James. Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 I have decided to learn French. I did the basics to GSCE level and have had bits and bobs of exposure over the last few years. My girlfriend and some of my friends are fluent and I would love to get to a conversational level. I've bought a Michel Thomas CD based course which is highly rated. After doing 4 hours of the 8 hour course I'm really impressed. I've also booked myself in for a 2 hours a week (for 10 weeks) French evening course to improve my writing, reading and speaking starting at the end of this month. Aside from what I've already done what other tips do any of the linguists on here have for me? Has anyone else learnt a language? I'm thinking the best possible practice is to actually go to France - luckily I'm going to Paris for the weekend in September which should hopefully be really useful.
chrisfox Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 If you're interested in learning French in France, take a look here http://www.applelanguages.com/en/learn/french.php Not sure if you meant take a specific trip or not but worth a look never the less.
Manwell Pablo Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 I have decided to learn French.I did the basics to GSCE level and have had bits and bobs of exposure over the last few years. My girlfriend and some of my friends are fluent and I would love to get to a conversational level. I've bought a Michel Thomas CD based course which is highly rated. After doing 4 hours of the 8 hour course I'm really impressed. I've also booked myself in for a 2 hours a week (for 10 weeks) French evening course to improve my writing, reading and speaking starting at the end of this month. Aside from what I've already done what other tips do any of the linguists on here have for me? Has anyone else learnt a language? I'm thinking the best possible practice is to actually go to France - luckily I'm going to Paris for the weekend in September which should hopefully be really useful. Oui James, Parle Avec Fez. il Parle Tri Bein Francais, Alore. Ow Muuurrrrchhhh Ow Murrrrrrrrrrch Ow Murrrrrrrchhhhhh Pour la Elvies Ammond.
Monk Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 James - if you can get there in time the Bishopsgate institute do some really good evening classes from 6 or 630. I did beginners spanish last year and was well worthwhile.
lavrentis Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 Learning a different language is great, English will get you most places but to have a person understand you and communicate with you in another language, for me is a great feeling. Makes you feel slightly more intelligent. In my opinion, the definate best way to help learn another language is by visiting that country, to get a feel of the language, Its alright reading it from a textbook, but to experience it in first person will help a lot. Speaking a couple of words or a whole sentence to people there like in shops, restaurants, taxis, may not be much to you, even if you get it wrong like I have done a couple of times, they just correct me but they will love it and will probably help you out with a thing or two. All I can say to be honest is stick at it and speak as much of it as you can. Good luck
Lillehamring Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 well, if your missus is fluent, you have it dead easy and should just do what (i really should) do - and just agree that after, say, 7pm you don't speak english - it's like anything, the more you do it the more you learn. it's does take a massive commitment, and we struggle to sustain non-english for more than an hour or so, cause you just want to be able to chat with your lady, obviously... but it is as good, if not better, if she is fluent, than visiting the country. it's also free and means that you don't just learn by repition or by stock phrases, you actually learn the most important thin - to converse.
Daggers Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 I was told to get a girlfriend in Colombia to help me with my Spanish. The wife decided I could make do with books and a teacher instead. Stupid wife.
Dr The Singh Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 I was told to get a girlfriend in Colombia to help me with my Spanish.The wife decided I could make do with books and a teacher instead. Stupid wife. Your wife loves you so much, Mrs Singh rather I went off and found that Columbian girlfriend, actually she tells me she wishes she never laid eyes on me, I said too late you laid your body on me and now we've got 3 kids!!! Stupid Wife
Master Fox Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 They teach Chinese at my little Bro’s School. I didn’t know they taught Chinese in Schools, and since I found out I’ve been wanting to learn it.
James. Posted 8 April 2009 Author Posted 8 April 2009 well, if your missus is fluent, you have it dead easy and should just do what (i really should) do - and just agree that after, say, 7pm you don't speak english - it's like anything, the more you do it the more you learn.it's does take a massive commitment, and we struggle to sustain non-english for more than an hour or so, cause you just want to be able to chat with your lady, obviously... but it is as good, if not better, if she is fluent, than visiting the country. it's also free and means that you don't just learn by repition or by stock phrases, you actually learn the most important thin - to converse. This is it. I really should have taken advantage of her before (so to speak) as we have been together for about 7 years and I'm only just starting to speak French with her. We've tried conversations and it really does help, particularly when putting into practice the stuff I learn on the CD course.
Lillehamring Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 This is it. I really should have taken advantage of her before (so to speak) as we have been together for about 7 years and I'm only just starting to speak French with her. We've tried conversations and it really does help, particularly when putting into practice the stuff I learn on the CD course. tell me about it - i've been with my other half for 3.5 years - i should be fluent, but her english is perfect... it didn't help that i only started taking classes in january.... i'm ok, but still way to lazy to be good the thing is, people say the best way to learn is to visit the country - but over here almost every wants to speak english, and they're all so damned good at it...
Lillehamring Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 Your wife loves you so much, Mrs Singh rather I went off and found that Columbian girlfriend, actually she tells me she wishes she never laid eyes on me, I said too late you laid your body on me and now we've got 3 kids!!!Stupid Wife why don't you sell her to Ultra <_<
Samilktray Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 I learnt to count to 10 in Japanese when I did Karate. Im cultural n shit.
Tilley Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 Never enjoyed learning French & had to endure five years of it. Can speak Spanish fluently though.
Darkzzz_ Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 I too am thinking about learning French, that audio book looks good James.
Asha Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 I learnt to count to 10 in Japanese when I did Karate.Im cultural n shit. So did I actually, not that going karate made any difference to me. I can speak French to quite a decent level, would love to speak Italian.
James. Posted 8 April 2009 Author Posted 8 April 2009 I too am thinking about learning French, that audio book looks good James. It really is. Completely different way of teaching. No homework or memorising, you just absorb the information. He presents it in a clasroom style with a shit student (annoying American woman) and a good student (ok English chap). Have found that I'm picking it up quite well and can construct lots of sentences with correct conjugation of verbs, etc. Only half way as well. Hoping that combined with the 10 week evening course and speaking to my girlfriend should set me up quite nicely.
Webbo Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 I learnt Spanish at night school about 15 years ago, I eventually got a GCSE. I do try to use it on holiday but usually I lose my nerve half way through.
Daggers Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 I want to learn to speak Welsh. I looked into it. I'm thinking it's tough.
Alexikokopops Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 I looked into it.I'm thinking it's tough. caws!
Guest Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 I looked into it.I'm thinking it's tough. I like a challenge. If you do find owt out, please let me know. Either that or we kidnap Finners, and hold him hostage until we're fluent Welsh speakers.
Daggers Posted 8 April 2009 Posted 8 April 2009 I do try to use it on holiday but usually I lose my nerve half way through. What do you do during the second week then?
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