audio clip from Quebec. Here are a few great options:

🎧 Suggestions:

• Balados – Radio-Canada: Choose from a variety of subjects
• Balados – Urbania – Current affairs from Montreal and Quebec with interviews

💡 Goal: Don’t try to understand every word. Focus on tone, emotion, and key phrases.

🗓️ Day 3: Write a 5-Sentence Email (Real or Imaginary)

Write a short email to a colleague or friend. Choose a simple topic—your weekend plans, the weather, working from home.

Example:

Salut Jean,
Cette semaine, je travaille de la maison. Il fait beau, alors je vais marcher après le travail. Et toi, comment ça va ?
À bientôt,
Karine

💡 Bonus: Use Antidote Web or another tool to self-correct.

🗓️ Day 4: Watch a Short Quebec Video Clip (No Subtitles First!)

Choose a 2–3 minute video from a Quebec-based show. Watch it once without subtitles, then a second time with them to check comprehension.

📺 Suggestions:

• Décoloniser l’histoire – Short, powerful episodes on history from underrepresented perspectives
• La fièvre des festivals – Behind-the-scenes of iconic Quebec festivals (Francos, Carnaval, etc.)
• Cette année-là – Pop culture review show with smart humour and Quebec references

💡 Tip: Write down 2–3 new words or expressions you hear.

🗓️ Day 5: Describe 3 Objects Around You

Pick three objects nearby and describe their size, color, texture, function, and where they are.

Voici mon clavier. Il est noir, compact et sans fil. Je l’utilise tous les jours pour travailler.

💡 Variation: Use the same three objects tomorrow to create a short silly story.

🗓️ Day 6: Pick One Verb and Say It Out Loud

Choose one high-frequency verb (like faire, prendre, mettre) and conjugate it aloud in the present tense or other tense you wish to practice. Then use it in 3 everyday phrases.

Je mets mon manteau. Tu mets du sucre dans ton café ? On met toujours les clés sur la table.

💡 Tip: Use verbs relevant to your job—envoyer, vérifier, préparer, gérer.

🗓️ Day 7: Talk to Yourself While Doing a Simple Task

While cooking, organizing, or walking, narrate your actions in French.

Je coupe les légumes. Je mets du sel. Je mélange. Ça sent bon !

💡 Fun twist: Use exaggerated emotions—excited, dramatic, annoyed—to help phrases stick.

Make It Yours—and Keep It Going

Repeat this cycle each week, or mix and match with your own interests:

• Into fitness? Describe your workouts in French
• Love to cook? Narrate your recipes
• Prefer journaling? Write one sentence a day in French about how you’re feeling

The point isn’t perfection—it’s keeping the connection with French alive and joyful.

Conclusion: Small Steps, Real Results

In French, there’s a saying: “Petit à petit, l’oiseau fait son nid.”

Little by little, the bird builds its nest.

That’s what these micro-challenges do for your brain. They help you maintain—and even grow—your fluency without adding pressure to your summer.

Just 10 minutes a day keeps you on track, improves confidence, and turns French into a natural part of your life.

Want Personalized Help This Summer?

We offer flexible, one-on-one tutoring, even during the summer months.

Our tutors can build custom challenges based on your level, your schedule, and your career goals.

👉 Book a free consultation with our team →