Study French
Posted by admin on March 18, 2010study french
Learning to Speak French: Which Method is Right For You?
So what is the best way to learn French? The answer to that question isn’t so simple–you really need to follow your own learning path in order to find success. When you decide to take the first step, you will most likely choose one of the following French learning methods:
- French language software
- take lessons from a private tutor
- enroll in French class
- take part in a language swap program
- immersion in a French-speaking country such as France or Belgium
- language-learning textbooks or audio lessons
Start your journey on the right foot by asking yourself the following questions:
“Do I want to study French by myself, or do I want to interact with other students or teachers? Can I stay disciplined and motivated, or would I benefit from outside guidance to keep me on track? What kind of budget am I looking at?”
Your main course of study will most likely be either self-learning or a classroom/tutoring situation.
Here’s a look at the various pros and cons of the three best ways to learn French:
Private Tutoring:
Pros: The best way to learn French deeply and thoroughly (other than total French immersion) is to hire a private tutor. The individualized attention is invaluable because the tutor will work with you from the level where you are at, and help you learn new material at your ideal pace. Ideally, with a private tutor, you have the opportunity to hear a native French speaker pronounce words and form sentences.
Cons: You may end up spending a lot of money on private tutoring, as effective teachers are going to be expensive and in-demand.
Signing up for a French class:
Pros: In a French class, you have the benefit of a French-speaking teacher (who most likely is a native speaker). In a class, you get the opportunity to both hear spoken French and speak French aloud yourself–certainly one of the best ways to learn French is by interacting with your teacher other students who are on the same path as you. Being surrounded with other students who are learning French can really help motivate and energize you, too.
Cons: Taking a class is also very expensive, depending on what type of program it is and where it is. Also, by being in a class, you end up learning French at a pace comfortable with all other students, so it’s not nearly as efficient as private tutoring.
Learning On Your Own:
Pros: Most folks looking to learn French will opt for self-study, which makes sense: It is generally the cheapest option and can fit into any type of schedule. There’s no shortage of materials available if you’re considering the self-study route: French learning software galore, textbooks, videos, podcasts, flash cards, etc.
Cons: Obviously, you need extreme self-motivation in order to learn French fast and effectively through self-study. You need to set your own schedule and try to avoid frustration…this option is clearly not for everyone. You also lack the teacher-student interaction that can often solidify what you’ve learned.
No matter which method you choose to kick start your French learning, keep the following tips in mind to ensure that you learn the language thoroughly:
* K.I.S.S. — Keep it simple, stupid! Don’t try to swim in the deep end with all the complicated grammar and vocabulary before you have a grasp on the basics. It’s a recipe for disaster and frustration. Stay motivated by learning and re-learning all the common words and phrases first. If you ever feel overwhelmed or lost, retrace your steps and go back to easier lessons until you’ve really absorbed the necessary material.
* Speaking and even thinking in French will really help you out. It can be easy to people to overlook the oral aspect of learning French, especially they study on their own. They put so much effort into memorization and listening that they miss out on the crucial element of speaking and conversing in the language.
* Get comfortable not only hearing and reading, but also writing French. Writing in another language gets you over the misspelling humps, and strongly helps information retention.
I’ll stress again that you really need to throw yourself whole-heartedly into the learning process. This dedication will be the key to thoroughly absorbing the French language. Never lose sight of the ultimate goals when you stumble.
Learning to speak French will be a challenge, but it will also be extremely rewarding! Hopefully this article has helped you determine the best way to learn French! In a couple months, you may be well on your way to speaking French with confidence.
About the Author
Mark Medlen is a lover of the French language, plain and simple. Check out his website, Learn French Online Fast, for many more articles, software reviews, and detailed French lessons for beginners!
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