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Learn French Articles: Learn Basic French - Our Top Tips Rocket French Software - the best French learning choice? Turn French words into conversations Let's Learn French - Fast and Fun 5 things you need most in your French software program Learn to Speak French Fluently - simple steps to guarantee success |
Learn Basic French – Our Top Tips Our first tip is not to let it worry you! It's actually not too hard to learn basic French and the French people will reward you with kindness and generosity if you make the attempt. Almost always they are genuinely flattered that you have tried - you can't do a more polite thing. You may get the occasional funny look because they don't quite understand your pronunciation but between you you'll very likely get your meaning across. Yes, it's scary to try and might sometimes be a little embarrassing for you but the rewards are well worth it. But let's get back to the actual subject - to learn basic French. I'm not sure what your definition is but for me basic French is French that will get you by in most situations - like getting a nice fresh bagette, filling the car with gas, getting a drink and a meal at one of those lovely street cafés. If that's the sort of basic French you're looking for you can learn it in no time at all if you're prepared to give it a bit of a go. As I said on the first page, I’m an Englishman and I live and work full-time in France. When I moved here a couple of years ago it was nearly thirty years since I'd learned any basic French at school so it was really a whole new start. I wouldn't say I'm fluent yet, but I get by fine in a very rural area with few toursists and no English speakers in the nearby village. The only person I regularly speak English to is my wife, so I feel well qualified to help you if you're at the basic French level. I'm not a teacher but I have good first-hand knowledge of the French that's used in practical, every day situations. Real-world French, if you like. So here are my top seven tips if you want to learn basic French: 1. Get along to some French lessons. Some people can afford a personal tutor - and that's excellent - but not an option for most of us. Lots of schools and colleges give French evening classes and although you may not be keen on the “back to school” approach you can’t beat proper lessons with a French-speaking teacher. The number one option is if the teacher is actually French - always better than someone who isn't a native. 2. Have a look at the many home study courses. You can get these on CD, DVD, MP3 or direct download and some of them are superb. Not only will you learn basic French but you'll soon find yourself taking on situations that you would hardly have thought possible just a few weeks before. 3. Do a search for some of the French courses online. A couple of minutes with Google should find you plenty. These really are usually very basic and you'll soon want to move on to other methods but they're a start - and they're free. 4. Find a couple of good old-fashioned books on basic French. Go to your local library or buy them online. CDs, MP3s and other modern learning systems are great but there's something about sitting down quietly with a book that increases your learning. Definitely to be used in onjunction with other French learning methods but not to be missed. 5. Get a pad and a pencil and write stuff down. If you're taking lessons you'll be doing this anyway, but if you're not, try writing stuff down that you get from your CD or download course. I have no idea how or why it works but writing down what you're learning dramatically increases retention. 6. Give it a regular shot. If you're serious about your desire to learn basic French, be structured about it. Half an hour in the morning and half an hour at night. Or Tuesday afternoons. Or whatever best suits your personal schedule - but make it a part of a schedule not "oh I'll do some a bit later". 7. Absolutely without doubt the best way to learn basic French is to visit France. OK, I know it's not cheap - and I really do suggest you use some of the other methods first, but there is nothing bettter and no faster way to learn French than amongst the French people. It's also a great place to come! Now I don't expect you to use all seven tips but if your goal is to learn basic French as quickly as possible then a combination of things will certainly help you. Mixing different disciplines also stops you getting bored and you're never going to learn well if you think it's dull. On the other hand, if you're enjoying it you'll be delighted with how fast you'll get ahead. I hope you have fun with it. Maybe we'll see you over here some day soon. |
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