French is one of the most taught languages in the world. It was originally from France, but now, French is the official language for roughly 30 countries. These countries are known as Francophone countries.
Interestingly, French is one of the easiest languages to learn as an English speaker. It has a similar vocabulary to English. If you intend to travel to a francophone country for work or vacation, you must brush up on your French-speaking skills.
It gets more exciting that you can learn another language from home. You can learn French without teachers and tutors. If you are curious, keep reading this piece to discover intriguing ways to become a master of French.
Use Language Learning Apps for French
Constant practice is required when learning something new. It is highly essential for mastery. When you practice frequently, it allows you to stay focused and up-to-date.
You also need to know that regular practice differs from choking your brain with all the information. Taking French bit by bit allows your brain to rest and be ready to assimilate new information.
Additionally, the daily practice of French enables your brain to stay younger. Not just French speakers but all bilinguals. Studies have revealed that it takes up to 5 years before Alzheimer’s symptoms are discovered in elderly bilinguals compared to elderly monolinguals. This is one more reason you should practice French regularly.
The next hurdle is the accurate pronunciation of French words. Even though French vocabulary is similar to English, there are differences in pronunciations. French words are more stressed than English words. Plus, they may sound different. If you don’t live in a Francophone country, it may be extremely tricky to pronounce words like a native speaker.
You also can not practice daily without a program or curriculum. A curriculum guides your learning and ensures you learn new things every day. It can be complex to create a curriculum from scratch. Nonetheless, French learners can stick with learning apps and platforms. These apps are designed with a curriculum. You only need to download your preferred app and follow their lessons.
Another advantage of French learning apps is voiced lessons. These apps feature pre-recorded lessons from native French voice-over artists. Plus, their classes are taught in bit sizes. So, it is much easier to hear accurate pronunciations and follow a curriculum. Remember, it takes regular practice to gain mastery. Hence, focus on taking the lessons one step at a time but on a regular basis.
Read French Books and Other Resources
After utilizing learning apps, I’d guess you are already good at a few phrases. Now, it’s time to step up. It is important to still stick with your learning app. However, you need to learn better vocabulary. Find a subject you are interested in, pick up a book or written content in that subject, and then read it up.
While reading, it is normal to stumble on new words. Pick up a French dictionary, or check online for its meaning.
Reading books and online articles may be complex for your skill level. If you find it intimidating, start with bedtime stories and children books. Children’s books match your level of proficiency.
Additionally, you can get yourself a kindle. Kindle is great for language learners as it has an integrated vocabulary. When users tap a word in the book, it reveals the meaning of such words. So, aside from the context of the books, you can also update your vocabulary. Learning new words within a context can foster retention.
Listen to French Media
When you travel to a foreign country and return home, all languages seem natural to you. That’s your brain at work. It has become used to the language you frequently hear. After your brain accommodates a new language, it adapts to the changes in the sounds around you.
Since you already know this fact, it is high time you used it to your advantage. Surround your immediate environment with the French Language. If you are not in a French-speaking country, then the next option is to listen to French media.
Check out French films, music, podcasts, and even French Television stations. You can check out Mommy, a song with French words.
Personalize your Learning Methods
We’d all agree that everyone’s learning style is different. When learning from home, there are no other students. So, you have the chance to tailor your learning method. Let’s look at some of the known learning methods.
Visual
Visual learners appreciate the use of photos and imagery. Visual learners grasp information quicker with the aid of maps, images, charts, videos, and graphic organizers. Pictures and graphic content facilitate retention for visual learners. As a visual learner, you can watch video tutorials of French, YouTube videos, and movies. You can also create flashcards to help you remember new vocabulary.
Auditory
Auditory implies sounds. Auditory learners prefer to listen while learning. They also value repetition as they may have to listen to a sound repeatedly to grasp a new concept. To learn French at home, opt for audiobooks, audio lessons, and apps with voice-over recordings. Plus, you can also engage in French conversations and listen to podcasts.
Reading and Writing
Some learners prefer to learn with written words. If you fall in this category, you’ll find that you like reading texts, jotting notes, underlining, and writing articles. Learners who enjoy reading should pick up more French books, jot down French words from online lessons, or make a word list.
Kinesthetic
Kinesthetic learners love to figure out things with their hands-on exploration. As a kinesthetic learner, you can learn French by incorporating activities into your daily life. You may want to change your phone’s language to French or read recipes and cookbooks.
Use French when Talking to Yourself
If you don’t have a friend who understands French, talk to yourself. Yes, use your imagination. Express your thoughts in French. When you can compose a line of thought in French, it shows you are gaining mastery of the language. With time, your dreams may also be in French.
Place Sticky Notes around your Home
There are some vocabularies that you may struggle to commit to memory. They just won’t stick. Well, you can use sticky notes. Before you paste a sticky note, ensure you are struggling to memorize that word. After writing the words on sticky notes, place them on the spots you spend the most time in—for example, your reading desk, bathroom walls, Fridge in the Kitchen, etc.
Integrate Tech and French
Our gadgets and electronics have become a crucial part of our lives. We work, research, and have fun on our devices. Interestingly, these technologies primarily utilize language. Hence, it can be used for mastering French.
Most devices always have language settings. French is a popular language, so it is always available in language settings. Now, take a few minutes to update your language settings to French. Pick up your smartphone, television, favorite app, game, computer, etc., then change the language to French. Before you do this, ensure you know how to restore back the previous language settings.
Since you use your devices quite frequently, it may be easy to navigate without total mastery of French. It may not be as complicated as you think. Once you start using your technologies in French, your muscle memory will naturally pick up.
With new language settings, you’ll quickly grasp new vocabulary—Tech and non-tech words. You’ll become conversant with everyday tech words which were not included in your lesson app.
You can also change your language setting on Netflix. Netflix automatically resets subtitles to French, although you can still adjust it manually. On-screen prompts will also appear in French. You also need not worry about other viewers on your account, as Netflix allows language settings to be per profile.
Get a Dictionary
A dictionary can come in handy whenever you experience any difficult word. There are different kinds of dictionaries that will aid your learning. You can consider getting a standard French dictionary or settle for a pocket dictionary. Examples of standard dictionaries are The Collins Robert French Unabridged Dictionary and the Larousse Concise French-English Dictionary.
Alternatively, you can also get a frequency dictionary. This type of dictionary is best for beginners as they contain the most popular words. With a frequency dictionary, you can quickly grasp the essential vocabulary without wasting time.
Use an Object Translator
Some apps scan, recognize and translate objects into any desired language. You can download an app like FlashAcademy—object translator as a new learner. With this app, you can scan items in your home and quickly discover the French word. It is also an excellent way to improve your vocabulary while traveling.
Wrapping Up
You don’t necessarily need to attend physical classes or hire a tutor to learn French. You can learn French by introducing the language into your daily life. In this article, we’ve highlighted strategic ways to learn French from your home. Follow these steps and ensure that you also practice consistently to attain mastery.