Learning French

[xud]

After a recent trip to Paris to visit family I returned pretty frustrated at not being able to speak French very well.
I am well aware that the best way to learn is to go and live there but unfortunately, that is not an option at the moment.

I want to know the best way to learn the language.
I'm not sure a private 1 to 1 tutor is within my price range at 30+/hour.

I know a few words from what I can remember from school, some 30 years ago.

I would like to hear from any people that have learned it well and how they did it.

Cheers

Mike

[pdust]

ive not really bothered with french since school but ive picked up loads of sorani from being around people who speak it, its loads easier than trying to study on your own.... this might sound like a stupid idea but if you have facebook try looking for pages/groups of like minded people.... ive had people on there help me with arabic for free in exchange for me helping them brush up their english (*Gigglesplurt*) i wont use skype but if you do you it will be easier ... you may find a language buddy and voila ;)

[murraymints]

by speaking french at every available opportunity..there are some good audio with book type things available...tune your ear in by listening as much as possible..try and join a french language night class for conversation...

[Mosaic]

I got a grade 1 O-level in French - but I couldn't speak it till I started going camping in France. I buy the local french newspaper and read it with a dictionary on hand.

You could look for french sports and news coverage online like http://www.eurosport.fr/football/

There's free stuff online - you could start with

The only way to learn and retain a language is to have to use it on a daily basis so don't beat yourself up about not being fluent - unless you go to live in France.....

[pdust]

flippin heck i didnt say gigglesplurt i said lol with lots of o's in!!!

[Prudie]

Have a look at your local council evening classes, usually quite reasonable. Personally I wouldn't advise the CD type packages (Rosetta Stone etc)unless you use them alongside another method, but we all learn differently.I've gone a long way with RS Spanish and do well in the exercises but can't begin to make a normal conversation in Spain!

[MarkRae]

By far the best way would be, as you say, to live in France. As that's not an option, I would suggest that you enrol in an adult education class. There will almost certainly be one reasonably close to you, and you will benefit from being with other people who have the same goal as you.

E.g.
http://www.citylit.ac...y_for_beginners/LBF06

[Andyvon]

I learned to speak reasonable French simply by going to France regularly over the years for holidays and day trips. As with most countries I've visited I always learn a few basic words before I go - "Yes", "No", "Please", "Thank you" and the numbers from one to ten. I also take a good English/local language dictionary. I then make a point of noticing signs, posters, newspapers, magazines, menus etc then keep referring to my dictionary for words and phrases I don't understand. I always order meals in the local language and look up and learn words and phrases I know I'm going to use soon. Examples are "Can I have the bill please", "How much does that cost please", "A table for two please" etc. Combined with the first basic words I mentioned and the confidence to speak it's surprising how quickly you start to pick up a language. I've also found that locals are generally pleased that you are trying to speak their language and many people will happily help with words and pronunciation.

I never learned much in a classroom and I could only say a few words of French when I first visited France. However, I don't seem to have much problem talking and chatting to people in French now and they seem to understand me. I wouldn't claim to be perfectly fluent but there's little that I don't understand when I'm in France and it's been years since someone screwed their face up and said "Ugh?"

Some people are better at learning languages than others Xud. However, next time you go to France I would suggest learning those basic words and equipping yourself with a good English-French dictionary. Then keep looking up words you see around you and practice words and phrases you know you will use. Then have the confidence to speak to people in French and they will respect you for doing so and help you.

Good luck.

[Tom Braider]

Try the CDs by Michel Thomas.
http://www.200words-a...om/michel-thomas.html

[FredPuli43]

All true about speaking it to learn it. I kept a home in Antibes and found that I spoke the language fluently for all practical purposes from fairly early on in my visits, not because of any exam I'd passed or classes I'd been in, but because you can't help picking up words, phrases and constructions that locals use. You'll find that they correct you without knowing they are doing it. If you ask them a question but get the gender of a noun wrong or make a mistake in construction, they'll repeat the question back to you correctly, if only to check they've understood. After forty years I was completely fluent ! Joking apart, the practical aim was achieved from the start, little by little. Mind, if you are reduced to the extreme of having a home there, your only added benefit is that you learn all the phrases used by French bureaucracy. Holidaymaking is quite enough for an everyday vocabulary!

[bednobs]

so there you go xud - buy a place in antibes and you're laughing

[ladybirder]

I seem to recall that the Michel Thomas CDs recommended by Tom Braider at 21.06 are supposed to be the best. Could have been from Which.

[shoota]

Michel Thomas is very good, also try 'Facon de Parler' which is what we used in my French evening class.

[sandyRoe]

I think there's a French news channel on Virgin Media and Sky. Watching it might help tune your ear to the faster speech.

[shoota]

Thats a good tip from Sandy - I can speak reasonably well but when the locals reply - I'm just lost.
Also I think in French when I'm just sat quietly as practice for live speech.

[boxtops]

Try Rosetta Stone, or the Earworms (which are not at all expensive) as recommended ways to learn a language. I learned French at school, I haven't used it much since, but I'm surprised how much I can get by with when I concentrate.

[naomi24]

I'd recommend a course at your local college. If you did French at school, you already have a grounding in grammar so you're halfway there. You'll be surprised how much you remember once you get going.

[Mongul]

I really think you could benefit from a French learning program like Fluenz or Rosetta Stone. I used Fluenz to learn French. I am still not fluent in French but, I can understand enough to be able to hold a short conversation. Here is a site that talks about the different programs available.

http://www.sirgo.com/best-way-to-learn-french.aspx