If you're wanting to type the accents, you have to 'add' that language's keyboard. The process is very simple. Assuming that you are using Windows operating system follow these steps:
1. Click on the start button in the bottom left-hand corner
2. 'Control Panel'
3. Under 'Classic View' click on Regional and Language Options
4. Click on the tab 'Keyboards and Languages'
5. 'Change Keyboards'
6. Another window should pop-up. Under the 'General' tab click on the 'Add' button and select you keyboard of choice.
**NOTE: Under the tab 'Advanced Key Settings' you can see/change/add hotkeys to easily change between input languages. The default hotkey to change should be 'left alt + shift'.
You may also notice a small button near the bottom right corner of your screen that looks like a keyboard. There you may also change/add different input languages.
Hope this helps!