Learning to Speak French: Which Method is Right For You?

Many people ask: what is the best way to learn French?  Obviously, there’s not a definite answer to that question–you really need to follow your own learning path in order to find success.  When you decide to take the first step, you will most likely choose one of the following French learning methods:

• French language software
• take lessons from a private tutor
• take French classes at a local college
• participate in a language swap
• immersion in a French-speaking country such as France or Belgium
• other self-study materials, such a books and CDs

Get started by posing the following questions to yourself:

“Am I more comfortable learning French on my own, or will I function better in a teacher-student environment?  How disciplined am I?  Can I stay motivated on my own, or do I need a constant push?  Can I afford lessons, or do I need a really cost-effective way to learn French?”

Your answers will take you in either the direction of self-study or some sort of student-teacher scenario.

Here’s a look at the various pros and cons of the three best ways to learn French:

Private Tutoring:

Pros:  Hiring a private tutor is probably the best way to thoroughly learn the French language (apart from total French immersion, that is).  The individualized attention is invaluable because the tutor will work with you from the level where you are at, and help you learn new material at your ideal pace.  Ideally, with a private tutor, you have the opportunity to hear a native French speaker pronounce words and form sentences.

Cons:  You may end up spending a lot of money on private tutoring, as effective teachers are going to be expensive and in-demand.

French language class:

Pros: Like a private tutor, your teacher in a French class will most likely be a native French speaker, which is always an added benefit.  You’ll have plenty of opportunities in a French class to speak French aloud and hear many other people talking in the language–engaging with others in the language is certainly one of the best ways to learn it.  You will also find yourself motivated by the other students to keeping pushing forward, since you’re all striving for the same goal.

Cons:  Taking a class is also very expensive, depending on what type of program it is and where it is.  You may also find yourself restricted a bit, since you will be learning at the same pace as many other students (you may be able to push ahead faster with a tutor).

Learning On Your Own:

Pros: Self-study is often the best way to learn French for most people, since it saves a ton of money and can easily fit into a busier schedule.  There are a wide variety of options available to you, such a French learning software, podcasts, books, flash cards, audio CDs, and also a number of websites featuring lessons.

Cons: Like with any form of self-study, learning French on your own requires tons of self-discipline, consistency, and patience.  You need to set your own schedule and try not to get frustrated…this option is clearly not for everyone.  You also lack the teacher-student interaction that can often solidify what you’ve learned.

Here are some good rules of thumb to keep in mind, regardless of which method of learning French you choose:

* K.I.S.S. — Keep it simple, stupid!  Don’t try to swim in the deep end with all the complicated grammar and vocabulary before you have a grasp on the basics. It’s far too easy to get bogged down and overwhelmed, and will only lead to frustration.  Learn common words and phrases at first to keep your motivation up.  If you ever feel overwhelmed or lost, retrace your steps and go back to easier lessons until you’ve really absorbed the necessary material.

* Try to speak French as much as possible.  It can be easy to people to overlook the oral aspect of learning French, especially they study on their own.  They get so caught up in listening, visualizing, and memorizing French words and phrases that they don’t realize the importance of actually pronouncing the words out loud, to get a feel for how it all sounds.

* Get comfortable not only hearing and reading, but also writing French.  Writing in French can help you get a better grasp of how the sentences and phrases are structured, which helps put the words in stronger context.

Above all, you need to really dedicate yourself to the whole process of learning, no matter what method you choose.  This dedication will be the key to thoroughly absorbing the French language.  Don’t lose sight of your overall goals when you stumble or falter, but instead think of stumbling blocks as opportunities for breakthroughs!.

Learning to speak French will be a challenge, but it will also be extremely rewarding!  Hopefully this article has helped you determine the best way to learn French!  In a couple months, you may be well on your way to speaking French with confidence.

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