Way OT: Calling all French speakers ...

[Flyfisher Tom]

Question: absent taking a class (which I don't have time to do with work and home commitments), what self-tutorial french language instruction programs can you recommend? The range and variety at Amazon is simply overwhelming.

Any ex-pats in France or self-taught french speakers care to make a recommendation? Thanks in advance.

 

[Alec]

Hello Tom.
As a native French father of three, I doubt your language skills are inferior to a 6-month old 😉
It goes without saying that I am not in the best position to make a recommendation to you, having heard, spoken, read and written essentially French for the last 36 years or so. But then, as a consultant (and a French one to boot), I can't help having an opinion even outside my competence, so here it goes :
http://www.rfi.fr/lffr/statiques/accueil_apprendre.asp

Start there and take advantage of some of the taxes we pay!

Where in France have you been?

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Hi Alec,

Thanks for the link.

 

[cbass]

I'm heading to France myself next week, I can't wait.

My French language skills are minimal at best. To prepare myself with some basic skills I borrowed the "Take off in French" series from my library. It uses a series of CDs and workbooks to give you a quick course in commonly used conversation. It was very helpful, but I get the feeling my most commonly used phrase will be "Je suis desole, je ne parle pas Francais. Parelz-vous Anglais, s'il vous plait?"

Glad you enjoyed your trip. Please post some pictures when you have a chance! EDIT: never mind, I just peeked in your galley. Nice shots!

 

[Toby]

Don't have any advice on books but an excellent piece of advice given to me by my school french teacher. If you are speaking french (or any other language) always think in french never try to translate as someone speaks think in english and then translate you thoughts back to french. It's the best foriegn language advice I've ever had

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

Hey Chris,

Thanks for the tip, I think you will really enjoy your trip.

As for photos, per your request. cheers

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

some more photos

 

[Flyfisher Tom]

and a few more

 

[John Camp]

The computer-based program you hear most about is Rosettastone. I did four years of Spanish in high school and recently bought a Rosettastone to try to brush up, and found that while it is probably pretty good for a complete beginner, it's so ideosyncratic in its method that it's not so good for a brush-up. And it's expensive. Whatever program you get, a great cheap supplement is here:

http://www.loopware.com/iflash/

but only for the Mac-based.

This is a flashcard program, that will support unlimited flashcards, and also has hundreds of "decks" which you can download for free. The decks include many languages, and for the more common languages, many different decks, and are great for brush-ups...You can also create your own decks, and, if you're so inclined, donate them to the deck library...

JC

 

[MelanieC]

In high school I enjoyed the "French in Action" videos, which I think you can download and view online for free. Oh, here they are:

http://www.learner.org/resources/series83.html

My entire class was convinced that Mireille and Robert were getting it on. The guys thought Mireille was really hot.

I took four years of French in high school and found it to be a good background for doing research in France when I got to grad school. I'm not the greatest speaker, but I get by as long as the conversation doesn't get too metaphysical and abstract. So, "French in Action" must not be that bad.

 

[darkkavenger]

Have a look at the RFI site, as a french/italian expat living abroad, it's one of my links with the motherland (besides working for the embassy) 😉

 

[Trius]

Tom: As a North American who used to be reasonably close to fluent and had the benefit of an absolutely wonderful program from Grade 5 through high school, my piece of advice is to avoid any program that uses written French text. IMO, the proper way to learn any language is oral/aural first. This is exactly how people learn their native language.

Most people, especially adults, get on the wrong track when seeing another language written; the natural tendency is to try and pronounce words as they would be sounded out in your native tongue.

Starting in grade 5, as I indicated, my whole class learned French from a Parisienne woman who was absolutely wonderful. We didn't see a written word of French for four years. Even the least accomplished of the students could hold pretty decent conversations, and the good ones could hold our own in pretty sophisticated exchanges.

So, I don't know how this can be accomplished with any on-line or CD-based courses, and I know you're probably not thinking of years-long courseware. Just my thoughts based on a really wonderful experience that has enriched my life immeasurably. My best friend from school became a teacher of French as a result of this approach; she is now retired and her passion is still to teach and go to France as often as possible. The shared experience of that early education is a bond that has brought us back together in the last several years after a long time of being out of touch.

Earl

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Any ex-pats in France or self-taught french speakers care to make a recommendation? Thanks in advance.

Practice, practice, practice. I've never taken a class in my life. I've learned by listening to others speak it, and also by reading it...and using a dictionary.

I don't recommend it as the best way to learn a language, though. I will keep an eye on the responses you get...me need help on language learn tips get.

Wasn't it wonderful, Tom (la premiere fois)?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

My entire class was convinced that Mireille and Robert were getting it on. The guys thought Mireille was really hot.

LOL!!! I've seen those ocassionally on TV! The first time I saw them I got very frustrated because I didn't understand rien, but a year later (about a month ago), I saw a few again, and understood most of it. Very interesting way of approaching language didactics.

And yes (Mireille), I would have flipped head-over-heels had I seen those videos when I was in school. I think Robert needs to let that carbon off his ahem, it must be a purple diamond by now.

 

[wrenhunter]

My entire class was convinced that Mireille and Robert were getting it on.

I always hoped that wasn't the case ...

The guys thought Mireille was really hot.

... because she is 🙂

And I agree it is a good series. I did 7 years of French and lived in Paris a few years ago. Afraid my textbook knowledge is outdated.

Whatever you do: persevere. When you speak French in Paris -- and they understand you -- and they reply -- in French, you will be justifiably proud.

 

[akptc]

I first learned French from a very good TV course provided by the French Consulate. Just a few months ago I saw it again on PBS, I think in the morning. Worth looking into.

For college - age folks I would recommend the intensive course at the Université Catholique de Lille ( here is the link) , where the total immersion French program allowed me to be able to literally pass for a Frenchman 99% of the time and study engineering afterwards.