learning french

[KH]

I'm going to be working in Paris for 4-8 months in a six weeks. I know absolutely no French, but I see this as an opportunity to really learn the language. How should I start out? From now until I am actually in Paris, and when I am in France. Should I invest in a language school? I will be working probably from 9-5, so do you know if there are any nightschools that are either free or affordable? Lastly, how advanced do you think I'll become after 6 months in Paris, if I were to be really committed to learning the language? I'm pretty good at learning languages. I'm nearly fluent in German and Korean.

[andy hughes]

If you speak German, you will find it easy to pick up French, as most European languages share the same linguistic roots. get a phrase book, and make a note of the most useful phrases you might need. You will find that all Europeans are sympathetic to the English, who don't have to bother learning another language because everyone speaks ours! You will probably find that a lot of people speak English in Paris, and if not, they'll help you to get by. Good luck.

[andy hughes]

Oh, nearly forgot, after six months of being imersed in the language and culture of that beutiful city, you'll be chatting away like a native!

[becks]

Living in a country is the best way to learn the language, french is really easy to learn and i'll bet with your german skills you'lll pick it up quickly. Why not try one of those headphone tape jobbies, you really only need the basics, failing that go onto the BBC website and they do basic french for free, i use it to polish mine up! Bon chance! x

[vittoria]

My advice would be to pack in as many private one to one lessons as you can in the next six weeks, perhaps two a week. I have no idea of the cost unfortunately. To find a teacher you could try ringing one of the foreign language schools in central London, or a local college of further education, and enquire whether their teachers are available for one to one lessons. My feeling is that after six months in Paris you will have a working knowledge of the language, but you will need to keep it up when you are back.

[IndieSinger]

That would be Bonne chance !, becks.

[becks]

Thanks indie, said i needed to polish up!