Learning French

[richarddeary]

Originally Posted by Bob Kent

Try the verbalplanet website which is basically skype lessons. It worked well for me.

Bob

I'd like to do a course based in the UK.

Has anyone been to Alliance Francaise? Is it any good? What about other private language schools?

What about the same in France?

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by richarddeary

I'd like to do a course based in the UK.

Has anyone been to Alliance Francaise? Is it any good? What about other private language schools?

What about the same in France?

Alliance Française has an excellent reputation, but it is traditional French language teaching - lots of grammar and lots of translation. Other schools take other approaches - example: Berlitz tends to emphasize speaking the language over all the other skills.

It all depends on how you learn languages best. There are some excellent self-study programs available (Assimil, Rosetta Stone, Berlitz, etc.) but if you don't sit down and listen to the CDs on a regular basis and do the exercises, you won't learn a thing.

There are a number of short-term intensive French programs in Paris or in other areas around France where you live nearby and really have to immerse yourself in the language for a week or two, or a month or more. It's tough at first, but probably the most realistic way to learn a language.

All the grammar in the world seems irrelevant the first time you're confronted with a situation where you HAVE to speak and understand French - stopped by a policeman, in a shop or asking or giving directions, for example. Your first couple months here you will feel like all those French lessons were for naught. But it gets better the more you dare to open your mouth and make mistakes.
Cheers,
Bev

[andy in germany]

I have a similar question regarding German to this one. Where can I find a good UK based school for learning German. (I'm also interested in French, though that's already been addressed).

I tried a Volkshochschule in Germany but it didn't really work for me. Any suggestions? Either in Germany or the UK.

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by andy in germany

I have a similar question regarding German to this one. Where can I find a good UK based school for learning German. (I'm also interested in French, though that's already been addressed).

I tried a Volkshochschule in Germany but it didn't really work for me. Any suggestions? Either in Germany or the UK.

The national champion for German instruction anywhere in the world is the Goethe Institute. Goethe-InstitutGreat Britain - Welcome to the Goethe-Institut in Great Britain

Otherwise, most of the sources I noted for French would also apply for German: Berlitz, Rosetta Stone, Assimil, etc. It all depends how you best learn.
Cheers,
Bev

[oubraim]

Originally Posted by frenchtoast

Do you know French? Did you have to learn when moved here? Or, did you know it before?

Do you think it is hard to learn French?

dear

if you want to learn french pls let me know , i am giving private courses

Regards

[maria0301]

Originally Posted by oubraim

dear

if you want to learn french pls let me know , i am giving private courses

Regards

Hi, whereabouts in France are you??

[oubraim]

dear

i am in dubai

[maria0301]

Originally Posted by oubraim

dear

i am in dubai

oh dear thats not going to be much use we will be in the Vendee.....

[richarddeary]

I just wanted to say thank you for all your help in assisting me to find a French course. I finally went on an intensive, weekend course run by a London based language school - and it was just fantastic.

I learnt a serious amount of vocabulary and actually got the grammar. It was a small group and no endless use of grammar terms I didn't understand, which actually quite plagued me on other courses I've taken. Anyway, thank you all very much!

[andy in germany]

What was the name of the course, school etc? Some of the rest of us might be interested, you know : )