I have often worked in countries where I did not speak the language but have never had much of a problem communicating. Since living in France, I have had several unsuccessful attempts at having formal lessons and even tried the Babble/Duolingo route.
My problem is that my logical brain can’t cope with the illogics (is that even a word?) of language. If I ask for example, “Why do you say Portet (rhymes with upset) but Muret (rhymes with today)?” the answer is usually “because we do”. My brain can’t seem to cope with endless irregularities and goes on strike.
Eventually I gave up lessons and just mixed with my neighbours and pretended I could speak their language by simply repeating what they said. This seems to have worked, and I can get by in most situations.
I know this is not a technique many people feel comfortable adopting when learning French. There seem to be a fear of making a fool of yourself. (one thing I excel at). I have just discovered a new tool where you can practise as much as you like, on your phone, (in complete privacy if you find that more comfortable)
The app is called Talkpal and is free (with a more versatile paid for option). For 10 minutes a day (free version) you can talk about anything to a very pleasant AI voice and have a very realistic conversation. As you speak, your words are converted to text so you can tell whether your pronunciation is understood, and the verbal response is also displayed as text in case you do not quite catch something being said back to you.
Which is 50% of how children learn, so it’s a great technique. The other 50%, not available to you - actually, it may be 20% and 80% - is the constant correction that French kids get.
Talking in normal everyday circumstance is to me the best method. Things like Duolingo are just for a bit of vocabulary and grammar in a very stilted way but are useless to help you deal with a dynamic situation.
I did my DELF many years ago, which I liked as was v trad foundation. But being able to communicate came from social occasions and only when I stopped worrying whether I was speaking correctly, and just talked.
After all French people speak very good French and are perfectly able to make sense of ungrammatical sentences.
Get a good comprehensive grammar book, a verb book, learn them, read, watch television and listen to radio - and talk to people.
If you understand the structure and recognise patterns it isn’t too hard to improvise when faced with something new.
We were very lucky to make friends with two french profs. Both Marie-Thèrese and Jean-Claude were wonderful for me as they would often, quietly so as not disturb conversation, just repeat what I said but correctly.
Language is organic. Flows much more easily when you don’t get caught up needing to know the whys, rules and repeated systems. Maybe why maths brains are different from language brains.
We had the same good fortune. When we arrived an elderly couple more or less adopted us because we knew so little. They corrected in a similar way but because they were brought up speaking patios we picked up some unusual expressions.
Give the app a try Sue. It costs nothing. The best bit is, it types out what it thinks you have said and of course being AI is totally uncritical and has infinite patience.
@Susannah
I think everyone approaches learning modern languages differently, what I said is what has worked for me. It depends what you want from a language as well, it’s one thing speaking but some people need something to attach sounds to. I love reading in all the languages in which I’m literate so that’s a big motivation (pleasure) but also keeps structures and vocab fresh.
It helps growing up speaking 2 or 3 obviously, but all the others I actually had to learn - and unfortunately growing up speaking a language doesn’t automatically mean you do it well nor is it a guarantee of proper literacy.
Speaking French is not my problem, I can whitter on quite happily, but as soon as somebody else speaks I have to concentrate and, a single word which I don’t understand can trip me up and I then lose the thread of what follows.
It wasn’t always like this, I worked quite happily in a French only environment for 3 years, but I am convinced it is mental decay. Because it starts by one misunderstood word and happens, though less often in English too, my belief in that theory is strengthend.
These are great little animated stories done beautifully. They have been making one a week for over a year. Thoroughly recommend. About 20 odd minutes each.
“ListenEF offers videos of simple and funny stories in French for beginners and intermediate learners. You can join the channel members to access exclusive content without ads and learn French with stories in different levels and tenses.”
I decided, when I moved here, that I would definitely be making a fool of myself, so I just accepted it and keep speaking French. Half the time I review the conversation in my head afterwards, and realize that I used a completely wrong verb tense or some such. My goal for this year is simply to be understood - next year I’ll have a better goal (I hope).