Learning a new language opens up a world of opportunities, and few languages are as captivating and enchanting as French. Known as the language of love, French has a rich cultural heritage and is spoken by millions of people worldwide. Whether you are planning a trip to France, pursuing a career in international relations, or simply seeking personal enrichment, embarking on the journey to learn French is an excellent choice. In this blog article, we will provide you with some valuable tips to help you on your path to mastery.
1. Choose the right course
Taking actual French classes, at a language school or online, might be one of the best ways of learning French. You’ll have a structured course, the opportunity to practice speaking and someone who corrects your mistakes. But if you are constrained in terms of time or money, you might also be very successful learning French on your own. As a solo learner, your success will depend on you choosing the right course. You should be looking for a well-structured, interactive course with a lot of audio and text or video material. The best free online course we found is French in Action by by Pierre J. Capretz. It’s a wonderful immersive video course which is available on YouTube here. The videos may seem a little outdated but the content is truly excellent. Read more about why we love French in Action here. We do not recommend apps like Duolingo, since you learn sentences without context. In addition, most apps don’t have a great repetition system so you’ll waste time studying what you already know. In contrast, we’ve created an Anki deck which is the perfect supplement to French in Action and can even be used on its own. You can get the deck here. With our Anki deck, you’ll use your studying time the most efficient way possible. Combining it with French in Action, you’ll make rapid progress!
2. Immerse yourself in the language
When using French in Action, you’re immersing yourself in French from day 1. But you should also use other materials for immersion, especially when you’ve completed the course. Listen to French music, watch French movies and TV shows, and surround yourself with French speakers if possible. You can also look for comprehensible input on YouTube which was designed for French learners specifically. Immersion will help you become more comfortable with the language and improve your comprehension skills.
3. Practice, practice, practice
Like with anything else, practice is key. Find a language exchange partner or a tutor to practice speaking with. Consistent practice will help you become more confident in your abilities and improve your overall language skills. Writing practice is also crucial. For example, writing a diary in French is a great way to practice. We recommend you find a native speaker to correct your texts but AI might also do a really good job.
4. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes
Making mistakes is a natural part of the language learning process. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, as they can help you learn and improve. In fact, making mistakes can be a sign that you are pushing yourself to try new things and expand your language skills. Embrace the mistakes and use them as a learning opportunity.
5. Establish a studying routine
Establishing a routine for learning French is crucial for achieving your language learning goals. A routine will help you stay focused, motivated, and accountable. Here are some tips to help you create a routine for learning French . Set aside a regular study time each day or week. Consistency is key when it comes to language learning. Whether it’s 10 minutes a day or 2 hours a week, make sure you have a designated time for studying French.
Conclusion
In conclusion, studying French can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. By choosing a good course, immersing yourself in the language, practicing consistently and establishing a studying routine, you can make great progress on your language learning journey. Remember to be patient with yourself, as learning a new language takes time and effort. With dedication and practice, you can achieve your language learning goals and enjoy the many benefits that come with being multilingual. Good luck!
1 Comment
Kirby Pereira · October 15, 2023 at 7:19 pm
I work for a multilingual company in Canada, and while it isn’t strictly required for us to learn French it has been said a few times that knowing both languages is a big asset. So, I started looking into learning French, and found the first part of the French deck on Anki’s website and blasted through it. Once I was finished all the cards in it I then found out there was more to it here. I’ve had a lot of fun learning french with this deck, and I’m happy that it also introduced me to the ‘French in Action’ videos which were also super helpful. 10/10 for me; 350 cards down and 2,030 to go!