How to Learn French

To learn the French language, keep in mind that are 4 components to mastering it completely: speaking, writing, listening comprehension and reading comprehension. Therefore, total immersion in French is the best way to become fluent. But for those of you who can't pick up and relocate to Paris, there are still ways to get comfortable in all 4 areas from the comfort of your own country.

Instructions

1. Take a French class. Sure, you could teach yourself for free on your own time. But classes provide a solid foundation for future independent learning. Most college level instructors speak French the entire time, and expect you to do the same. So, you reap the benefits of learning proper grammar, hearing a fluent speaker and practicing French on your fellow students.

2. Start a correspondence course online. This is usually cheaper than taking a class from a brick and mortar institution, and it's certainly much more flexible. Invest in a microphone and webcam and get started whenever you have the time.

3. Post an announcement for a native French speaker to converse with in a local paper, on craigslist or any other community forum. You might pay the conversation partner for his time or agree to exchange English conversation if his needs improvement.

4. Listen to French radio. Thanks to the Internet, it is now possible to stream stations from all over the world. Listen to a few minutes of news in French to challenge yourself, or just tune in to a French music station. Even if you don't know exactly what's being said, is a great way to hear the accent and cadences French speakers use.

5. Watch French movies, with subtitles. As your comprehension improves, you will understand some of what the actors are saying and figure out the rest by reading the subtitles. In popular movies, you'll hear colloquial French and start to think about how it's different from a direct English translation.

6. Buy some French books and read them out loud. Even if you don't understand every word, just getting your mouth used to pronouncing French words does wonders for your conversation skills. Of course, it's also a way to apply all that grammar and vocabulary to reading comprehension.

7. Get a French pen pal. Practice the written language by sharing your life with a native French speaker. You'll also learn something about Francophone culture and, perhaps, form a useful contact if you travel abroad.

Tips & Warnings

• Learn a little bit every day. This is the best way to really burn the language into your brain. If you can devote just 20 minutes a day to French study, you'll retain far more knowledge than if you decided to study one day a week for 3 hours.

• Don't let self-consciousness get in the way of speaking French. At first, you'll feel like a baby who hasn't learned to talk yet, but it gets better quickly if you're willing to make mistakes.

Resources

• Excellent tips on French study, travel and culture
• Offers an online assessment of your French skills
• Find a French pen pal for free.