Elsa’s Tips on How to Learn French

Learning or relearning a language as an adult can be difficult, but it can be done. Find tools that work for you, practice practice practice, and NEVER give up.

When looking for the right tools to learn French, don't forget the most important: commitment.

When looking for the right tools to learn French, don’t forget the most important: commitment.

Bonjour ! Comment ça va? (Hello! How are you?) I have been away from blogging about Paris for too long. I have many reasons for this — excuses, really — but one reason is that I have been focusing on learning French. Some day, I hope to move to France, whether it is to retire or to work, or both. Although more French people than ever are learning English, it is important to me to learn their language, for it is the only way to truly immerse myself in the French culture. And what better way for me to show how much I love France than to learn French?

I am the first to acknowledge that different people learn differently. That said, here are my tips on how to learn French.

1. Focus on learning French like you learned English, learning sounds (phonics), words, and putting together short sentences. Yes, this is how a child learns their first language: Since this method works for them, it will work for you. Look for children’s books on teaching French (see below). No need to be embarrassed: no one will know.

2. Watch “Learn French With Alexa” Videos. Click here: Overview of Learn French With Alexa Lessons 1-55.  Many people offer free French lessons on YouTube. Even though I took a year of French many years ago, I wanted to start from the very beginning, as I’ve stated above. Most lessons have you learning phrases without learning sounds or grammar. I found what I was looking for in Alexa, who teaches French from the ground up. After her first lesson on greetings, she teaches sounds, words, small sentences…everything I was looking for in a French teacher. She is also very funny: an added bonus. I highly recommend using ear buds to listen to language videos. You can miss the nuances of pronunciation without them.I watch her videos a minimum of 3 times: once as introduction, then to take notes, and a third time to go over the notes. I often also write words and phrases on flash cards to let the words sink in and become part of my way of thinking. I have watched at least one verb video 50 times to make sure I grasp it; after all, reciting what I’ve learned while watching a video is one thing — to be able to call upon it in the moment of conversation is something else. Repetition is key! I can still hear Miss Dawson, my first English teacher, saying,”Attention ! Écoutez, répétez après moi!” (Attention! Listen, repeat after me!) And we repeated and repeated and repeated…

I found these flash cards on Amazon. They include words in 17 categories, such as Travel, Time, Clothes, Food and Drink, and The Body.

I found these flash cards on Amazon. They include words in 17 categories, such as Travel, Time, Clothes, Food and Drink, and The Body.

3. Use French Vocabulary Flash Cards. This is just another way for me to build my French vocabulary. I have copied the flash card words onto my own flash cards to carry with me during my commutes (so as not to ruin the originals). The only problem with the flash cards is that they don’t give you the pronunciation. Which brings me to #4…

4. Use the French to English, English to French tool on Google. I love it! Again, use your ear buds to hear the nuances of pronunciation. Click here: Translate French to English Google link.

I found this book on Amazon. Once you start building your vocabulary, I recommend getting children's books in French to help learn French grammar.

I found this book on Amazon. Once you start building your vocabulary, I recommend getting children’s books in French to help learn French grammar.

5. Look for books aimed at children learning French, such as French for Middle/High School by Carson Dellosa Education. The book basically reiterates Alexa’s videos. But that’s just the point. There’s no such thing as redundancy in language learning: You have to go over lessons over and over and over again until you think in French.

6. Watch movies with more child characters than adults in French and in English with French subtitles, such as the Harry Potter series. Children, even in middle school and high school, are still developing their vocabulary and sentence structure, so they express their thoughts with less complexity than adults. This lower language complexity, when translated into another language, is perfectly suited for an adult to learn the new language. Also, since children tend to be less sophisticated speakers, they don’t generally talk so fast that you can’t hear individual words.

7. Listen to French music. Many people have told me to watch French news and movies to learn French. While I frequently see French movies at the French Embassy in DC (with English subtitles, thank heavens), the characters speak much too fast for me to hear individual words. French music is better for me at this stage of my learning French: it’s much easier to hear individual words, and I’m becoming familiar with French artists while I’m at it. I listen to the RJM French Music app: I  love Avance by Garou, De L’amour le mieux by Natasha St. Pierre, and Les Matins D’hiver by Gerard Lenorman, just to name a few.

8. Join a French group. Chances are, there are groups of native English speakers in your area who want to practice their French. A friend introduced me to one that meets in DC once a week: they meet in a church and go out to dinner together. I don’t feel I am quite ready for it, but I will attend their meetings when I am ready.

Surround yourself with French things and you will start to think in French.

Surround yourself with French things and you will start to think in French.

9. Surround yourself with French things. To learn a language, you have to learn to think in that language. I can think of no better way than to surround yourself with French things, such as a comforter with French words and pictures, French tea towels, a French clock, a Page-A-Day calendar of French locales, even a print from a French master painter, such as Monet or Renoir. These things help to transport you to France — at least in your mind, anyway — so you can think in French.  I am the first to admit that learning a language as an adult can be tough for a variety of reasons, especially because of the time it takes. All I can say is: Don’t give up. View any progress as real progress. Use any down time you can to practice or recite what you know. While I cook, I try to name all the kitchen items I use. While vacuuming, I recite all the parts of the room I can. I’ll review a small stack of flash cards while I’m waiting for my dinner to cook. If ever I start to feel hindered in my lessons, I think about how much I want to speak French when I travel to Paris the next time. It keeps me going. Find your own motivation to learn French and keep it in front of you. It will help you when you feel like quitting. It certainly has helped me.

Au revoir !

 

 

 

 

Learning French image by CanStockPhoto. French Vocabulary Flash Cards from Amazon, CCBY 2.0. French Workbook from Amazon, CCBY 2.0. Vintage French poster from Pinterest, CCBY 2.0.

 

 

 

11 Things to Know Before You Visit Paris

All cities have their idiosyncrasies. Here are 11 things to remember when visiting Paris.

Learn some basic French phrases before travelling to Paris.

Learn some basic French phrases before travelling to Paris.

1.  Learn at least some basic French phrases before stepping on the plane. Yes, I know this sounds obvious, but being a guest in a foreign country means doing your best to conform to them, not expecting natives to conform to you. You will win more points than you could know — even if the other speaker answers you in English (or in your own language).

Your credit card number and passport information can be stolen even if they never leave your pocket or purse.

Your credit card number and passport information can be stolen even if they never leave your pocket or purse.

2.  Buy an RFID-blocking wallet or case for your passport and credit cards. You can be robbed while travelling without a credit card or passport leaving your person. I previously published a post on this based on this story.

Have enough euros on you when you land in Paris for an emergency; if you have a layover first, even more of a reason.

Have enough euros on you when you land in Paris for an emergency; if you have a layover first, even more of a reason.

3.  Change at least $100 to euros per person before leaving. Some taxis don’t have credit card machines, and you want to be prepared for emergencies. Quite some time ago, I was literally hijacked by a taxi driver when I arrived in Athens, Greece, for a trip back to the U.S. Through an interpreter (as I said, he hijacked me: he took me to a Greek hotel where the manager served as interpreter) he demanded $50 (all of the money I had on me), which was to serve as payment for him “looking” for my destination, as well as my cab ride with the next guy. (A kickback?) Although I stood my ground as best I could and told him “my government will be looking for me” if I didn’t get to my destination in time for my next flight, had I had more money on me, I would have walked out of the hotel and flagged down the next cab that came my way.

Signage like this at Gare du Nord is to protect travelers as much as it is to direct them.

Signage like this at Gare du Nord is to protect travelers as much as it is to direct them.

4.  Don’t take a taxi from a Paris airport except from designated areas. I’ve generally used Charles de Gaulle Airport flying in and out of Paris. There were signs telling travelers where to pick up a taxi (outside glass doors), and a recording over  a loudspeaker warning travelers not to follow a taxi driver who comes into the airport to greet you. (Then, before you get in, check to be sure he has a credit card machine, if that’s your preferred method of payment.)

Don't give too much information to people in a taxi you don't know.

Don’t give too much information to people in a taxi you don’t know.

5.  Don’t share a taxi with someone you’ve just met and tell them where you’re staying. Seen Taken (2008) anyone?

The cavernous hallways and staircases of the Paris metro can be intimidating to the uninitiated.

The cavernous hallways and staircases of the Paris metro can be intimidating to the uninitiated.

6.  The Paris metro is a beast. Accept this before you go. The Paris metro is one of the largest and oldest metros in the world. Considering that you would be pressed to walk 10 minutes in the city and not find a metro stop, that means the lines are extensive and many. Bring your reading glasses if you need them because the print is small. Very small.

The souvenir shop at Le Tours France near the Eiffel Tower.

The souvenir shop at Le Tours France near the Eiffel Tower.

7.  Buy a souvenir you like as soon as you see it. This isn’t just because it might not be there when you go back to purchase it, it might increase in price, like what happened to me when I decided to buy a second frame I liked. The price had increased by 7 euros!

My experience has taught me that French women keep to themselves while shopping.

My experience has taught me that French women keep to themselves while shopping.

8.  If you’re a woman, don’t talk to fellow (French) woman shoppers. Many women bond with other women while shopping, as in, “Oh! Isn’t this cute?” or “What a great skirt/blouse/jacket!” French women will likely look at you uncomfortably and ignore you. I’ll give you 10 guesses how I know this. (By the way, if you’re a man, I’m not sure what would happen if you spoke to a French woman who is shopping. You’ll have to find that out for yourself.)

Have your purse or wallet handy to shove your euros into when receiving change after a purchase.

Have your purse or wallet handy to shove your euros into when receiving change after a purchase.

9.  Be prepared to shove your money in a pocket or purse the instant you get your change. I like to be very organized, but being and remaining organized takes time. I was at the receiving end of a glare or two while I tried to shove my euros into my Filofax’s plastic money pouch after receiving change. I later gave up using my Filofax for money and used a money pouch instead, better to stay out of the next customer’s way.

You won't get your way by screaming like a banshee in Paris. Keep cool, be civilized, and say "Bonjour" before calmly recounting your problem.

You won’t get your way by screaming like a banshee in Paris. Keep cool, be civilized, and say “Bonjour” before calmly recounting your problem.

10. If you’re upset about something, say “Bonjour” (Hello) before calmly recounting the reason you’re upset to the person who can help you. On several occasions over the course of a month, the Paris metro fare card machines would not accept my Visa debit card. Frustrated, the last time this happened I stormed over to the metro official behind the glass at Blanche station and started to launch into a tirade about my frustration. He took a deep breath and said, “Bon-jour, Madame.” I blinked at him. His greeting brought me back to reality: I was in Paris, where you were expected to act like a civilized person even when you are very upset — not like America, where the angriest and loudest among us are the ones who are catered to. Lesson learned.

A Parisian waiter takes a break in the "back room."

A Parisian waiter takes a break in the “back room.”

11. Remember when your favorite seafood/meat/produce guy at your local grocery store had a bad day and wasn’t as friendly as usual? That happens in France, too. Perhaps even more often, since Paris is one of the most-visited cities in the world, and as a consequence, Parisians have to deal with many lost and hungry tourists who don’t speak a word of French. If a French person happens to be not particularly friendly to you, don’t judge all French people based on your experience with that one person, just as you wouldn’t want a foreign traveler in the U.S. to base their perceptions of all Americans based on one American’s behavior. Am I right?

Au revoir!

 

“French Homework” by Ahson Wardak, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of thief with credit card by CanStockPhoto. Image of wallet with euros by Fufu Wolf, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Gare du Nord Signage by Brian Stokle, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. “Paris Taxi at Night” by Cberthel, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. “Metro Paris” by Doril Photography, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. “Le Tour’s Souvenir Shop” by Rui Riet, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Female Parisian shopper image by CanStockPhoto. Purse at the ready by CanStockPhoto. Image of Aristocratic Couple by CanStockPhoto. Waiter taking a break by Will Wilson, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.