| When we want something, we want it now. Learning | | | | Make a list of your favorite games and find a French |
| French should be no exception to the rule. Americans | | | | version. Read the instructions and go through the |
| love maximum results with minimal effort. We live by | | | | motions of the game until it becomes second nature. |
| the motto, "time is money", and with good reason. | | | | Try French bingo, French crosswords, Jeopardy, |
| We cram so many activities into our schedules, our | | | | Family Feud, Mille Bornes, and computer games. Soon |
| time is important. Est-ce que tu parles francais? (Do | | | | you'll pick up key phrases and absorb new |
| you speak French?) You will soon. The following | | | | vocabulary. When you're ready for a real challenge, |
| suggestions are a few ways to work learning French | | | | try out your French Cranium or Scrabble skills. |
| into your busy day. | | | | 7. Read a Good Book. |
| 1. Tour de France | | | | Head to your local library or bookstore and find a |
| Take a trip to dreamlike Paris. This may be a real | | | | few topics of interest. Some internationally |
| arm-twisting suggestion, but the fastest way to learn | | | | best-selling novels in French are: "Poursuite a Quebec", |
| French is to immerse yourself in the language. | | | | by Ian Fraser; "La Dispartition" by Geores Perec; |
| Eavesdrop on strangers' conversations in picturesque | | | | "Introduction to French Poetry: A Dual-Language |
| cafés, all in the name of education. Wander | | | | Book" by Stanely Appelbaum. Plop down in a comfy |
| the streets of Paris, strike up conversation with locals | | | | chair in a quaint café and take a mini-trip to |
| and in no time you'll perfect the throaty vocals of | | | | France. |
| French. As Neil Simon said, "Give your mind a chance | | | | 8. Watch TV. |
| to travel through foreign languages." | | | | Contrary to what your parents told you, television |
| 2. Make it Movie Night | | | | will not rot your brain. With satellite and cable stations |
| Head to your local movie store or order on your | | | | providing endless channels it's easy to tap into foreign |
| next Netflix a movie in French. Some Blockbuster | | | | language programs. Check out news, quiz shows, |
| suggestions: "Amelie", "Chocolate" with Johnny Depp, | | | | sit-coms, dramas, documentaries from France, |
| and "The Dreamlife of Angels" are a few | | | | Belgium, Switzerland and Canada on Popular US |
| internationally successful French movies. Sit back and | | | | shows like CSI, 24, Band of Brothers, Scrubs and |
| enjoy a flick in the comfort of your home while | | | | more are all available in French. So, if you don't find |
| learning to train your ear and repeating what you | | | | what you like on cable, you can always check out |
| hear. Soon enough you'll connaître les | | | | other shows on DVD. (Many DVDs have French |
| ficelles?(know the ropes). Control the urge to put on | | | | language audio tracks!) |
| the subtitles or a flick with dubbing because it'll kill the | | | | 9. How do you say _____ in French? | Comment |
| experience. | | | | dit-on ____ en francais? |
| 3. Explore Your Surroundings | Make Friends | | | | Learning phrases is an excellent way to accelerate |
| If you live in a metropolitan city, you can easily find | | | | learning and impress your friends or loved one. French |
| French-speaking communities. Take a chance and | | | | has been labeled the language of love. Try Je t'aime |
| practice your French by meeting new people while | | | | (I love you too), Je t'adore (I adore you) for |
| experiencing a beautiful culture. Check out local wine | | | | starters. The Pimsleur Approach has a great audio |
| tasting events and French restaurants. Search the | | | | program equipped with various French language |
| Internet, local bulletin boards, and your local university | | | | learning levels. Listen to the CDs in the car during |
| to find language exchange programs. If possible, join | | | | your daily commute or on your ten minute break at |
| a conversation group. The more exposure you | | | | work. The great part about audio only programs is |
| receive, the faster you'll learn and in the process | | | | that you can multitask. |
| make friends. Faire d'une Pierre deux coups (To kill | | | | 10. Get Classy |
| two birds with one stone.) | | | | Are you finally ready to take classes? Joining a class |
| 4. Sing in French | | | | will give you structure for developing a routine. In |
| Hunt down some French CDs at your local store or | | | | class you are forced to speak only in French and are |
| online. Look on the inside liner and check out the | | | | immersed in the language for several hours a week. |
| lyrics. Read along with the music and in no time you'll | | | | Your professor can correct your pronunciation and |
| be belting out French with a perfect accent. | | | | grammar errors. To get the most out of your class, |
| Everyone will think you've gone bananas or dvenir | | | | try pairing the previous techniques with class work. |
| dingue (in French). | | | | Those various language learning tools will eventually |
| 5. Francophone Your Life | | | | stick and you'll be speaking like a native in no time. |
| Grab a memo pad and label everything in your house. | | | | Ready to learn French? Now that you have several |
| Deck the halls, kitchen, and bedroom, even your | | | | options to work into your routine, the best time to |
| bulldog in French labels. Your brain will begin | | | | start learning is now. Even ten minutes a day will |
| associating the images and words and it'll eventually | | | | quickly accelerate how fast you learn French. The |
| become natural. | | | | key is to be consistent. Bonne chance! (Good luck! |
| 6. Go Play. | | | | |