Ok, a quick back story. I did a GCSE in a foreign language (French) many moons ago (in 1991) and struggled. Maths, physics, yeah, easy, French, not so much. I’m now trying to advance myself in the language aged 47. I am wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to learn effectively? I’ve got a tutor I’m seeing 1 on 1 for a hour per week who doesn’t have the slots for more. I’m not usually short of a few hours in the week to study as I work away from home and have little else to occupy them (beer aside) and just wonder if anyone can suggest any ideas. I’m not intending to do any exams, it’s purely for my benefit (but I may revise that) but want to make progress. I’m nearly 50 and know that I’m definitely slower at taking things in than I was - and I was never good at any foreign language at the best of times! Before anyone suggests it I can’t afford to live in France and won’t be taking a French lodger here to teach me! thanks all, Ian.
My wife is learning Spanish and does Duolingo every day (drives me mad) as well as lessons (in the pub!).
Indeed. I’ve bought a text book or two, one of which comes with a corresponding app. I wondered if anyone had any recommendations for anything, apps, text books, whatever! Does ‘French for Dummies’ exist? I’ll Google it!
Childrens' books in French, at an age range that's appropriate for your level. There are also groups out there where you can meet up and practice.
Pimsleur Duolingo French books..I am reading (with help) a Forsyth book at the moment. Films with subtitles, Netflix is good for this. Though be aware that the subtitles do no always match exactly what is being spoken! Lessons with a French teacher (a French, French teacher…) Obviously, being exposed to the language is a huge help. Been here since August 2018 and just starting to get a grip. Translate books and webpages, use https://www.deepl.com/en/translator as google translate can be very inaccurate. I took CSE level French at school and had an unclassified result as I was so rubbish.
Apps might work, (never tried them), watching films with subtitles can also help. When I moved to Italy, I went to evening classes at the local school and that was the best way to start learning. I lived in Italy for a couple of years then moved onto Spain where I spent 18 odd years. Knowing the basics of a neo Latin language really helped me learn Spanish quickly. No real substitute for being there though and mixing in with the locals.
The daily exercise apps really help get conversational stuff in and have hundreds of thousands of positive reviews. I have tried a few times but don’t have the discipline (therefore desire) to practice.
Go and live where the language is spoken and stop speaking English. I did it aged 43 and after five years spoke like a native.
A-level French here, and taught it for years, but the best way I found was to spend time (2-4 weeks in my case) in a French family. You need a) to keep practising and using the language (once the basics are learnt) and b) to ‘get your ear attuned’, because, whilst you may understand what you read or hear spoken on your app, when you hear native speakers talking at full speed, it’s quite a surprise, and speed and accent can cause major problems. Go with the suggestions to learn initially, then see if you can get a time in France, or with a French family which won’t speak English to you. Best of luck
Get a French girlfriend. I picked up Spanish pretty quickly when I was in a relationship with a South American girl, although I’d forgotten most of it again within a couple of years of us breaking up. Use it or lose it!
I've always recommended "Rosetta Stone" to people. I was lucky in that I had an Italian mother who spoke seven languages and grew up speaking Italian with her and my grandparents, which enabled me to become fluent at an early age. If you have a good grounding in the grammar, it helps enormously, especially with similar languages such as Spanish and French, where the constructs are virtually the same.
