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Viewing Discover a Smart Way to Teach Yourself FrenchDiscover a Smart Way to Teach Yourself French
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By Christian Aubert For centuries, people have tried and succeeded in learning new languages. There have been various reasons for this desire. There are also as many techniques ranging from tutors to immersion. Some languages are thought to be more difficult than others are to learn. One such language is the language of love, French. One of the most often repeated tenets for learning a new language is "practice, practice, practice". This is in essence the top method. However, the best way to learn, as just about any fluent speaker of a language will tell you, is to become immersed in it. So what exactly is language immersion when talking about learning any language other than one's native tongue? Language Immersion This means that you need to live among native speakers of the tongue for a period. For those desirous of learning French it will mean going to live in a country or region such as France. Quebec, Canada also comes readily to mind. For those wanting some tropical charm, Martinique is another option. Immersion works well whether you already know some French or are learning the language for the first time. The period of immersion can be months or more. It is generally recommended that a year is an ideal period for the French language. Language immersion forces the learner to speak, read, and listen to the language constantly. While language immersion may not be feasible for everyone due to family and work obligations, there are still ways to get more of the language and culture. Go for lots of language recordings when listening to music. Sign up for a variety of online French courses so you can immerse yourself in your free time. Watch foreign movies with or without captions, but as you progress in your studies, try to watch and understand without the captions. Read books in the language you choose to learn even if you need to have your bilingual dictionary nearby. Over time, you will begin to read and understand without more than an occasional need to consult a dictionary. Visit French websites or online French courses occasionally and brush up on techniques and style. Visit places where the language is spoken. A museum or restaurant frequented by French-speaking people is a great way to gain exposure to real conversation. If you attend language classes, develop a rapport with others with a strong desire to learn the language and talk to each other often using only French. If you can afford it, get a personal tutor. This way you can get more hours of training under your belt and have someone you can call and talk to in the language. Tutors often put together study groups where you can speak French with others and learn from real French conversation. Online French courses offer the ability to log into the website at any given time to study at your own pace. Sometimes there just are not enough hours in the day to accomplish your daily activities, then make time to study. Fortunately, online French courses offer the ultimate in customization and flexibility. Some find it easier to buy teach-yourself French tapes, but this calls for discipline. Play the tapes whenever it is convenient to do so. At home, place flash cards all over the house with French expressions and words on one side and your native language translation on the other. If you cannot afford to go away to a foreign country for an extended period for immersion purposes, plan a vacation to a French speaking country. If you do this, try to find opportunities to sit with the native people, listen to them speak, and respond if possible. If you truly want to learn a foreign language, the smartest way to do so is to find ways and means of surrounding yourself with the language as it is spoken in real conversation. About the Author: Christian Aubert is a French linguist who invented and developed the Smart French method. Learn to speak French with confidence by taking online French courses. Get your free demo lesson at www.SmartFrench.com. Article Source: A Language Guide - http://www.a-language-guide.com |
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