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So I am absolutely determined to learn French (without going to a class) because I am Canadian, and French has quite a presence.
I am thinking of purchasing Rosetta Stone (although I'd rather Canadian exercizes because Quebecois French is a different dialect).
Is there are websites that can help me learn French including conjugations, basics, etc?
I read French fluently but do not speak it or understand spoken. I took a course in school that was strictly for reading knowledge. That's the name of the book I recommend for the basics of grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. Adults don't memorize words as easily as children but we are better in grasping grammatical concepts. This outstanding book provides those concepts which allows a much faster and far better rate of learning in spoken French and supplies a much better foundation than learning a spoken language without grammar. Learning a language wihout grammar is like learning to play a musical instrument without knowing how to read music. That's why we teach children the grammar of the language they already speak. It's too bad we can't learn it that way but that window closes at about 42 months of age.
I recommend this without reservation and it's easy to use on your own.
I read French fluently but do not speak it or understand spoken. I took a course in school that was strictly for reading knowledge. That's the name of the book I recommend for the basics of grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. Adults don't memorize words as easily as children but we are better in grasping grammatical concepts. This outstanding book provides those concepts which allows a much faster and far better rate of learning in spoken French and supplies a much better foundation than learning a spoken language without grammar. Learning a language wihout grammar is like learning to play a musical instrument without knowing how to read music. That's why we teach children the grammar of the language they already speak. It's too bad we can't learn it that way but that window closes at about 42 months of age.
I recommend this without reservation and it's easy to use on your own.
It never occurred to me it was possible to read a language fluently without knowing what it sounded like. I bet your mind's pronunciation of French, as you're reading, is hilarious. LOL!
It never occurred to me it was possible to read a language fluently without knowing what it sounded like. I bet your mind's pronunciation of French, as you're reading, is hilarious. LOL!
I know the fundamental pronunciation rules. But when I'm reading I don't pronounce the words in French any more than I pronounce words when reading English.
Not sure if they have this program at Canadian libraries, but here in the US (where I'm a public librarian), we have a Rosetta Stone-like program called Mango Languages. All you need is a library card, and you can access it 100% for free! They even have an app, so you can practice on-the-go with your smartphone. Wish more people knew about these services, before they started spending $$$ on Rosetta Stone... I'm mad at them anyway, for canceling all library subscriptions once they realized we cost them some customers. Bleh.
Here's the Mango website, but you would access it through the library websites if you want a free account: http://www.mangolanguages.com/
You can have some fun with English subtitled French films, where you get to hear the French spoken in a conversational manner. Just be forewarned that subtitles are often not literal translations, but changed to meet the expectations of the culture or for minimizing the amount of reading needed.
You can have some fun with English subtitled French films, where you get to hear the French spoken in a conversational manner. Just be forewarned that subtitles are often not literal translations, but changed to meet the expectations of the culture or for minimizing the amount of reading needed.
Or as you get a little knowledge choose French subtitles. When I watched more French films my comprehension was improving rapidly. I thank the previous poster for jogging my memory.
Learn your vocabulary words early, but also focus heavily on grammar. Read your grammar book every day. First work on learning your present tense verb conjugations. You should start forming sentences with a vocab list of maybe 15-20 words. Stick with present tense until you can have a good understanding of the regular verbs. After that work your way to past tense and then future. After you have a basic understanding of those, work on more specific verbs such as conditional etc etc.
Also you want to be a member of sharedtalk so you can practice your pronunciations with native speakers. Nothing is worse than learning to read a language and then speaking it like crap. Practice all parts.
You should dedicate 1 hour a day to French. It is more important for it to be every day than it is to be for a long time.
If you have any more questions , feel free to ask. I love languages
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