What is the best way to improve my oral fluency in French?

There are many facets to learning to speak a foreign language fluently. It is not a quick process but there are many ways you can go about facilitating improving your French fluency.Without a doubt, immersing yourself in the language is key. If you can, take part in a French exchange during the school holidays. Perhaps you can find out if your school offers any connections or if parents or family friends know of any students abroad you could start up a 'pen pal' connection with, and later travel out to stay with. While living in a French-speaking household, even for just a week, your French will come on in leaps and bounds. It is also important to throw yourself into situations where you will need to use the language, so when you visit France, grasp every opportunity you have to get chatting to locals, be it in a cafe or when buying something in a shop. Aside from travelling to France, I would highly recommend reading the news and magazines in French, or listening to French radio in the background while doing other tasks. It seems tricky at first, but as you become accustomed to listening to French, even if it's just in the background, you will understand more and more. Not only will your French improve, but you will become more culturally aware and up-to-date with current affairs in France.Also, while at school I used to enjoy chatting with my French-studying peers in the language during break or lunchtimes. This helps a lot as you can get some real practice in this way every day.Acquiring varied vocabulary and good grammar are obviously crucial elements of speaking a language fluently, and I would definitely say that working on broadening these aspects little and often, perhaps just for 20 minutes a day, is the best way to go about it and ensure you continue to find it enjoyable.Finally, in order to sound fluent, you will need to adopt French speech tendencies, such as French fillers to use while you are thinking of how to proceed. Such words include "alors", "euh", "bref" and "en fait". Little and often and practice makes perfect with a language. Over time, it will become natural and flow easily. Speak French as much as you can, surround yourself with the language, grasp every opportunity to travel to France, and make use of your French-speaking friends around you to get in the daily practice.