Learning a language as an adult, with a job, and not in the country it's spoken in!

[Carikube]

Hi there, I learned French to 'A' level standard 11 years ago and sort of left it there really. I want to pick it up again with vigour, as I'm keen to go to Canada in a year or two, but at the moment I'm in England saving up! I don't want to go back into full-time study, but haven't forgotten everything I learned at college either. Consequently a basic course at night school isn't really suitable. Any ideas? Would an audio course be effective, or is there an organisation that specialises in helping people pick up where they left off with languages to a reasonable standard?

[Lil O'lady]

If you learned it once for a-level it is still there. Use free stuff such as the BBC language sites - use online french newspapers to remind yourself - listen to french radio stations. It'll come back.

[butterflies]

Another good idea is watching DVDs in french (most DVDs have language options), and find out if there are french conversation classes nearby. Better still, there might be a french person in the area willing to do private conversation with you. Though Canadian french isn't exactly the same as France french, Canadians will understand you but you might find it hard at first to understand them.

[Eve]

The best thing to learn is colloquial french.

I know what you mean as I did A-Level French, German and Spanish then French German and Italian for a year at uni before switching to law. That was about 10 years ago for me.

I went on a day trip to Vienna the other week and was amazed how much German was still with me! Similarly french and italian when I lived with a french and italian house mates.

The best way is to speak with native speakers as you pick it up sooo much better and have to try and speak in a more realistic way than just learning from a tape.

Are there any local language schools or teachers near you you could ask about private lessons or local french groups? Even a college where they have french students doing a degree over as part of their year out or a uni where they are likely to have native french speakers in the language dept.

I know there's a Spanish institute near me where people can go to help learn and a few authentic Spanish restaurants to practice so worth looking into local things in french.

[Eve]

Ps, could you get a cheap break to france in before you go?

I worked in France for a few weeks and it greatly improved mine.

[Carikube]

Thanks guys, this is really helpful stuff!

[LCNet]

Hey,

I also think it would be a good idea to make a short trip to e.g. France. But surely there are also French courses in England. Maybe you can check this website www.languagecourse.net and see if there are some language school which offer French language courses in your city.

Good luck:)