French is the language spoken by 175 million people worldwide. Originally from France, the language is currently spoken in 29 countries around the world. French is the second most taught language worldwide after English-so, there are many reasons to learn it. Here is a guide to your French speaking journey.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Recognizing French
Step 1. Buy a dictionary
This is the premiere step for starting a new language. Every time you get an un problem, you can get back on the right track in a few seconds.
- "The Collins Robert French Unabridged Dictionary" or "LaRousse Concise French-English" is a dictionary of good standards. Of course, if you don't want to get too deep into it, a pocket dictionary will suffice.
- There are tons of websites out there that act as dictionaries. Be careful! They are not always right. Wordreference.com is a good place to start. Always observe carefully when translating complete sentences.
Step 2. Take advantage of the technology
With all the tutoring options out there, it's easier than ever. Of course, local libraries are a solid choice, but you can find other sources at
- iTunes offers free 24/7 radio stations and podcasts in French (sometimes even for beginners!) and most cable packages have programming in French.
- There are various mobile apps that can help you remember words – the most famous being LingLing based on repetition – spend 20 minutes per day memorizing 750 words per month.
- Youtube has a lot of material for beginners in French.
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Amélie isn't the only French film out there. Try going to a DVD store or doing some research on the internet-sometimes there are movies (or documentaries) to be found for free.
View your favorite English movies with subtitles or subtitles in French. Even if you don't know the language at all, choosing a movie you do recognize can help set the context for the language
Step 3. Label the objects in your home
Sure, you have sat down to memorize words like “chair”, “window”, “bed”, but a week later you will forget. Labeling objects at home can create long-term memories that are not easy to forget.
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Remember to put the gender shape. France has two: masculine and feminine. This will make it easier if you want to use the pronoun later.
For example “la chaise,” “la fenetre,” and “le lit.” Quickly grab a pen and start writing now
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Add the pronunciation on the side, if you need to remember.
- l'ordinateur - lor-dii-nah-teur - computer
- la chaîne hi fi - shen-hai-fai - Stereo
- la télévision - te-le-vii-zy-ong - Television
- le réfrigérateur - ray-frii-ja-rah-teur - Fridge
- le congélateur - kon-jhey-lah-teur - Freezer
- la cuisinière - kwii-ziin-yehr - Stove
Method 2 of 4: Making use of the Translator App
Step 1. Use an app that can scan, recognize and translate objects
Applications like this include FlashAcademy. This app has automatic translator engine. Just point the camera at an object, take a photo and the app will recognize and translate it into any language. An easy way to learn is to scan an object in your room that is very familiar to you and then try to remember it. This is a great way to improve your vocabulary, very useful during travel too! Just point the camera and scan everything.
Method 3 of 4: Starting a Study Program
Step 1. Buy learning tools
Some are very expensive, and some are not. Try asking for a une opinion or borrow a CD from a friend. Popular choices like Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur, or Michele Thomas. Each program is good for a different type of student.
- Pimsleur doesn't give you good books. Their learning tool is a CD-good for aural students commuting. This tool uses English and allows you to translate. He uses word chains, such as, “porte”, “la porte”, “-ez la porte”, “Fermez la porte,” to help practice pronunciation.
- Rosetta Stone is a computer program and does not allow the use of English and relies on images. It uses memory games and is good for visual and sensory learners.
- Michele Thomas (CD and Youtube) uses a different way of teaching. He emphasized patterns in language and drew on the similarities between French and English. You start with a basic sentence, such as, “je vais au restaurant,” (I went to a restaurant.) and then proceed to, “Je vais au restaurant ce soir parce que c'est mon anniversaire” (I went home tonight because of this my birthday.). Your vocabulary will grow along with the phrases you already have.
Step 2. Take a French class
The best way to learn a language (rather than living in the country, of course) is to practice every day with other people. Taking language classes will force you to fit study into your schedule, hold you accountable, and provide resources you wouldn't otherwise have.
- Check with your local university or institution. Although taking classes will be more expensive, but being a student, you will benefit from access to their facilities, get student rates for many things and ultimately reduce expenses.
- Looking for language courses. The classes offered are generally cheaper, smaller and offered in the evenings or on weekends. If you live in an area with a lot of foreigners, it shouldn't be difficult to find this language course.
Step 3. Find a teacher
Internet is a good thing. Many people are looking for an easy way to earn extra money per week. You can adapt lessons to your schedule and create your own curriculum.
Do not carelessly look for a teacher. Just because they can speak the language doesn't mean they can teach it. Try to find someone who has taught before, not just someone who goes to French school
Step 4. Join the group
Chances are there are many people like you who are similar in age and demographics. Check your local university or language institution for more information.
Practice with other people. You can find friends to write letters on the internet or you can play with the Alliance Francaise in your city. Think of your friends or anyone who can speak French. Is your high school friend studying in France or moving to Canada? Do what you can to achieve success
Method 4 of 4: Learn French
Step 1. Practice every day
Learning a language is not like studying any other subject. Your knowledge must be built and penetrated as deeply as possible. Practicing every day is the only way you can maintain and improve your skills.
- Incorporate 'check and repeat' in your learning method until it is solid. You can't build complex sentences if you forget how to make easy ones.
- Even if it's only half an hour, do it anyway. Make your mind think en francais. Building a habit will make it harder to quit.
Step 2. Learn the origin of the word
If you can speak English, actually 30% of English words come from French. French. If you are a beginner, the easiest way to get used to it is with the existing word concepts.
- Often in English, the "cool" words come from France, and the "common" ones from Germany. For example, “Start” vs. “Commence”, “Help” vs. “Aid”; “Understand” vs. “Comprehend”. The French words for all three in the infinitive are “commencer”; "aider" and "comprendre".
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From some word endings, we can tell that they come from France. For example, words ending in “-ion”, “-ance”, or “-ite.” English words like Television, billion, religion, nuance, endurance, granite, opposite – all are “French words”.
Step 3. Memorize new sentences
Don't let your vocabulary stop. As your knowledge grows, take the time to add new sentences to your vocabulary.
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Try to think of a new topic. If you're short on time vocabulary, try targeting that section. If you need to recognize the name of a food, concentrate on it. Develop yourself.
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Quelle heure est-il? (What's the time?)
Bon, euh, je ne sais pas… (Uhh, I don't know…)
Oh, no! Il est déj 17 h! Je dois étudier mon vocabulaire de français! (Ah no! It's 5pm! I have to learn my French vocabulary!)
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Step 4. Read about verb conjugation
The biggest difference between English and French is that in French they conjugate their verbs to match the time and subject. In general, the verb table has the following arrangement, "I, you, he (female, male, noun), we/we, you (or second person plural), and they".
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Start with the simple present (habits/things that happen at this time) of the verb ending in –er (manger – “to eat”):
Je mange - tu manges - il/elle/on mange - nous mangez - vous mangez - ils/elles mangent
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Simple present of the verb -ir (choisir - choose):
Je choisis - tu choisis - il/elle/on choisit - nous choisissons - vous choisissez - ils/elles choisissent
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Simple present of -re verbs (vendre - sell):
Je vends - tu vends - il/elle/on vend - nous vendons - vous vendez - ils/ells vendent
- Generally, word endings are not pronounced. “Je choisis” will sound like “Zhuh shwazee,” and “ils mangent” will sound like “il monje”
- Learn tenses (time) another time. When you have mastered the simple present, continue with “passé composé (past).
Step 5. Think out loud
It might be annoying if you're around other people, but give it a try! They don't need to understand you, just "you" who have to understand yourself. Isn't this a bonne idea?
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After learning simple phrases like "Bonjour!", "Merci beaucoup" or "je ne sais pas" that some people know, try using more difficult sentences when you talk to yourself, such as:
- Où est mon sac? - Where's my bag?
- Je veux boire du vin. - I want to drink wine.
- Je t'aime. - I love you.
- If you want to say to yourself, "Ah, I saw an apple!" translate into French - " Oh, je vois une pomme ". Do this whenever you get the chance – in the car, in bed, in the bathroom, anywhere.
Step 6. Visit a French speaking country
If staying there isn't an option, try taking a walk there. If your finances are sufficient, try taking les vacances, bring books and CDs with you.
Talk to local people and immerse yourself in the culture. Sitting in a McDonalds or Starbucks restaurant, for example, won't help you get the French cultural experience you're looking for
Tips
- Print or purchase a calendar in French to replace your calendar. Now, every time you look at the date, you'll learn numbers, days and years in French. When writing shows, try looking at a dictionary and writing in French.
- Have a positive attitude. Sometimes you can get discouraged and forget why you want to learn French. A good motivation is to remember that 175 million people worldwide speak this language. Also, think about how few people speak only one language these days – most people now speak more than two languages.
- At the store, try to count in French how many fruits you put in the shopping cart.
- Understands that learning a language is a full time commitment. If you're half-assed and only study occasionally, you'll regret it later when you actually have to speak French.
- Make French the first thing you see on your computer. Put the French page to be the opening page on your computer.
- You can find native French speakers on many pages such as “Students of the World”. It will be easier to make friends and improve your French. Ask them to correct your French and you teach them the language you can.
- Invest in Bescherelle's books. This is a book with every verb and conjugation easy and fast.
- Consider the following places as tourist destinations: France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, Quebec, New Brunswick or Louisiana to name one.
Warning
- Pay attention to the gender match of the word (masculine or feminine) as well as the compound forms for verbs and adjectives.
- Learning a language is not easy and takes a lot of time. You will get nothing if you are not fully committed.
