Should I Learn French If I’m Currently Learning Spanish and Have a Trip to France Planned for Mid-2021?

Planning a trip to France in mid-2021 for your friend's birthday might prompt you to ponder whether to continue learning Spanish or switch to French. Here are several factors to consider as you make your decision.

Travel Experience

Knowing some French can significantly enhance your travel experience, especially in touristy areas where familiarity with the language can be a game-changer. Basic phrases can go a long way in helping you navigate, make orders at restaurants, and interact with locals.
Even if English is widely understood in touristy areas like Paris, having some basic French can make your trip more enjoyable and authentic. It can help you in situations where handwritten menus and maps are common, or when you want to engage with friendly shopkeepers and waiters.

Language Similarities: Spanish and French

Spanish and French are both Romance languages, which means they share many similarities in vocabulary and grammar. If you already have a solid foundation in Spanish, you might find the transition to French smoother. Some common words and grammatical structures are similar, which can help reduce the learning curve.
For instance, both languages use diacritical marks (accents) to modify word meanings, and they both originate from Latin. This shared heritage can make it easier for Spanish speakers to pick up French.
While some vocabulary is recognizable, it's important to note that there are differences, especially in formal and athletic terms. Nevertheless, the knowledge you've acquired in Spanish will make learning French more manageable and less overwhelming.

Time Commitment

Given that your trip to France is planned for mid-2021, you have a relatively short period to prepare. However, this doesn’t mean you should abandon your Spanish studies entirely. Even if you don’t master a full range of conversational skills, you can still pick up key phrases and basic conversational elements in French. While learning a new language is an ongoing process, focusing on a few essential phrases can be more beneficial in a short-term context. You can gradually introduce French into your daily routine, ensuring that you don’t lose your Spanish proficiency in the meantime. This balanced approach can be a sustainable way to prepare for your trip while maintaining your existing language skills.

Long-Term Goals

Reflect on your long-term language goals. If you see yourself continuing to learn languages, having a basic knowledge of both Spanish and French can be advantageous. Mastering one language often provides insights and strategies that can benefit your learning of others.
By building a foundation in multiple languages, you can develop better language learning habits and techniques, which can enhance your overall linguistic flexibility. This approach can also provide you with broader cultural perspectives, making your future language-learning journey more enriching and enjoyable.

Strategic Balancing of Languages

If you are currently focused on Spanish, you can continue to study it while gradually introducing French into your routine. This gradual shift can help you prepare for your trip without completely abandoning your Spanish studies.
For instance, you can start with some French travel vocabulary and conversation practice in the weeks leading up to your trip. This way, you can build a basic understanding of French without neglecting your Spanish. Many language learning apps and online resources offer travel-specific vocabulary, which can be a practical and effective way to integrate both languages into your study routine.

Using Your Spanish as a Foundation

It’s often more efficient to leverage the skills you already have. Since you already have a foundation in Spanish, you can use this as a jumping-off point for learning French. This approach can be psychologically and practically beneficial, as you have a familiar starting point. Additionally, you can use your Spanish knowledge to learn vocabulary and sentence structures by observing patterns and similarities. This comparative method can reinforce your understanding of both languages and make the learning process more intuitive and enjoyable.

In summary, it’s not a waste of time to learn some French, especially for your upcoming trip to France. However, you don’t necessarily need to abandon Spanish entirely. You can balance both languages based on your interests and time availability.
By integrating French into your study routine and maintaining your Spanish skills, you can make the most of your preparation for the trip. This balanced approach allows you to enjoy the benefits of both languages and enhance your overall travel experience.