If you’re still having trouble understanding spoken French, it probably comes down to two things: a need to increase your vocabulary and a (great) need for more listening practice.
As you’re learning new vocabulary, try not to fall into the trap of wanting to concentrate only on vocabulary unique to Quebec French. If you listen to a regular conversation, you’ll notice that the amount of vocabulary unique to Quebec is probably quite small overall.
Yes, Quebec French has vocabulary unique to it, and it has its own accent. But when I come across a learner struggling to understand French, it’s very often not with the parts of it that are unique to Quebec French but with French in general.
This is why so much of what’s on this blog isn’t necessarily French that’s unique to Quebec, but conversational French in general.
Increase your vocabulary through exposure to French. I’ll never be able to stress enough how important it is to get a lot of listening exposure. The best way of course is to listen and take part in real conversations (if you can do this every day, you’ll make very fast progress), but TV, radio and Internet are good too.
If you have a choice between studying grammar for one hour, studying a vocabulary list for one hour, or listening to one hour of French, I will always say listen to one hour of French. By listening, you will review and learn new grammar and vocabulary without having to dwell on it intentionally, and you’ll train your brain to listen and understand.
If you really want to study grammar every once in a while, then do it. If you’re in love with vocabulary lists, then do it. I don’t feel that either of these things work, but you’re in charge. Just be sure to max out your listening time!
