When you stop practising a second language like French, you may notice that words become harder to recall, sentences feel more difficult to form, and your fluency starts to fade. This gradual loss of language ability is known as second language attrition. It happens when we stop actively using a language we once knew. Although this can be frustrating, understanding what happens can help us prevent it.
Why Does Language Attrition Happen?
Research shows that several factors affect how quickly and to what extent you may forget a second language. Below, we examine the effects of no longer using your second language.
Speaking and Writing Are More Vulnerable
Production skills—such as speaking and writing—tend to decline more rapidly than comprehension skills like listening and reading. This is because speaking and writing require more active effort, involving recall and formulation of thoughts, whereas understanding a language through listening or reading is a more passive process.
Fluency Is Often the First to Go
One of the clearest signs of language attrition is a decrease in fluency. You may find yourself hesitating more often, struggling to find the right words, or lacking confidence when speaking.
A Reddit user, ipoftheiceberg1234, shared their experience with losing fluency in Slavic languages after university:
"I took a bunch of Slavic languages in university, all of which except for my heritage language were never learned to fluency. Now, as much as I try, I don’t have an opportunity to speak them and, on top of them atrophying, I’ll mix them together which only causes further language anxiety. I used to be able to understand Russian news. Now when I look at Russian, I have to remind myself I learned it."
This anecdote highlights how quickly fluency can fade without consistent practice and how language anxiety can further hinder progress.
Reading Helps You Maintain Your Language
Regular reading in your second language is one of the best ways to prevent attrition. Literacy plays a crucial role in long-term language retention by helping you keep vocabulary and structures fresh in your mind.
Vocabulary Fades Faster Than Grammar
Interestingly, according to studies, vocabulary is more vulnerable to attrition than grammar. While you may remember how to construct correct sentences, you might struggle to recall the specific words needed to fill them in.
As I’ve been learning Basque, I’ve noticed how quickly I forget vocabulary from the earlier chapters of my book if I don't use it often. To prevent this, I make a conscious effort to revise these words, particularly through flashcards and other revision techniques. I am also aware that if I don’t do any exercises or revision every week and most days of the week, I start to regress and after putting in so much effort to progress, regressing is not an option I contemplate!
Motivation Matters
Your motivation plays a crucial role in both language learning and maintenance. If you have a strong personal or professional reason to keep using your second language, you are far more likely to retain it.
Motivation can stem from various sources—personal interests, career goals, or the joy of connecting with other cultures. Staying motivated means reminding yourself why you wanted to learn the language in the first place, and finding new reasons to keep going. Setting small, achievable goals and celebrating milestones along the way can also help you stay engaged. If you’re struggling to stay motivated, joining a structured course with regular milestones might make all the difference.
Reflecting on my own experience, I started learning Spanish at age 13 and continued until I was 20. After my second year at university, I stopped because I lacked enjoyment. The textbooks I used didn’t capture my interest, the lessons felt dull, and I didn’t have any Spanish-speaking friends or acquaintances. Most importantly, I had never set any meaningful goals for my learning journey. Years later, I realised why learning Spanish mattered to me, and as a result, I now have an advanced level.
One Reddit user, MazerBamdav, described how they lost fluency in German after moving to the U.S. as a child:
"My mom tried everything to get me to speak German, but I refused. It wasn’t until high school that I became interested in returning to my German. By then, I had forgotten most of it. Pronunciation wasn’t a problem. I found that it wasn’t until I spent multiple summers in Germany with the express purpose of reacquiring the language that I regained fluency."
This story also underscores the importance of motivation when it comes to regaining lost language skills.
Beginners Are More Likely to Forget
Beginners and lower intermediate students are more likely to lose their French language skills compared to advanced speakers. The more deeply you learn a language, the more resistant it becomes to attrition. If you’re just starting, it’s important to stay consistent. Beginners who stop practising often forget a large portion of what they have learned, while advanced learners tend to retain more over time. Even small, consistent habits can make it much easier to pick up where you left off if you take a break from your studies.
FemaleEinstein, another Reddit user, shared her experience of losing and regaining Dutch:
"I actually found out that I knew a lot passively. However, after moving to the UK, it was just stored away far down into my brain and unused. My advice is just to keep listening and speaking wherever you can. Studies have shown that kids with language attrition do not completely lose it; they mostly forget vocabulary, but the grammar and word order are easier for them to recall than for total beginners."
Her experience highlights that much of what you learn is retained in your brain and can be reactivated with regular exposure.
Re-Learning Is Faster Than Starting from Scratch
The good news is that if you lose some of your second language, re-learning it is often faster than learning it the first time. Monika S. Schmid, in her paper published by Cambridge University Press, The Final Frontier? Why We Have Been Ignoring Second Language Attrition and Why It Is Time We Stopped, writes:
"Anyone who has ever learned a foreign language, regardless of how long ago it was or how little they used it, retains a hidden treasure trove of knowledge that is only waiting to be made available for use once more. But most people are not aware of this."
This means that even if you feel like you have forgotten everything, much of what you once knew is still there, just waiting to be reawakened through practice.
When you return to a language after a break, familiar sounds, patterns, and vocabulary often come back surprisingly quickly. This "hidden knowledge" means that the time and effort you invested in learning the language hasn’t gone to waste. You simply need to reactivate it through consistent practice.
How to Prevent Language Attrition
If you want to maintain your second language, here are some practical steps you can take:
Stay Motivated:
Find personal reasons to maintain and improve your language skills—whether for travel, cultural interest, or professional growth. Clear, meaningful goals will keep you focused and motivated. Here are some examples to inspire you:
I have French-speaking family members and want to communicate with them more easily.
I have French friends and want to strengthen our connection through better communication.
I live in France and want to navigate daily life more comfortably.
I work in a company in France and want to improve communication with my colleagues.
I work for a French company and would like to relocate to France.
I visit France for holidays or own a second home there and want to interact more confidently.
I’m passionate about the French language and want to deepen my understanding of French literature and films.
By identifying goals that matter to you, you will find it easier to stay consistent and engaged with your learning journey.
2. Speak Regularly:
Regular conversation practice is essential for maintaining fluency. Even casual chats can reinforce your fluency.
3. Write Frequently:
Writing regularly keeps your productive skills active. Establishing clear and achievable writing goals is key to making progress. Begin with manageable tasks, such as writing a paragraph each day, and gradually move toward larger projects. This step-by-step method helps you stay motivated and focused on developing your writing skills.
4. Read Often:
Engaging with books, articles, and even social media in your second language will help maintain your vocabulary and comprehension.
Choosing the right book—considering both length and level—is key to retaining a language. According to Chang (2009), listening to an audiobook while reading improves vocabulary, recognition skills, and listening fluency. Reading in French also deepens cultural understanding, enhances grammar through context, and strengthens pronunciation when read aloud. With consistent effort, these habits not only expand your language skills but also boost confidence and critical thinking.
You can also explore curated reading lists for different levels on my blog:
5. Use Media:
Engage with a variety of French media to stay connected and reinforce your skills. Watch French films and TV shows to improve listening comprehension and become familiar with everyday speech patterns and cultural references. Listening to French podcasts exposes you to different accents, speeds, and topics, helping you develop listening fluency. Following French news keeps you informed while expanding your vocabulary, especially with current events and formal language. By incorporating media into your routine, you maintain regular exposure to the language in a natural, engaging way.
6. Continued Learning Supports Retention
Ongoing exposure to and education in your second language is key to preventing or slowing down attrition. Regular practice through one-to-one classes, conversations, and media keeps your skills sharp.
La Classe offers a variety of courses and conversation groups designed to help you maintain and improve your French. Whether you want to refresh your skills, practice speaking regularly, or improve your writing, there’s a course for you. By enrolling, you will stay connected to the language and receive ongoing support. Find out more about La Classe French classes and courses.
You don’t always have to engage with French language lessons. You can also stay connected to French by immersing yourself in topics you’re passionate about—like photography, for example. I’ve been enjoying online photography courses in both Spanish and English. This allows me to practice the language in a context I love, keeping my motivation high while reinforcing my skills.
Explore Your Interests Through MOOCs:
MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) offer a great way to engage with topics you enjoy while practicing your French. Whether you’re passionate about art, history, or science, these free courses provide access to expert knowledge and interactive learning. For example, Les MOOCs culturels de la Fondation Orange (mooc-culturels.fondationorange.com) offer courses on French culture, including art history and heritage. Meanwhile, France Université Numérique (fun-mooc.fr) provides a wide range of subjects—from literature to environmental science—allowing you to explore new areas while strengthening your language skills.
Conclusion
Language attrition is a natural process, but with regular practice and a bit of dedication, you can protect and even strengthen your French language skills over time. The key is to stay engaged and keep using the language regularly in meaningful, enjoyable ways. Whether it’s through reading, watching films, joining conversation groups, or exploring online courses, maintaining consistent contact with French will help you retain what you’ve learned and continue to grow in fluency and confidence.
You May Also Like:
