learn french
By clairecooper
@clairecooper (1)
August 15, 2006 11:07am CST
i need some help i babysit a boy who is french and knows very little english i thought maybe i could start to learn french again, i learnt when i was at school but that was 8 years ago i know very basic like: days of week, numbers, months can anyone help me?
3 responses
@phyrre (2317)
• United States
21 May 09
I'd suggest going to sites to pick up vocabulary and such, but you could also use some techniques that helped me while i was studying French:
- watch movies in French. You can use English subtitles at first, but then take them off after a few movies because that's cheating. This helps train your ear to hear natural, fluent French speakers. Trust me,it helps. In my French class, I was one of the only ones that could follow what the teacher said easily because she spoke much slower than natural speakers and after a while I didn't need subtitles at all and could easily follow along (minus a couple vocab words that I didn't know). I'd recommend starting with some Disney movies. They're fun and easy and everyone knows them already!
- think in French. You do a lot of thinking every day, so incorporating French into every day life keeps it fresh in your mind. You don't have to think long, complicated thoughts, just start inserting French words/phrases around the English so you get used to the. Look up a couple new words or phrases each day while you're thinking if there's a word that keeps coming up that you don't know how to say in French. Repetition helps remember them.
- If you can, find someone else that knows French and began writing to them. It's a good way to practice grammar and spelling (which can be extremely hard when learning). It's also a great way to pick up new vocabulary and meet new friends!
- listen to songs in French. Find a genre or artist that you like and stick with it. Soe of my favorites are Mylene Farmer and MC Solaar, plus some random Disney songs. You might have to do some searching to find some artists that suit you, but it's well worth it in the long run.
Good luck learning French! It's hard to learn a new language, but it always pays off when you talk to a native and they think that's your natural born tongue. :) So keep trying and you'll get there. If you need any more help, I'd be happy to offer more pointers.
