Language Learning

[Anubis UK]

If I was to take a twice weekly course in learning French how long would it be before I was more or less fluent? Or is the only way to become fluent to spend time in a French speaking country? I have some school French :D Thanks in advance

[rekstout]

To achieve any degree of fluency you would have to spend some time either in a French speaking country or with native French speakers - the trick to achieving fluency - for me anyway - is to begin to think in the relevant language eliminating the need to reprocess my thoughts. If you know any French speakers, you could have a dinner party where one only speaks French. Try reading French papers and watching French films (without the subtitles - I used masking tape on the TV to blot them out) as well - remember - there is a world of difference between UK classroom French and the real deal - imagine a Frenchman trying to understand a thich Glaswegian or Yorkshire accent and you beging to appreciate the regioinal language diversity. You will also gain a better understanding of slang and up-to-date terms as well.

[gem]

It would take a long time to be fluent through courses, unless you have already learnt other languages. My suggestion is spending time in the country and learn to understand the grammar as well.