| We'll assume the fact that you're reading this | | | | regularly. |
| article means you have some interest in speaking | | | | This is the essence of the immersion technique |
| French and we'll further assume that you're | | | | and it works very well, but clearly it's not practical |
| prepared to put some effort into it because | | | | for everyone. The expense involved is a stretch |
| learning French requires some work. It can be fun, | | | | for some, the time commitment is another |
| it can be easier and faster than you probably | | | | drawback and the availability of suitable courses |
| thought, but if you want to learn to speak French | | | | can prevent some from taking French classes - |
| fluently you're going to have to give it some time. | | | | though I would urge you to do so if at all possible. |
| How much time? Well that really depends on you. | | | | So if we have to make a choice of one style of |
| The popular approach now - which is successful | | | | French learning, which should it be? Not long ago |
| for good reason - is the immersion technique. Get | | | | we would have been restricted to either trying to |
| a French book, go to French classes, get some | | | | learn from a book, a tape or a class. Now we |
| kind of French learning CD or MP3 so you can | | | | have the additional resource of the pc and the |
| study on the move. Some even suggest osmosis | | | | internet and it's a revolution in teaching. |
| - learning while you sleep - by playing French | | | | For the first time we can buy a single program |
| language audio programs through an earpiece. | | | | which will allow us to listen to MP3s in the car, on |
| All of these are valid methods for learning French | | | | the train or just walking around. The same |
| although I can't speak personally for the osmosis | | | | program can challenge us with games and puzzles |
| system (I do think you learn well by playing a | | | | on the PC and give us written exercises as well. It |
| French MP3 just before going to bed though). The | | | | lacks just a physical teacher to be the complete |
| point here is to immerse yourself in the learning | | | | educational resource. |
| and the French language. To learn French | | | | So if you were looking for a single method to |
| intensively, even to listen to French radio stations | | | | learn to speak French fluently I would recommend |
| or watch French films. I find listening to French | | | | one of the downloadable systems available online. |
| news very helpful - you get a good mix of | | | | If you've been looking into French CDs you'll |
| different stories and the subjects are constantly | | | | probably have seen price tags in the $300 range |
| changing. If you have the facility to record them | | | | but there are much more affordable and more |
| you can play them back with a French to English | | | | extensive programs available for a third of the |
| dictionary at hand. Even if you don't get all of it, | | | | price or less. |
| you'll be surprised how much sinks in if you do it | | | | |