10 fun tips to learn French

Learning another language is a wonderful experiment in self development, it’s an investment in yourself which will reward you in ways you have never imagined. Because I’m bilingual, I have the incredible chance to write this from Madagascar (formerly a French Colony). This year, I’ve been to Europe, North America and Africa seven or eight times with my family, all because my company needed at least a few French speaking Engineers on my project.
Several of my colleagues here are well on their way to learn to speak French. So I’ve got many examples of success. Here are 10 fun (and some wacky) tips, which are guaranteed to teach you French in record speed and effortlessly!

1. My friend Marcel is a prime example of the most direct way to learn another language. When he wanted to learn Spanish, he didn’t fool around, he had a job offer in South America. He got himself a couple of books and moved to Barcelona for two months! Extreme example, but at the end of two months, he was bilingual and he had a lot of fun along the way. If you plan on spending thousands on learning, that’s the way to go (except go to Paris for French!)

2. A more accessible way to learn is to enrol in a French Course at your local school or community college. A good way to learn, but personally, I never really liked school so with online audio courses, I can learn at my leisure.

3. Watch movies, youtube, videos. At the beginning, try to get French movies subtitled in English. You’re probably already familiar with great actors such as Jean Reno or Gérard Depardieux, they’ve made absolutely fantastic French movies, you’ll love to learn French with some of these guys! And you haven’t even touched French Music yet!

4. Study with a buddy, challenge yourselves, have someone you can practice with, throw ideas, carry conversations as you learn, compare notes!

5. Be determined to learn and make a commitment. Make a list of 10 benefits you’ll derive from learning French and stick it on your refrigerator. Make it fun and exciting. Here’s a good one; plan a trip around the French world such as Quebec-Martinique-France-Madagascar-Mauritius-New Guinea, Papua- Tahiti and then back to Quebec. You’ll have visited some of the most incredible locations in the world and they all speak French.

6. Get a French English dictionary, keep it with you and refer to it, in a few months you can leave it home.

7. Here’s another fun activity; find a buddy online with who you can chat with. As I mentioned earlier, I’m writing from Madagascar right now, it’s a poor country but the people are fantastic. Do you know how happy they would be to be offered the chance to exchange ideas with someone from the other side of the world? I know, I do it every day!

8. Change the language of your browser to French (in Internet Explorer, click on “Tool – Internet options – Languages”). Also make your home page to http://www.google.fr/, or http://www.yahoo.fr/ or use your favourite site if it’s available in French. Also, listen to French radio stations online; like I said before, the music’s great!

9. For Pete’s sake, don’t be afraid to use your newfound skills with French people. The great majority will appreciate your efforts and will be more than happy to help you along. Many will try to practice their English on you as well, so play along!

10. Finally, the “piece de résistance”, the very best way to learn. Get a French Lover. There is nothing sexier than an English accent for a French person of the opposite sex. And the things you will learn!

And there you have it, my 10 fun tips to learn to speak French. I hope you’ll go for it, apply yourself and reap the benefits.