Absolute beginner seeks advice, suggestions and support.

[Paul Spittle]

Hello fellow forum members and francophiles,

I am a native English speaker with a little knowledge of Polish and Russian. I learned the basics of Polish, and the very basics of Russian, for employment reasons but never considered taking either language more seriously.

For many years I have dreamt of learning a second language but never found the time or opportunity to start. Now I am at a place and time that allows me the chance to attempt to realise this dream.

 

Any advice, suggestions or warnings would be of great help, As I am brand new to the French language and to internet based home study, the chance to follow the suggestions of more experienced students for the most effective study systems, or to avoid making the same mistakes, would be incredibly helpful.

At the moment I am limited to free (or very inexpensive) options. Resources available on the internet are also more useful for me, at present, than actual books.

 

I look forward to reading replies and meeting new people.

 

With thanks,

Paul.

[Chantal Savignat]

Hello

Bonjour de France et bon courage (keep it up).

[Joscelyne Skinner]

Bonjour!

I am also very new to the French language. I started trying to learn in late August but I'm having trouble picking it up. English is my first and only language. I commented here because I also would love suggestions for people who speak better French than me. I would have started my own little discussion but I'm not very tech literate and this was here so.... Hi!

Consider this a read reply and a new person met. I look forward to those same things.

May many fortunes befall you,

Joscelyne 

[Paul Spittle]

So you decided to 'piggy-back' my thread?

That's perfectly OK and I am happy to make your acquaintance, Joscelyne.

 

Polish and Russian are both far more complex and very slow to start learning. Surprisingly, considering the different script, Russian was easier than Polish - which has grammar rules that can provoke extreme confusion!

 

I started to attempt Spanish and French in the same week.

I know as much Polish/Russian as I need (or want)and would like to speak a closer, more relevant and easier language. Spanish comes so much easier and faster - in just a week I can already understand basic conversations.

French doesn't come as easily as Spanish but I can practise with Francophile African co-workers of mine and travel to France with relative ease. 

 

For now I will self teach using internet resources THEN I imagine that enrolling on a class will be the only real way...?

[Joscelyne Skinner]

The closest I have been to speaking any other language than English is singing chorale music. It may sound harder to do but for instance, a Russian piece I did a while back was big and scary-looking but it's really just memorizing sounds after looking at other things (I shan't bore you with such things now).

Where I live there is a plethora of Spanish speakers and I may forever be lost if I can't understand the simple things in Spanish.What drew me to French instead was that I, by blood, am more than 1/4 French.  I should have put into consideration that Spanish does seem a bit easier. I should have started there. However I am already in the French boat, so I shall sail on.

I am enrolled in a French 1 class, which is basically French Kindergarden. However, our teacher is on maternity leave so nothing else new shall befall us. Using the good o' internet shall be the only way I will really learn any French until mid November.

It is glorious to  make your acquaintance too, Paul

[George Hunt]

Hi

you might find this thread of use (I don't know too much about it myself) .

 

http://www.forum.french-linguistics.co.uk/forum/topics/converstion-...

[Paul Spittle]

Merci, George.

This could prove useful but I am not yet at the level of wanting to speak to others.

I need to learn a few more verbs and basic phrases first.