In addition to learning French lessons, here are some ways to learn french fast at home.
Effective French lessons provide the best means of learning French. But, I am a French native offering French lessons in Naperville, and I have learned that no matter how good French lessons are, there is always something more the language student can be doing outside of the classrooms for added improvement. Here are some little things you can do to learn French at home.
1. Travel to a French-speaking country: The optimal way to learn French outside of the classroom is traveling to a country that speaks French. Whether for a yearlong study abroad program, a three-month stay, or a weeklong trip, every moment helps. Being in a place where French surrounds you, you will naturally pick up French and be forced to speak it. The most benefit will come if you are able to go into the
country with a fair amount of French already learned.
2. Speak the language: French can be spoken outside of the classroom, and will help a lot. Trying to describe objects in your house, speaking to your pet, or conversing to yourself will help you feel more comfortable speaking and get you used to French. Plus, your mind will remember verb conjugations and vocabulary and you will better your accent.
3. Read French books: Trying to read books in a foreign language is helpful to get familiar with new words as well as orthography. Books should present a challenge but not be too difficult, or you will overlook the sentences instead of decoding them. Beginners should try to read children’s books; as you advance, try reading harder books and keep a French dictionary handy to understand challenging words.
4. Watch French videos: Watching French movies, short videos, or the news are all helpful tools to get extra practice with French. Watching this material will get you used to hearing French and work on your understanding of the language. It is best to try watching foreign language movies and videos without subtitles, as your mind will naturally turn to the subtitles rather than challenge itself to understand the audio in a different language.
5. Listen to French music: Taking time to listen to French songs will adapt your ears and mind to hearing French voices and the accent. It will be easier going forward for you to understand French; Also, you will get the chance to learn new vocabulary through the music and remember it thanks to the catchy tunes.
6. Subscribe to French publications: Subscribing to French newspapers, magazines, or other publications delivers very similar results to those of reading French books. You will learn new vocabulary, read more easily, and feel more comfortable with the language. The difference with publications is that they are shorter than books, and this is often beneficial. Individuals are able to focus on understanding short bits of information, and can work without lengthy struggles that discourage the reader. There is also very diverse content to choose from, so everyone will find something they like.
7. Discover online communities: Online communities and forums can be between other French students, French natives, or both. These internet outlets give you the benefit of hearing and reading French conversations, and even partake in them yourself. Communicating becomes much easier with these types of methods.
8. Find a pen pal: Pen pals are a unique way to practice French. This improves writing and reading skills; plus, it pushes you to write with vocabulary and phrases beyond textbook French and find a natural rhythm of writing that discusses your interests. These natural conversations will improve your French skills and get you a new friend.
9. Try out French word games: Word games and crossword puzzles in French teach some more lessons in French.
10. Study French culture: Not only does it make you sound better traveled and smarter about history, French culture improves your French. Studying French culture, even if in your native language, adds meaning to the language and thus adds value to learning the language. Some of this history will even begin to teach you roots and meanings of the words you are learning, and better understand them contextually.
This list should hopefully give you inspiration to incorporate a little more French into your daily life, and get you learning French more easily and faster than ever. Just remember, nothing beats actual French lessons. And, getting private French lessons tailored to your specific needs will help you find a plan to add in little elements of French listed above, along with others. Get French lessons in Chicago or get more consultation about learning French by contacting NaperFrench.
