Learning French - advice please

[starone]

I would like to learn Conversational French. I cannot go anywhere to learn it but looking for something I can do at home. Can anyone tell me how to go about it and how to make it as easy as possible. Don't want anything too complicated. Looked at Rosetta Stone and blanched. I learned it at school about a hundred years ago but can only remember bits.

[grasscarp]

you may find your local library have cassette courses you can borrow. I found that they are the easiest way to learn a language to be able to speak it.

[Zacs-Master]

Do they have cassette players you can borrow too?

[starone]

Oh thanks grasscarp. I have a cassette player combined with my radio and cd player so that would be very convenient. I shall make some enquiries.

[hc4361]

Yes, your library will have cds you can borrow. Excellent.
You could refresh the basics with the online BBC course which is great for beginners and refreshers.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/french/

As you progress it would be very useful for you to get a French speaking Skype pal so you can instant message and speak in French. I am aware of site that pairs up people so they friend each other and learn each others language, but I can't find it at the moment.

[Andyvon]

I found the only way to speak French was to go there and speak it. I only had the few basics I'd learned at school and most people screwed their faces up and said "Ugh?" However, I found everyone was willing to help me with pronunciation and definitions of words I'd find on posters, newspapers, menus etc. I also took a dictionary and used that every few minutes at first. I didn't find anyone who was especially unhelpful or unfriendly. I don't pretend to be fluent in French but everyone seems to understand my French now and I can understand what people are saying to me. It's certainly been a long time since I was stuck or people just said "Ugh?"

That doesn't help you though Starbuck. I remember my poor parents bought the Linguaphone system to try to help me when I stopped going to school at 14 and they even paid for private tutors. I never learned anything through those structured systems though - only by going to France and having the nerve to try to speak French.

I would venture that systems like Linguaphone and Rosetta Stone do work for some people, but not for others. If they don't then they can be expensive and disappointing. I hope they work for you Starbuckone but I think the only way anyone will really learn a language is to actually go to the country and immerse themselves in the language. That's the only way that advanced language students learn. Good luck.

[starone]

Thanks hc - that sounds really good - I am going to look at the BBC course and try it out. Might be even better than the library because it will be on tap so to speak. I've got Skype but might leave that until I get more confident.

[tamborine]

ebay cheap

http://www.ebay.co.uk...R&hash=item19c9fd07ee

[Squitty]

Dont go for the ebay one from tambo - they can be found on the internet for free and they are usually government issued.... during ww2!
I fell for it!

[starone]

The reason I am thinking of learning is that my son and daughter-in-law are about to emigrate there so I thought it might be useful. I agree with you Andy - the only way to learn it properly is to speak with someone, but at least I might get the basics. Also it might stave off the boredom of living alone. Tv, books, computer, and AB all help but there comes a time when I need something to stimulate my brain.

[hc4361]

Also, google 'French language meetup beginners' and add your town. There are a lot of informal groups that meet together to speak French and help each other out with the language.

*Be sure to put language in the search or God only knows what you'll get yourself in to*

[marval]

You might like to look at this, I haven't used it though.

http://www.bonjour.com/

[tamborine]

These cant all be gov issue & still cheap

http://www.ebay.co.uk...R&hash=item19c9fd07ee

[hc4361]

Just saw your last post, Starbuck. The informal group meetings might be just the thing to get you out and about, meeting new people with the same goal as yourself.

Also check out local evening classes - they need not be too expensive and some are 'French Conversation' which is much more useful than the typical French classes.

Oooh la la! You have a whole new world waiting for you. Grab the opportunity and embrace new experiences.

[DTCwordfan]

I'll ask my sis what she has been learning from - they have a house over there in the South.....

Personally, I learnt it from living there (and not the O level I got), starting with La Belgique and moving south to Paris for another four years.

I can recommend two fun books Merde 1 and 2 for learning the other sides of the language that you do not learn in the books etc....interesting vocabulary re cussing, swear words and slang - its very useful though as it is much more "street" - and fun to have by the John Crapper as "entertainment".

If you are interested in having some conversation en francais, then we could find a means to a phone hook-up.....

[tamborine]

sorry, this page

http://www.ebay.co.uk...&_nkw=learning+french

[starone]

I have had a look marval and I can actually understand it and could read it with a little bit of help - now all I have to do is listen carefully and try to pronounce the words properly.

[jomifl]

My experience is that it is very helpful just to listen to french a lot. This helps you develop an ear for French and when you begin to understand spoken French you will learn the stock phrases that everyone uses. Learning the grammar is very helpful but is no use by itself. Reading novels in French is very helpful as you can see the structure of the language and relate it to what you hear. For listening I recommend French news channels as they are topical and the newsreaders don't descend too far into obscure vernacular and regional accents. For reading I recommend the books by Marcel Pagnol, especially his childhood adventures, they are written in a simple style with short sentences and vivid descriptions. His novels such as Jean de Florette and Manon des sources are easy to understand especially if you have the films on DVD and they are absolute tear jerkers.

[DTCwordfan]

very much advocate the French News and also signing onto Le Monde or a similar paper.....Le Monde is the french equiv. of the Times. It can be a little dry but the French vocab. and grammar is good.

[starone]

How marvellous - you are all so helpful I feel quite enthusiastic about it now and I shall probably combine several of the things you have suggested. Will let you know in a couple of months time how successful I am.

[DTCwordfan]

Starbuckone, just remember: "à cœur vaillant rien d’impossible"