I can read and speak French pretty well. But understanding spoken French, forget it, unless you are sure of the context. Plus French speakers use a lot of slang.
I’d guess this is true of most languages. For me, it’s relatively easy to follow grammar rules and speak, but comprehending spoken language is another thing entirely.
All true. FR seems spoken one way and written another. German - very structured .... know the rules, learn the vocabulary, plug it in and let it rip.
It wasn’t until I lived (immersed) for a year in Quebec “thinking (hence hearing and speaking) in French” kicked in. If one learned Parisian-FR from a text book or guidebook, Can-FR natives would (im)politely “help” me. Got to love that French pride.