If you want to accelerate your French language learning, the next question you probably are asking yourself is what’s the best way to do this? And I will tell you that depends on your learning style. Do you like traditional textbooks and classes, are you more inclined to memorize words and phrases, do you like rules, or are you more or a visual, tactile, and interactive learner? Hmm, so many decisions!
Generally speaking, if you don’t know how you learn or you think your mind touches on several learning styles, then you learn like I do. In fact, I found that I prefer a mix of learning styles because, depending on how I’m feeling one a certain day, or even during various times of the day, I might want to switch learning modes.
Here are my recommendations for each style:
- Traditional French classes at a high school, college, or university. I did this for 7 years back in the day when there weren’t any other options and I can assure you that this is not learning my style. However, I will tell you that, to me, traditional classroom instruction can be very valuable because it provides you with an awesome foundation (reading, writing, and grammar) from which to begin or jump-start your language skills. Was it painful when I went though it? Yes. Would I do it again? Grudgingly, I would say yes. Try to find a class with an instructor who is a native French speaker.
- Duolingo or other apps. Duolingo, available online at www.Duolingo.com and in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, is definitely an interactive, fun, and totally FREE way to learn French as well as many other languages. This app completely changed the way I thought about learning French and it has become a daily learning experience that I can’t do without. For real. A note of caution – Duolingo is geared toward conversational French so if you’re looking for grammar lessons, you’ll have to augment Duolingo with a traditional language class, a language textbook or language review book, or another method that fits your learning style. Also, I am of course aware that other apps and websites are available that can teach you French but, as I haven’t used them, I’m unable to offer you any guidance on their effectiveness, how user-friendly they are, and if you would be likely to find them engaging (or not).
- Books in French. Frankly, if you’re a beginner, I’d order any children’s book in French that you can find and start reading and learning French that way. In addition to Amazon, you can order books directly from France through Librairies Deceitres (www.deceitres.fr) or, once COVID-19 has passed, pick from among the possibly hundreds of selections that are available on loan at no cost from your local Alliance Francaise chapter. But regardless of where or how you buy your book(s), reading French should quickly and noticeable improve your language skills.
- French Language Review Book. Yes, just one book. Why? Because I’ll tell you that I’ve found one that is exceptionally comprehensive, well-written, and covers essentially everything that you need to know about French if your maternal language is English. That book is The Ultimate French Review and Practice, Premium Third Edition by David M. Stillman, PhD and Ronni L. Gordon PhD. Once you get through it’s 350 pages, you’ll find yourself referring to it again and again for years to come. It’s that good. And to be clear, I am not associated in any way with the authors and don’t make any money at all if you decide to buy it. It is just an excellent resource that I recommend it without reservation.
- Join the Alliance Francaise. The Federation of Alliances Francaises USA (https://afusa.org) is a wonderful organization with the goal of promoting the French language and celebrating francophone cultures. With chapters all over the United States, it is a great way to meet other Francophiles, learn or re-learn the language, and participate in all type of activities. Also, once we’re out from under COVID-19, most Alliance Francaise chapters have hundreds of books in French that are available on loan from the chapter’s library. Again, reading French is a wonderful way to augment your language skills no matter your proficiency level!
- Get an Online Translator, a French-to-French Dictionary App, and French-to-English Verb App.
- My favorite online translator is “DeepL” (www.deepl.com) and I’ve read many reviews of it from native French speakers who say it’s probably the best overall translator because it not only gets individual word translation correct, but also idioms and colloquialisms. Free, and to access it, I bring up the website in my browser whenever I need it.
- My go-to French-to-French dictionary app is “Le Robert Mobile” (available for a one-time payment of $4.99 in the Apple App Store). As you progress, you’ll want to start looking up French words in a French dictionary – this will definitely expand your vocabulary and comprehension rapidly. One of the best features above this app is that you can tap on any word contained in the definition of the word that you’re looking up, and the app will then take you to the definition of that word! Nice!
- Finally, if you find verbs to be a little tricky, I highly recommend the app “French Verbs” that can be found on the Apple App Store. The app contains over 700 verbs in 17 tenses – extraordinarily useful! I suspect that you’ll find this app will quickly replace any traditional paper French dictionaries that you may be currently using.
- Get a Native French Tutor. One of my favorites is Yasmine Lesire at I Learn French (www.ilearnfrench.eu) – a self-described rebel French teacher. She runs two online French schools, one in Paris and one in Brussels, with three other tutors who all are native French speakers. I recommend Yasmine if you want to learn French but don’t like a classroom learning environment. Of course, there are many, many other native French tutors and I’d be happy to share their information with the world – all they have to do is send their name and contact information to Bonjour@MyFrenchAmi.com and I’ll post it shortly after I receive it under the French Businesses – Tutors tab.