I have just tried a course from memrise on the internet, which was recommended in Martin's Money Tips. You can do it for free and upgrade to a premium version for about 9 dollars a month or 59 for a year. I started from the beginning and I liked it, but I couldn't get beyond a certain chapter which it kept repeating. I upgraded to the premium version and the same problem, so I have asked for my money back as I paid for the year. It's a shame because it's the only french course I have liked.
If they fix it for me, I will continue. Give it a try if you want as you might like it and not have any problems.
------------- jjg
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Quote: Originally posted by TickleMePink on 09/9/2013
Me too. I've signed up for a French beginners course starting in October at my local high school. It isn't cheap at £92 for 8 weeks but I am hoping to improve on my awful school French by the time we go again in May.
As you already have a basis, you could combine your course with reading books or magazines in French or watch a French Film (perhaps with subtitles in English).
That' s how I'm trying to improve my school English. I started with books and films I already knew and like (so I was still able to enjoy what I read despite the huge gaps in my vocabulary).
I have listened to some of Michael Thomas. I passed an O level in French 30 years ago but no one in France seems to understand me! I can understand more than I can speak but I have found MT's way of learning to speak french useful.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Sue - school French is very formal, and I suppose is a good grounding. As you now realise it bares little resemblance to conversational French. Comment Allez vous, become Ca Va?.
Likewise it is unliekly tat you would say " Je Voudrais deux bierre, sil vous plai", you are much more liekely to say "Deux Bierre sil vous plait, ce toute".
I think it is useful to throw in little pleasantries too. 'd'accord', it show a more relaxed approach to the language.
I buy French Vogue a) becasue I prefer the content b) beacuse i9t is my subject, then I can try and decypher the language and gain a greater understanding.
It has to be fun. I hated French at school, but I love it now.
Many people understand more than they speak but this will eventually balance out and you'll have much more to say with confidence.
------------- CAT
Favourite site:
Camping Nanzel, Limone, Lake
Garda..perfect for MTB, Kayak, SUP and fell running training.
Favourite areas: Provence, French Alps, Savigny (as a stop over for Southern France: Rhein valley as a stop over for Italy. 78
BobCat10 reads French Vogue - I read Le Caravannier, or Le Monde de Plein Aire! Both are caravanning magazines. We also buy a local newspaper, which generally in the localities we holiday in is the Midi Libre. This contains local news, a bit of international news (though never enough to be intrusive) and all those salacious details of local crimes which you never get in British local papers!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
VAL - stil no postings from Mike Gallagher. I know he wsn't well 18 months ago..I do hope he's OK.
------------- CAT
Favourite site:
Camping Nanzel, Limone, Lake
Garda..perfect for MTB, Kayak, SUP and fell running training.
Favourite areas: Provence, French Alps, Savigny (as a stop over for Southern France: Rhein valley as a stop over for Italy. 78
I subscibe to a magazine called Bien Dire which is bimonthly and comes with a cd.It is interesting and has translations of some phrases. Its for english who are trying to speak french.
We also have France 24 and Canal 5 on cable tv.
I read Le Monde online.
Can thoroughly recommend the OU, I have a diploma now which is equivalent to half a degree.
------------- DS-There's more to life than football!!!
Well we are not on our own, the Dutch seem to have a hard time speaking French as much as we do, but I guess the Dutch have to cope with their own language and English as well, not to mention adding French to their repertoire.
Anyway I have done a fair few French night school course in my time, even got the certificates to prove it, but if I am trueful I have never been able to grasp the language, but I always try to speak a little French when we are over in France, but it never goes as planned.
For me I think the only way I could learn to speak French properly is to go and live there for a year or three.
I did see an article on the BBC News the other day, there is now a computer program that converts the spoken word in real time, to your language of choice.
I will only be a matter of time, before this technology filters down into a handheld device, of course you would need two units, one for yourself and one for your intended foreign speaking victim.
In fact I would find such a device quite useful, even down at my local Tesco, I wonder if they will program Polish into as well?
Whatever you do, don't try to learn French from Spiral. The subtitles don't do it justice at all. It's full of very dodgy Parisian slang (verlan). Les flics are all called 'keuf' and women all called 'meuf', for example. It will get you into a lot of trouble on campsites in the idyllic countryside!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Speaking the Lingo!
