Here are 10 of the best ways to learn French so you can enjoy the tremendous benefits it brings.
1. Sign Up for a Class
Registering for French language classes is the easiest step you can take to learn the language. It is a direct path to learn French vocabulary and pronunciation. You’ll interact and study with other students who can motivate you when the language-learning process gets tough.
It’s vital to attempt to communicate or ask questions in French in order to familiarize yourself with the language, and class requires you to do just that. Take the French class exercises seriously, and you should start to pick up the language sooner than you think!
Other students are a useful resource. For instance, students who speak a language related to French may be able to interpret some words in their own language and explain it to you. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, French is part of the Romance Languages, which bear a few similarities in vocabulary. That means a Spanish speaker who interprets “Read a book” as “Lee un libro” may translate it in French as “Lire un livre,” thereby guiding you as you transition to understanding a new language.
2. Read a French Book
If you prefer to study by yourself, buy a French language guidebook to learn the basics, vocabulary, and phonetic pronunciation of French words. You have to be careful not to overwhelm yourself with too much grammar and too many expressions at once, though. The goal is to learn at a steady pace, understand and memorize the lessons, and practice your word exercises to speak well later.
Consider also getting French story books with stories you already know in your native tongue, for example, folk tales like Chicken Little (Petit poulet). As you read a familiar book in French, it’ll be easier to follow along because you know the story. If you spot any words you don’t recognize, immediately note the word down and check the meaning.
Arm yourself with an French dictionary if you don’t have one already. Use an online dictionary if you don’t have an alternative, and make sure to review the listed word meanings to learn related words.
3. Get a Language Program
For many, the best way to learn French can be through one of the many language-learning software courses on the market. Examples include Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur, Babbel, and Lingopie. While these programs used to supplement traditional learning in class in the past, they’ve now become more advanced and useful for independent language learning.
To find the right language-learning program for your needs, consider these factors: cost, user experience, teaching model, and additional features. The software must provide training in reading, writing, listening, and speaking French for your language study to be successful. Select a program that doesn’t overwhelm you with information, but provides steady guidance and memorization training to help you understand French.
4. Learn Through Online French Courses
You can learn French online through websites like Pimsleur and pick up sufficient vocabulary to begin speaking the language. Some of the learning is gamified to make the lessons more engaging and fun.
There are many reasons for using online courses to learn French. For one, some of the websites offer free lessons and no limits on how long you can learn. You can study from anywhere in the world with an internet connection, and you can decide what time your lessons should be. Furthermore, you can study at your own pace and refer back to previous lessons. Some sites also have online communities where you can join others who are learning the same language.
5. Use Language-Teaching Mobile Apps
Smartphones have brought all the advantages of the internet into the palm of our hands. One such benefit is the ability to use language-teaching mobile apps that are available on the Android or iOS play stores. Apps like Rocket Languages offer step-by-step instruction straight from your mobile phone in an engaging and interactive manner.
Apps to learn French can be super convenient, as you can learn from anywhere, at your own pace, or listen to interactive audio courses as you handle other tasks. Learning on mobile also provides different types of teaching formats. For example, you can learn through audio, video, or gamified exercises, or you can download documents to help with your coursework. Different apps offer different types of learning, so with a little quick research, you should easily be able to find the best app to learn French for you.
6. Use All the Multimedia at Your Disposal
Watching movies and listening to music and podcasts can provide a route to learning French that some might miss. YouTube has various channels discussing French, and you can use them as part of your pathway to building a foundation in the language. You can also select subtitles in the playback settings and set them to French to start making correlations between words, sounds, and possible meanings.
Listening to French music throughout the day may guide you on pronunciation and even introduce new words into your vocabulary. Make sure to read the lyrics and their translations to understand French further. You can also try watching movies in French or set subtitles in French for English movies. If you prefer podcasts, you can search for French ones and begin acquainting yourself with the language.
7. Immerse Yourself in French
Immersion is a significant component of language learning—this is when learners practice a language exclusively until they learn it. While language programs, such as Lingopie, use immersion to teach their students, one great way to immerse yourself is by traveling to France and trying to learn French by speaking it every day!
Be focused on learning every day, listen intently, and talk to locals as much as possible. Learn about the culture by reading tour guidebooks and visiting landmarks and museums. Ask questions about French culture, and try to familiarize yourself with people’s verbal and non-verbal cues as you begin to adopt the native tongue.
8. Find an Online Tutor or Conversation Partner
If you prefer to have a teacher guiding you rather than learning independently, consider getting an online French tutor. You can use online tools, such as dictionaries, have flexibility in scheduling sessions, and get instant feedback on your progress. You can search online for private language lessons and tutoring platforms like Busuu, which connects students with teachers on video chat. Or, you can organize a less formal agreement to chat in French with a friend or someone from a language-learning forum.
Speaking to a French conversation partner can be a more relaxed way to learn the language. Conversing with a native speaker enables you to learn in a safe, non-judgmental environment. It helps you think about daily conversation in a different language, building your confidence in speaking French.
9. Challenge Yourself
Learning a language has to be a deliberate effort every day to push yourself out of your comfort zone and put yourself in the mindset of change. Our first language is all many of us have ever known, and we’re now trying to shift to adopting a new set of vocabulary, pronunciation, non-verbal cues, and grammatical rules.
Challenge yourself by turning everything around you into something French-related. For example, change your phone language settings to French. It will force you to figure out the phone menus and everything you click on, thereby learning something new. Write labels around the house in French, and use flashcards and other memory-training tools to ingrain the language in your mind.
10. Take Notes and Listen Carefully
Research shows that we remember more when we write down what we’ve learned. It’s also better to write down notes than to type them on a laptop because writing engages the mind in a different way, enabling the brain to think and connect ideas. Additional research concluded that taking notes activated more brain regions than typing them out.
As you’re learning French, it is essential to not only listen carefully but also write down notes. It will enhance memory recall, enabling you to pick up the vocabulary and language rules faster. Active listening also trains your mind to pick up the voice inflection and articulation of a native speaker.
Conclusion
Learning French can make a big difference in your life and expose you to many fresh and exciting experiences. The best way to learn French depends on the learner, and the tips above will help you find the ideal approach for you.
Consider signing up for a language class or an online course if you prefer teacher-student learning. Visit a language-learning website or download a French learning app to access interactive audio lessons. Buy French guidebooks and storybooks or pay for an affordable language program to learn from home.
Finally, challenge yourself and immerse yourself in the French language. Consume video and music content daily to add French words to your vocabulary. If you focus on the method that makes you most comfortable and motivates you to continue learning every day, you’ll become proficient in French.
