[Closed] best way to learn a little holiday french?

I wouldn't bother. The French all speak English, and relish the opportunity to practice it. They just love us going over there, and are polite and courteous at all times.

There will be the odd one or two who haven't fully embraced the English language. When you encounter these [i]simply.... talk.... a .... little... slower[/i] [b].... AND.... LOUDER[/b]

That'll do the trick 😉

It's worth having a search on here as I think there was a big discussion on it a while back. Fwiw I've never found the 'assimilate just by listening' things or podcasts anything other than a waste of time. I think any of the 'proper' books such as Teach Yourself French along with a wee Berlitz phrase book does a brilliant job. You need to put in a bit of work but it's easily worth it. Also make sure you get the tapes/CDs as understanding what is being asked is just as important

Enjoy. It's great fun

try a Michel Thomas course on CD-it concentrates on conversational language & gradually builds simple phrases into more complex sentences. Some grammar is added along the way.
currently looking for a German course on Ebay or Amazon.

You could also ask on here and I'm sure some of the more fluent members could help you build a phrase book

Anyone?

http://www.memrise.com

Is very good.

Binners a raison. La France est la première destination touristique au monde avec presque trois fois plus de visiteurs que les îsles Britanniques. Les habitants savent que le salut économique français passe par le bon acceuil des étrangers. De plus, ils adorent parler les langues étrangères et ça serait dommage de leur priver de l'occasion de pratiquer leur anglais.

Try grabbing a French app, they generally have a few keywords or phases which come in handy

Listen to a French internet radio station when you can. I like Beur FM, but that's Arab French so prob not what you want.

Also, find a French lady to sleep with who can teach you the language.

The best way would be to live there. Other less perfect options are available.

The French all speak English, and relish the opportunity to practice it

This is far from true. I reckon fewer people in France speak English than in most other countries. You're ok in cities or main tourist destinations, probably.

De plus, ils adorent parler les langues étrangères et ça serait dommage de leur priver de l'occasion de pratiquer leur anglais

C'est vrai dans tout les pays, je crois.

Top tip though - listen really carefully to French people speaking French, and really mimic the accent. The accent is a big part of it, and in my experience if you just repeat an english sounding version of the French words they'll wonder wtf you are on about - the policeman above is heavily grounded in reality 🙂

Put on the accent of whatever you're trying to speak. I had a mate who was learning Japanese, and for a laugh one day he spoke in a comedy Monkey-style Japanese accent. The teacher was stunned and told him it was perfect.

Put on the accent of whatever you're trying to speak

Surprisingly true really. If you're having difficulty being understood putting on an 'allo 'allo accent really works

This is far from true

It's just possible that he wasn't being entirely serious.

I found Michel Thomas very good for learning survival-level Spanish; I expect it's the same for French.

Watch and learn....

Michel Thomas +1

try a Michel Thomas course on CD-it concentrates on conversational language & gradually builds simple phrases into more complex sentences. Some grammar is added along the way.

+1

Managed my first ever (fairly rubbish admittedly) conversation in French last summer rather than just ordering food etc due to listening to a Michel Thomas CD on the drive down.

Surprisingly true really

Surprising til you think about it - putting on a French accent to improve your French ought to work 🙂

Did you do any French at school ? If you have at least some basics I'd suggest finding a topic you are interested in - like surfing - and reading some French websites/magazine articles. Then trying to build from there with one or two basic introductory books/online resources. I find it easier to read and listen than to speak, well I can speak but no one can understand me.

FWIW I think listening to French radio/tv will be very tough for a beginner - I cannot follow French TV/movies without French subtitles (I did take a years worth of night school classes and an exam and am allegedly top of "intermediate" level !)

everything you ever need right here . . .

One tip I was given is once you've learned a bit of French, read a children's book you're familiar with. For example "Charlie et la Chocolaterie". You'll know the story well enough to be able to follow it without referring to a dictionary every page.

On the Youtube trail ..

I think watching TV is a very good idea even if you don't understand much to start with. I speak German pretty well despite never learning the language formally. I have, however, watched at least half an hour of German TV a day for over ten years. Spending a week or so immersed with German friends who don't speak English or French as well as I speak German is when I progress most. The girlfriend thing is a top tip for any language.

+1 on the allo allo accent.

My Mum's French and 40+ years in England later and she still sounds exactly like allo allo... seriously...

Also, find a French lady to sleep with who can teach you the language.

wife says that option is out, damn! daughter's language teacher at school (french as well) is lovely too.

Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu!

Wouldn't really be a very rounded vocabulary 😉

Michel Thomas' top tip = at least 80% of English words are French, so you already have a good vocabulary. Combine this with the aforementioned Allo Allo accent & you're getting close. My big tip that works wonders for me is have your car radio tuned to a French station (long wave is best for this) for a good couple of months before going. The reason for this is that although you may have a great vocabulary, the speed of dialogue makes it hard to follow, and the regional accents can have a big affect on how a word sounds. For example, in the south west Landes region Oui (yes) is usually pronounced [i]Way[/i], whereas in Paris it is the more nasal [i]Wee[/i]. Again, it works a treat for me and really helps you 'tune in' to the language.

Put another way, if you go to night class your ear will become attuned to other English French learners, not the real thing.

I think watching TV is a very good idea even if you don't understand much to start with.

Yes, but kids' TV is even better imo.

Subtitled TV and films though are good for learning little idioms and contractions that people use. However be careful - they are easy to pick up but along with a good accent can give people the impression you're fluent when you're not.

Singing along to songs improves pronunciation.

What happened to video integration in STW?

And if ever you feel "ici tout est joué d'avance et l'on n'y peut rien changer" you'll have the tools to invent yourself a new life "là-bas".

Try:

http://www.rfi.fr/lfen/statiques/accueil.asp

http://www.rfi.fr/player/player.asp?Player=Win&Stream=http://telechargement.rfi.fr.edgesuite.net/rfi/francais/audio/journaux/derniers/journal_francais_facile.mp3.asx&iframe=http://www.rfi.fr:80/statiques/playerAudioPageDescDefaut.asp&video=dernier_journal&s=undefined&s2=&xtpage=undefined&xt_multc=undefined&donneesassocies=

http://radiolingua.com/shows/french/coffee-break-french/

sorry I couldn't really be bothered doing the linky thing...

Anyway, I found a french speaking sleeping *ahem* partner works but not as well as everyone would imagine. We were together in UK for 6 or so years then moved over here to Frnace about 4 years ago. I work in English, form home, and I to be fair put more effort into my french when in the UK, however I am a lot more confident now....

Depends what sort of person you are, throing yourself in the dee end really works for some.

My english seems to be getting worse too...

Before long you'll prefer the French versions of films, Mugsys. There are some actors I prefer in English such as Clint but others are much beter in French to my ears. Madame can't stand watching Barnaby (John Nettles being snooty) in English but we have to watch the French version every Sunday.

I really didn't get on with the michel thomas cd at all, maybe just an incompatible brain thing.