Written by Gabriela Estrada 

“The thing is, I’ll never be able to pronounce that guttural R. And having to add 60 + 10 to say seventy (soixante-dix) just doesn’t make any sense!”

Anonymous student

I was talking with one of our French teachers after her class, and she told me that her most engaged student had stopped raising his hand. Suddenly, he didn't want to speak anymore or show his homework. He seemed frustrated, as if there were always “something” that paralyzed him with fear.

When she brought it up during their follow-up session, he opened up with complete candor:

“The thing is, I’ll never be able to pronounce that guttural ‘R.’ And having to mentally add 60 + 10 to say seventy (soixante-dix) just doesn’t make sense. I feel like I’m fighting two huge monsters.”

The teacher couldn't help but smile. Not to mock her, but because she knew that behind that knot of frustration lay a wealth of valuable attempts that were already laying the foundation for her fluency.

In this blog, I'll help you understand the logic behind these so-called "monsters"—pronunciation and numbers—so you can turn frustration and laughter into French proficiency without losing your cool along the way.

It all starts with the famous R

In the early stages of learning the language, the famous French "R" appears when pronouncing words such as bonjour, train, prendre, horreur, etc.

You try to pronounce each word, using every possible mouth and tongue movement to get the perfect "R"; you move your hands like Édith Piaf right on stage, you move your body like Pepe Le Pew, but you don’t have any success. 

You feel like you're just making weird noises... like an "e-r-r-r" that’s never going to come out.

Until, amid laughter, impatience, and encouragement, you keep moving forward and realize it’s coming out much more naturally.

But just when you think you've got the "R" down, your teacher surprises you with new material: he teaches you how to count in French. Everything goes great until you get to 70: soixante-dix (60+10), and naturally you get frustrated because this seems to make no sense at all. 

Why are numbers in French so weird?

Starting with issue 60on, French forces you to do a little math. Some numbers are added together, others are multiplied. The logic we’re used to in Spanish disappears completely.

It might feel a little awkward at first, but once you get the hang of this logic, you'll be able to understand market prices, pay your rent without overpaying or going into debt, give the right phone number, and so on.

Decimal and vigesimal systems

Everything goes well up to 60, but 70 is soixante-dix (60 + 10) and makes you add sixty plus ten. Simple? 

Wait and see what happens next...

80 is quatre-vingts (4 × 20). Here, the language dictates that you multiply. At this point, you’re probably wondering, “Do I really have to review my multiplication tables to learn a language?” and you keep complaining. 

The climax of numerical madness comes with 99, which is quatre-vingt-dix-neuf (4 × 20 + 10 + 9).

Once you finally manage to understand, say, and apply this entire equation without stumbling, you're left with only two options: 

1. laugh at your own misfortune and decide whether to keep discovering what other oddities French has in store for you... or 
2. Give it a try and learn another language.

In France and Canada—particularly in the province of Quebec—this strange hybrid system.

It is not a form of torture invented by French teachers; rather, it has an ancient historical explanation. The French inherited a combination of the decimal system (from the Romans) and the vigesimal system (from the ancient Celts and Gauls, who counted using their fingers and toes).

Not everyone in the French-speaking world follows this rule. Countries such as Belgium and Switzerland still use the decimal system we're all familiar with. 

As of 100 and up, the system becomes much more logical and purely decimal, since the rule of counting in "twenties" only applies to numbers from 60 to 99. 

Don't panic: Don't let panic set in!

Let's be honest: when we start learning French, we're full of enthusiasm, but as we progress, the pronunciation and logic of the numbers come into play to test us. 

Many people make the mistake of seeing that obstacle as a hindrance, when in reality it is the clearest sign that the brain is rewiring itself.

The difference between staying stuck and moving forward isn't about not making mistakes, but about learning to laugh at the process. Laughing when a number sounds like an equation to us or when a vowel comes out strange is the best way to let go of our stiffness, overcome our shyness, and allow ourselves to speak.

That's the French for you…

Every learner of French, including our teachers, has experienced the frustration of not understanding the structure of the new language, but with constant study and practice , they have overcome it without letting their fear become so overwhelming that it drove them away. Today, they are successful bilinguals capable of communicating fluently in French.

Pronunciation and numbers may seem daunting at first, but once we understand where their rules come from and appreciate what we've accomplished with each attempt, all that's left is to to move forward without fear.

So keep repeating the letter R until it flows, keep adding numbers until you reach 100, use your hands, your feet, your whole mind, and make frustration and laughter part of the process. 

Everything will be fine if you realize that no language is easy right off the bat—you just have to figure it out and trust the guidance of those who have already conquered their own demons.

Learn with us

We are the first English and French language school focused on immigration to Canada. We offer online classes with flexible schedules. 

We are accredited by Languages Canada, and our teachers are certified to use the best teaching methods to help you improve your language skills while you go through the immigration process.

At Planeta Immiland Education, we believe that learning a language is much more than just studying grammar.

It means preparing yourself to communicate with confidence, connect with people from different cultures, and take advantage of the opportunities that arise in an increasingly globalized world.

That's why we offer programs designed to support you at every stage of your journey:

🍁 English and French courses.

📚 Preparation for international exams.

🎓 Programs focused on academic and immigration goals.

🌎 Conversation activities to build your confidence in real-life situations.

Visit our online academy and find out which program is right for you: https://www.planeta-immiland-education.com/ 

If this article inspired you, share it with those who dream of traveling, studying, working, or simply connecting with people from all over the world.

Remember: Mistakes are the clearest sign that the brain is rewiring itself.

See you in the next blog post, where we'll continue to explore how languages can open the door to new international experiences and opportunities!

With love, 

Planeta Immiland Education