muffya
Junior Member
Posts: 84
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Post by muffya on Sept 27, 2007 11:12:39 GMT -5
Sistereurope-I exalt you for learning passe compose! In my book, that is the hardest tense to master (still don't get it completely!) I wish I had time to take lessons, only time to shuttle my kids to their french lessons. Now the only french I get is the CDs we listen to for their lessons. Actually, I understand it! Its kind of nice to learn it at a kid's level, lots of songs and very repetitive.
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Post by sistereurope on Sept 27, 2007 11:27:07 GMT -5
Thanks muffya! I have been working my derriére off for the past few months...finally some things are starting to click. I am lucky to have found such a good teacher, too, especially for a non-credit class. The last class I attempted was totally lame - our book was called "French is FUN", which should have been a tip off. It sure wasn't any FUN! At least you're hearing some French in the car - it's better than nothing! Actually Annette, I was feeling your pain when I read about your class. It sounds like the one I dropped out of...at least you're ahead of the rest of the class, tho...
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Sept 27, 2007 11:55:32 GMT -5
Although it won't teach you grammar, I still recommend my standby phrasebook, "French at a Glance." I've used it since my first trip and have given it to many other first time visitors.
I like it because for many types of situations, it has all sorts of sentences to address things that could come up, such as travel by train or bus, car repair, restaurant ordering, etc. (For instance, in the hotel section there is a base sentence like "The ____ does not work" or "I need a _____" and then a whole list of things that might be appropriate as fill-ins, with the pronunciation.) Of course, it has some simple conversation and the numbers, days, months, etc., etc. It also has basics like road signage, etc. That plus a fairly complete pocket dictionary are all I usually use, and I've rarely been at a total loss.
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Post by sistereurope on Jan 3, 2008 13:37:49 GMT -5
Andi and all: I FORGOT ALMOST ALL OF THAT D**M FRENCH that I worked SO HARD to learn!!!! ;D ;D Really, I just got so tongue-tied!! It was a bit frustrating because they were things that I KNEW that I knew how to say, but completely forgot when it came down to actually SPEAKING! I did have an easier time than before ordering and with the most basic things...and I understood much more than I had ever been able to understand...but man, this language learning is NOT easy. SO I ahve to say that I admire all of you who are fluent in more than one language!! And I am going to continue with my lessons, despite my small setback...
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Post by Darcy on Jan 3, 2008 23:48:14 GMT -5
Sister, I feel your pain. I continually take French classes and it seems, to me at least, that I remember nothing! You're right, it is extremely frustrating. Perhaps I'm a little too hard on myself though, because the college French teacher left a phone message for me just before Christmas saying that I made a 99 on the final exam, the highest in the class. I hope this doesn't sound like bragging, but I am proud of myself. BUT, I won't remember any of it a week from now!
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jan 4, 2008 0:00:34 GMT -5
I think the only answer is repetition - so, "sorry" but you "must" return often, in the interest of developing your language skills!
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Post by Shoesy on Jan 4, 2008 0:19:59 GMT -5
Darcy - I've exalted you for being the best student in your class. Forgetting what you've learned is normal, albeit frustrating, but it's important not to give up. Keep up the good work. You too, Sis! Oh, and yes.......the best way to really learn a language is to be in the country where it's spoken. I'm sure that's the only reason I have really managed to master the Hebrew language.
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Post by Truffaut on Jan 4, 2008 10:46:27 GMT -5
There's simply no replacement for being imersed in the language. Tapes and books are fine, but until you're required to "think on your feet", language learning is difficult. Honestly, it never gets easier because the better you get the more fluent native speakers think you are. And then they raise the ante by using more complex sentences and vocabulary. It's a catch-22. The good thing is that my experience shows the French to be extremely patient with those who are honestly trying to speak their language (much more so than we Americans are patient with non-English speakers).
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Post by sistereurope on Jan 4, 2008 11:07:23 GMT -5
All true! I agree Truffaut - when I did manage to remember something more complicated than the simple sentence, I was greeted with a reply that went WAY over my head! But just about EVERYONE we encountered was gracious at my lame attempts, which made it so much easier to deal with. I even managed to communicate with the hairdresser and my mom and I came out of the experience looking better than when we went in, so I guess there's hope yet ;D (A big THANKS Anne and Phread! The woman at the hair salon spoke very little english, but with your pointers I was able to tell her what we wanted. She was very nice...and very patient!!!)
Darcy - congrats!!! We can share notes - I'm going to suck it up and sign up for the next level. Someday perhaps something will truly stick!
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Post by annettecinca on Jan 4, 2008 12:54:45 GMT -5
Sis, I can SO relate! I was frustrated just like you, not to be able to "think on my feet" (thanks for the perfect phrase, T). I KNEW I knew what to say, I just couldn't pull it out of my brain fast enough to be of any use! I haven't been back to my French class since our trip. I was so discouraged at the last class I attended just before we left, because a whole flock of new students arrived and the teacher started back at the beginning (grrrrr).
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Post by Darcy on Jan 4, 2008 14:30:06 GMT -5
There is not much demand for French at my small town community college so I have my doubts that the next level of French will be taught this spring. I don't care about the college credits, of course, but it's fun to challenge myself by taking the tests. I should know soon if there will be a class.
Truff, you are absolutely right, the only solution to my French language problem is to move to Paris! ;D
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keylimejet
Full Member
"When good Americans die, they go to Paris." Oscar Wilde
Posts: 140
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Post by keylimejet on May 2, 2008 20:34:00 GMT -5
Becky - I love my French at a Glance phrasebook too. It's amazingly comprehensive for it's small size! However, I really wanted to become conversant in French. So I saved for a long, long time, got some frequent flyer tickets, and rented a cheap apartment in Aix for a month. I took an intensive class (4 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks). It was sooo much harder than I thought, but I really did learn a lot. Towards the end of the month, I would even catch myself thinking in French sometimes. However, even with all that, I was far from fluent. I think it would take living there for at least a year, if not longer. That's not to say evening classes at the community college aren't fun too! I've done them, and really enjoyed it. Plus, after all that, I haven't had much opportunity to practice since I've come home, and have forgotten most of what I learned! I've gotten sidetracked getting my Master's (can't do that, work, and learn French at the same time!), but I swear I will go back to studying French when I finish my degree.
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Post by mez on Jun 2, 2008 1:03:02 GMT -5
Well, folks, I have jumped on the bandwagon and signed up for French classes. I am officially a member a member of Alliance Francaise and will be starting classes on 23rd June. I have signed up for the beginners class, but the woman at the centre is convinced I could have jumped that . In any case, she said to go along and the teacher can make an assessment in the first couple of weeks and I can move to the next level if needed. If I continue until I leave, I will have completed 2 terms, which would be good. The best thing is the facilities - a French brasserie, a library filled with books, DVDs and music CDs plus current French magazines available for purchase! ;D Now I just have to wait for the term to start...where's the tapping foot smiley?
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 2, 2008 1:15:19 GMT -5
That sounds wonderful, Mez! I'm sure you'll not only be an excellent student, but you'll have a lot of fun learning the language. Good luck!
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Post by annettecinca on Jun 2, 2008 9:28:48 GMT -5
Congrats for taking the plunge, Mez! Good luck with your classes--I'm sure it will be wonderful and you'll take away many new skills for your next trip. You make the Alliance Francaise sound fab! I wish we had one closer to us than Los Angeles (that's not a very pleasant drive from here).
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Post by kittyhead on Jun 4, 2008 7:27:59 GMT -5
congrats to you all for taking the plunge!! it is really intimidating for me to attempt to speak a foreign language so it's awesome! bonne chance! i need to brush up on my french before our trip in late july. it'll probably be lots of old french movie watching (older movies are easier to understand... less slang!), just to get the ear back. i took 2 years of french in HS, then another 3 semesters in college, but that was over 20 years ago (gulp). i think i did fine with my french my two trips there in 2002 & 2003, and truffaut is right, immersion is the best way to get into it. people were so nice when you tried to speak french and they spoke slower so i could understand. does anyone find canadian french hard to understand? i found i couldn't understand it versus french french...
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Post by phread on Jun 4, 2008 13:06:26 GMT -5
the french find canadian french hard to understand.. quebec films come here with subtitles!!!
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Post by kittyhead on Jun 4, 2008 17:48:59 GMT -5
whew, thanks phread, i thought it was me!!
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Post by ouiparis on Jun 5, 2008 0:30:26 GMT -5
I'm joining the club and jumping on the bandwagon. I'm taking an 8-week beginner's course at a private language school. It starts in July. Can't wait! ;D
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Post by ouiparis on Jul 23, 2008 16:30:01 GMT -5
I'm going to my second class today. I absolutely loved it last week. The CDs I've been listening to and learning from for the past several months gave me an edge over everyone else, especially with the accent (not that I'm nearly close to sounding like a real French person). Listening to the other people in my class reminded me of the solo traveler in Paris Je'taime. I'm not putting them down, but they brought a smile to my face.
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