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contributed by Jim Cassidy It doesn't matter if you're at home or on holiday, learning a new language is an adventure. At Home, watch French Televison via satellite or computer. I know you tend to get distracted by the pictures rather than listening to the sound, but it's still a good way to start and see stories not covered by your local TV company. Listen to French radio, it all sounds a bit frenetic at first, but just let it wash over you until you get tuned into the language. Have French days during the week, and no this doesn't mean the woman of the house dressing up in a maid's costume or the man in a beret and string of onions around his neck. Speak as much French as possible, do a French crossword which can be found in many of the English language French lifestyle magazines. Check out all the leaflets you brought back from your last trip to France, Even read the label on the back of the Bonne Maman jam jar. Use fridge magnets to make up words and phrases. There are some French alphabet magnetic words and phrases on the market at the moment to help you. See who can make up the longest sentence (that makes sense.) Buy a French newspaper everyday, you'll get some strange looks at your local Starbucks but give a Gallic shrug and persevere. Just pray a French family doesn't sit down beside you! Actually, come to think of it, that would be a great way to see how your conversational French is coming along. If you're off on holiday to France or Quebec, speak the language at every opportunity. Yes I know the French love to speak English, it can be frustrating, but remember they're trying something different as well. so praise them, gently help them if they don't quite get it right. They'll do the same for you believe me! I remember a couple of years ago telling a couple who had invited us into their home that the pleasure was all THEIRS rather than ours (got my notres mixed up with my votres) We had a good laugh about it and another round of drinks to toast my little indiscretion. Visit supermarkets and DIY stores, pick up every leaflet they have, collect estate agents papers, free newspapers, business cards, tourist brochures. They all have pictures on them with the French name beside them of course. This will help build up your vocabulary and help identify the strange things in jars on the supermarket shelves. Friends of ours in France have been living there for about six years, and are reasonably fluent. But the guy can tell you the French name for every power tool while his wife has a large vocabulary which covers gardening and cookery. And finally, never turn down an invitation to visit the French at home. Even if you can only say fantastique or superbe, it's not to be missed. Mentally exhausting as you try desperately to understand what's going on, but the experience is worth its weight in gold. Bonne Chance About the Author: Jim Cassidy is a UK-based radio journalist and have a home in Central France where my wife and I plan to retire in a couple of years time. If my article has whet your appetite then why not test drive French Language lessons online. You can get a Free Mini Course at http://usfreeads.com/874946-cls.html |
 
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