Learning a new language?

Question

I've been studying French for some time now in school, but I'm kinda bad at it, so I decided to start over, by myself, I've got some "Leanrning French without a teacher" kind of books (with a grammar and vocabulary part for each lesson).

Should I start with those? I don't think I'm doing it right though cause i forget words easily. I try to watch tv programs or movies in french, as I don't know any people fluent in french.

Any other tips?

Answer 1

I love languages. I use to be very good at french but I stopped practicing in favor of learning spanish.

I learned spanish the same way I learned french but it was easier and cheaper with spanish because there are plenty of spanish speaking resources out their now like all the spanish channels on television.

I began by watching t.v. in spanish with the subtitles on. you can do the same in french. I watched a show that I liked with very good and expressive acting since I wasn't going to be understanding a lot of what they say. You can buy movies if you aren't able to watch french shows.

Then I bought a good spanish dictionary and begin looking up the the phrases I saw most often in the show subtitles. Don't worry too much about grammar just yet.... it'll come.... but by a good grammar textbook maybe from a school store. They'll be some days where you'll be very interested in the grammar and then you will spend a few hours studying it but don't force yourself with the grammar.

Watch television and listen to music. Learn the lyrics of songs that you like so you'll be interested in learning the meaning.

Soon you'll find that you can read the subtitles but you still won't understand what they are talking about.

Next you'll begin understand words hear and there in the conversation on the television and in music.

Then you'll begin understanding the 'gist' of what's going on.

Then you'll realize that you understand a lot of what's going on....you might even start forgetting to turn on the subtitles when this happens.

This is the method I use. I hope it helps you learn french. Bon Chance y Suerte : )

Answer 2

Dear, that's good you're so interested learning French, but as a matter of fact, French is very difficult, and probably you'll need a teacher. I suggest you to start with this course, but always look for your teacher when you don't understand something, or when you have doubts of what the word really means. Watching TV in French is a good way too, but I think you should start with easily things, like commercials, and TV shows. On this step listen to some musics in French, I recommend you Celine Dion, the lyrics are easy and slow. After, try some movies. That's it! Again, don't be afraid consulting your teacher when necessary.

Best wishes,

Mr. Odo.

Answer 3

Studying a new language by yourself is definitely very difficult. I've tried it and realised I soon lost all the self-discipline to continue, and sometimes, I don't even know whether I'm on the right path!
Since your school offers it, why not try your best at it? Actually, having people fluent in French might not help much, because they can tend to be less patient, having a study buddy, someone around your level is more encourageable. You can learn and practise at the same time. Try getting a buddy or a friend to learn with you.
Meanwhile, learning a language is an everyday work, you'll have to find some methods to help yourself remember the vocab. One of my friends actually made picture cards!
Find some innovative/creative method to boost your interest.
All the best ya!

Answer 4

you must have some CDs or DVDs or software to learn French,

You can't really learn without listening, that would get you a really bad accent. And on my experience, listening to the language is very important to retaining what you have learned.

If you are in need of some listening materials you may try this sites:

http://www.fsi-language-courses.com/
http://www.learnfrenchbypodcast.com/
http://www.rfi.fr/lffr/statiques/accueil_apprendre.asp


It is quite possible to teach yourself a language, I, for instance, learn much better and faster studying on my own. The only advantage of taking classes is that it gives me the discipline of regularity, that I may sometimes lack.

The key not to forget words it to review often. That is, you must review before you forget anything, once or twice a day for one week should be enough to get a lesson fixed 100%. You must try different schedules to see what works best for you.

If you stay away from your studies for more than two days, you start forgetting a lot, but if you study everyday, your retention should be very good.

Answer 5

The first few years in learning a language, you need to have a teacher. Try Berlitz or Alliance Française. After you have learned the basics, you can supplement your lessons by watching French films, reading French books and magazines and speaking with French people.

Also, you need to be disciplined in memorizing words and using the language daily. You will never learn it if you only speak it in class.

If you can afford it, immersion is still the best way to learn a language so try to visit France. :)

Answer 6

The best way, of course is to move to France, but since that is probably impracticable...Many movies are dubbed in French. Go to a video store and look at the back cover to see if it has French. My "Team America" video is dubbed in French as well as my Southpark movie. There are very many others. Immerse your life in it as much as possible.

Answer 7

There should be some learn videos about french, and if you watch them step by step you would become good at it.
That is what I am doing with Japanese right now.

Answer 8

i think that you need to get a french friend, that would help a lot if you don't wanna a teacher

Answer 9

wanna be my au pair? My kids speak French.

Answer 10

get Pimsluers Method... their the best its all audio and its really fast and efficient