Written by the academic team at Koyot Academy, language school in Mislata, Valencia.
French has a reputation for being elegant but tricky. The truth is, it’s full of quirks that make it far more approachable (and fun) to learn than you’d think. Here are a few facts you probably didn’t know, plus a few reasons it’s worth learning right here in Valencia.
1. Nearly 30% of English comes from French
Thanks to the Norman conquest of England in 1066, thousands of French words made their way into English. If you speak English, you already know hundreds of French words without realising it: restaurant, menu, hotel, ballet, chef… the list goes on.
2. It’s an official language in 29 countries
French isn’t just spoken in France — it’s official in Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, much of West Africa and beyond. It’s the second most studied language in the world after English, and one of the official languages of the UN, the EU and the International Olympic Committee.
Learning French doesn’t just open the door to France — it connects you with over 320 million speakers across five continents.
— Organisation internationale de la Francophonie
3. Silence has its own rules
In French, many final letters aren’t pronounced on their own, but they still shape how the next word sounds — the famous “liaison”. It’s a bit like an audio puzzle, and once it clicks, it starts to sound almost musical.
4. There’s a word for (almost) everything
Did you know there’s a French word for “the feeling of enjoying food so much you want more even when you’re full”? It’s “gourmandise”. French is famous for having wonderfully specific words for everyday feelings, which makes it a surprisingly expressive language.
5. You don’t need to master grammar before you start speaking
One of the biggest myths is that you need to know all the grammar rules before daring to speak. With the communicative method we use at Koyot Academy, most students are holding simple conversations — introducing themselves, ordering food, asking for directions — within just a few weeks.
Why learn French at Koyot Academy?
At our French school in Mislata (Valencia), you learn with native teachers, in small groups, using a fully communicative method — from day one you’re practising real conversation, not just theory. Whether you want French for work, travel or simply because you love the language, we have a group that matches your level.
