Posts Tagged ‘french classes’

We’ll assume the fact that you’re reading this article means you have some interest in speaking French and we’ll further assume that you’re prepared to put some effort into it because learning French requires some work. It can be fun, it can be easier and faster than you probably thought, but if you want to learn to speak French fluently you’re going to have to give it some time.

How much time? Well that really depends on you. The popular approach now – which is successful for good reason – is the immersion technique. Get a French book, go to French classes, get some kind of French learning CD or MP3 so you can study on the move. Some even suggest osmosis – learning while you sleep – by playing French language audio programs through an earpiece.

All of these are valid methods for learning French although I can’t speak personally for the osmosis system (I do think you learn well by playing a French MP3 just before going to bed though). The point here is to immerse yourself in the learning and the French language. To learn French intensively, even to listen to French radio stations or watch French films. I find listening to French news very helpful – you get a good mix of different stories and the subjects are constantly changing. If you have the facility to record them you can play them back with a French to English dictionary at hand. Even if you don’t get all of it, you’ll be surprised how much sinks in if you do it regularly.

This is the essence of the immersion technique and it works very well, but clearly it’s not practical for everyone. The expense involved is a stretch for some, the time commitment is another drawback and the availability of suitable courses can prevent some from taking French classes – though I would urge you to do so if at all possible.

So if we have to make a choice of one style of French learning, which should it be? Not long ago we would have been restricted to either trying to learn from a book, a tape or a class. Now we have the additional resource of the pc and the internet and it’s a revolution in teaching.

For the first time we can buy a single program which will allow us to listen to MP3s in the car, on the train or just walking around. The same program can challenge us with games and puzzles on the PC and give us written exercises as well. It lacks just a physical teacher to be the complete educational resource.

So if you were looking for a single method to learn to speak French fluently I would recommend one of the downloadable systems available online. If you’ve been looking into French CDs you’ll probably have seen price tags in the $300 range but there are much more affordable and more extensive programs available for a third of the price or less.

Author: Dennis Cordy
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Programmable Pressure Cooker

If you want to learn to speak French, you’re probably wondering, “What’s the best way to learn French?” Indeed, there are hundreds of programs out there all promising to help you become fluent in French, but not all of them are worth your time or your hard-earned money. Here are some of the many ways you can learn to speak French fluently; it’s up to you to decide which one is right for your learning type.

1. Plan a vacation to France for at least 2 months. Rent an apartment or join a French language boarding school that will provide you with immersion French language training for 25 hours per week. Costs for boarding, food, tutoring, and travel will surmount $3500-$5000. Not exactly the most economic or wallet-effective option, but for those really wanting to learn French, this is the only way to go.

2. Enroll in French classes at your local community college. This is how I initially began learning French. You might get along with the teacher, or you might not. If they’re not a native-speaking French individual, but rather just a French enthusiast who thinks they can teach, you’re probably not going to learn a whole lot. Plus, after class is over, you’re sure to forget more than you ever learned in the first place.

Cost for French classes at a school for a semester will be the same as what any other college class would cost, plus materials. You might end up spending over $200 just for the class, an extra $50 in learning materials, plus who knows how much money in gas getting to and from school for each lesson. Plus, you’ll be required to study very hard and take some rather dull tests. You might even have to write essays in French in order to pass the class.

3. Learn French from the comfort of your own home. The method I prefer most when learning a new language is Rosetta Stone. After reviewing many of the best French language programs, the best way to learn French, retain what you learn, and become as fluent as possible without actually living in the native country, is by carving out a few hours per week to study French with Rosetta Stone.

And the cost? Far less than the above options. For a full-blown Rosetta Stone course, you might spend over $500, but for the initial learning levels, we’re talking only between $250 and $400. Compared to the above options, that’s pretty darn cheap!

Author: Christine Chacal
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Mobile device news