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