M
melodyeye
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What's the best way to learn a new language? I plan to start studying French from scratch this week (or the week after) and I'm curious to know...
Live in a country where they only speak French.
Alternatively you could befriend French speaking people or watch French films and TV-shows with French subtitles.
That's how I learned German; by watching a lot of German TV...
Alternatively you could befriend French speaking people or watch French films and TV-shows with French subtitles.
That's how I learned German; by watching a lot of German TV...
Learn the basic grammar and lexicon, then jump into it with all shoes. Watch movies, read newspapers, talk to people. Full immersion. Do not worry about being correct all the time. Find something you enjoy and do it in French! 
In my experience, you have to first learn the grammar and a working vocabulary in a traditional way. Then you really have to embrace the language and push for as much immersion as possible. You absolutely should not be afraid of making mistakes (it's why I feel I'm a better speaker when drunk, I'm less likely to be nervous), but it is very helpful to understand the rules of the language before you dive in.
Has anyone tried those language systems like Rosetta Stone?
Find a novel written in French and read it aloud. It will help you understand grammer and it will help improve your pronunciation. Find tv shows/movies in French and listen to it and most importantly find someone who speaks it and only speak French with that person. Immersion is the best way.
I think the immersion technique is the best but isn't always possible.
I knew a woman who studied French for years and topped her class and yet when she went to went to France had a lot of trouble understanding people because they way they spoke French was so different when what she had been taught.
I knew a woman who studied French for years and topped her class and yet when she went to went to France had a lot of trouble understanding people because they way they spoke French was so different when what she had been taught.
For face-to-face interaction, that's true, but it's not the only way. Movies, tv programs, books, magazines, newspapers are also good way to immerse yourself in the language, spoken or written. Chats and Internet forums are also good way to practice (just beware of text speak ). That's what I did to improve my English, and it worked quite well for me.
Go work for a corrupt pair of French winemakers who steal your hat and put antifreeze in the wine.
My wife teaches Spanish (she is a native speaker) and says immersion is best but if you have to use a computer program, the Rosetta Stone is good and Muzzi(?) is good for kids
regardless find a native speaker to help with pronunciation. Don't just use a local who knows the language or you'll learn it with their accent (Think Peggy teaching Spanish on King of the Hill)
regardless find a native speaker to help with pronunciation. Don't just use a local who knows the language or you'll learn it with their accent (Think Peggy teaching Spanish on King of the Hill)
I don't know. Who is she?
I think the best way to learn French is the way many a British and American soldier learned it: Au lit!
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