Get to know the benefits of learning French!
According to the Department of Psychology at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, speaking multiple languages can provide you with a bunch of cognitive benefits. Bilingual people tend to activate both languages in their minds, even when they are just processing one of them. This means that if you speak English and French, for example, when you have a conversation in English, your brain will always have the "French folder" available and ready to be opened. This ability to switch between languages is known as cognitive flexibility.
Since both languages will be available, the bilingual brain needs to have control over the information that can wrongly "cross" from both linguistic systems. For this, the brain will select the most relevant language and will "turn off" the one that is not required at the moment. Some research suggests that turning one language "on" and turning "off" the other one involves complex attention processing. The bilingual brain also has selective attention to external stimuli. This means that for the bilingual brain it's easier to discriminate between what is essential to process and what would be a total waste of energy. Quite impressive, right?
Both cognitive flexibility and selective attention are mental functions that provide great brain agility. Now imagine how the brain of a polyglot person works! In addition, some research has shown that the bilingual brain has greater advantages when dealing with and solving conflicts. While facing a conflict, the bilingual brain classifies better possible solutions, paying attention only to the most relevant ones. Perhaps, this may arise from the bilingual brain's experience in resolving conflicts between languages.
With these findings, we can infer that the bilingual brain process information better, has a wider attention span, and manages conflict better than the monolingual brain. However, more future research is needed to understand how these cognitive mechanisms happen.
Find more ways of how learning French can help you!
Why is French the best language to learn?
French is spoken by more than 200 million people worldwide throughout the five continents. French is a beautiful and rhythmic language full of colors, nuances, and also extravagances. It is subtle and melodic and is considered the most romantic language in the world.
Learning French could be a very fulfilling experience, and it will also allow you to have a better job, academic and social opportunities. Plus, you'll develop better critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as all the cognitive advantages we've already mentioned before! So definitely if you want to say something, it's always better to say it in French!
French could be the gateway to learning other languages, especially if they are part of the Romance languages. Since Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian share almost the same basic vocabulary and several grammatical structures, it will be easier to learn them after learning French. Hasta la vista, baby!
There is a strong linguistic relationship between English and French, even though the first one is a Romance language, and the second a Germanic one. 40% of the words in the English vocabulary have their roots in French, and we can find these words anywhere: in our home, in the restaurant, in school, in the bank, in fashion, and in every aspect of our daily life. When it's your time to learn grammar and vocabulary, you will realize what we are talking about!
But, now let's play a game! We leave here the meaning of some French words that we normally use at all times! Read them and try to figure out the hidden word:
- Drink or a small amount of food taken before the main meal to stimulate appetite (8 letters).
- Referring to a single man (8 letters).
- The most typical French bread (8 letters).
- A type of performance dance that demands grace and precision (6 letters).
- A woman with brown hair (8 letters).
- Something very elegant and fashionable (4 letters).
- The feeling of experiencing something we have already dreamed about (2 words, 6 letters in total).
- A social group that is privileged, valued and associated with superiority (5 letters).
- The study of food and culture (10 letters).
- A false idea or perception about something (8 letters).
- A popular dish made of eggs and butter (8 letters).
- Anticipating that the best is yet to come (8 letters).
- An appointment (2 words, 10 letters).
- Messing something up on purpose (8 letters).
- Something you buy to remember a holiday (8 letters).
- Dressing made of oil, vinegar, and salt (11 letters).
Hey you! How was it? We are sure this activity got you thinking a little! Let us put your mind at ease and keep reading!
Start to learn French online here on Superprof.
Differences between English and French
If you are a beginner in French, we will try to summarize some differences between both that can be a bit tricky at first sight as a native English speaker.
- Pronunciation of vowels: There are some differences in the sound systems between French and English that make it challenging to pronounce French correctly. This happens especially when a native English speaker tries to pronounce the vowels in French since the tongue is not used to reproduce the vowel sounds. For example, A is pronounced more or less like the a in "father." AU is pronounced like "oh." EAU is pronounced like "oh." I is pronounced "ee" and OI is pronounced "wah."
- Use of silent letters: Another difference is the use of the "h" sound in French, especially at the beginning of the word. In French the "h" is always silent, so do not focus too much on it. The letter "h" is just an example of the lettres muettes or silent letters.
- Use of accents: The use of accents in French could be a little complex since they do not exist in the English language, and they are generally used to make a difference in pronunciation. Luckily if you are a French language learner, there are just five accents you must know.
- Tense conjugation: As foreigners, one of the most complex things to master in French is the correct tense conjugation. Although in both English and French we find auxiliary verbs, participles, active and passive voice, and past, present, and future tenses, French has other temporal meanings than English.
- Putting questions down. Another challenge English speakers can have when asking questions in French is that there is no "do" like in English, so this can make a statement sound like a question.
- The genders of the nouns: English nouns are neutral concerning gender. On the other hand, all French nouns are rather masculine or feminine and there is no specific reason explaining why this happens! Sometimes gender can be determined due to word endings. But perhaps, you will have to start memorizing them!
It is worth mentioning that there are many more differences between both, however, you can also take advantage of their similarities to improve in French. By mastering them, it will be easier for you to know the differences!
Ready to self-learn French?
Technology is the best ally for education today. The Internet allows us to access millions of online tools to practice French whenever we want. If you want to learn French in a self-taught way, here are some tips that will help you to succeed:
- Choose a language you love. Maybe if you got to this point it is because you are thrilled about French. The more you enjoy the language, the easier it is going to be for you to learn it. You face challenges when acquiring something new, however, if you are interested in the subject, it will be easier to endure all the difficulties.
- Get to know the grammatical and orthographical rules. French grammar can become one of the most complex aspects of it. However, if you know how to structure the phrase, make a statement, a question, and make a demand everything should go smoothly. Don't forget to get familiarized with spelling and punctuation. These are a must!
- Practice reading and writing. Doing short readings in French before going to sleep, or when you take public transport, will help you better understand the sentence structure, and even the punctuation. We also recommend you to have a notebook to practice, either write the phrases that you like the most, practice the conjugations of the verbs, or write down all the vocabulary that you find interesting.
- Take advantage of online tools. Thanks to the Internet, today we have books, games, movies, virtual libraries, music, podcasts, learning applications, videos, magazines, online newspapers, a click away from us! Using your favorite virtual resources to leverage your study will make a difference!
- Have good organization skills. Having a good organization of your study is essential to avoid feeling overwhelmed. There are times when life gets a bit chaotic, but if you have a good organization and know-how to prioritize what is relevant, it's going to be easier to study independently. To be a good self-taught person, we must be disciplined and learn how to organize our study and free time. Without effort, perseverance, and discipline, there is no reward!
- Avoid procrastination. It is normal to lose motivation and procrastinate when studying a language. Either because the difficulty is more than expected, or because we have lost our confidence in learning. The only way to avoid it is to develop a study strategy. This will allow you to continue learning even on those tough days.
- Find the perfect spot to study. It is highly advisable to have a conditioned space for your study sessions. Having a good internet connection, a laptop, and a webcam will enrich and strengthen your apprenticeship. Also, it is recommended for you to choose a room where you feel that you can be as focused as possible, away from the noise and distractions. Remember that during your study sessions, you just need to set your brain in motion.
How to know if you are a self-learner?
Maybe for you learning French is not that difficult! To know if you are born self-taught, you need to have the vast majority of the following characteristics:
- You are capable of solving your study problems after reviewing the subject over and over again. For example, if you couldn't understand something in class, you found the best solution by studying it at home.
- You have always known that to master a subject, school is not enough. You usually complement your study with more resources that allow you to understand it better.
- You are characterized by being disciplined and organized in your topics of interest. You know how to get the best out of your study time.
- You have good strategic planning. It's easy for you to establish your objectives and goals, but above all to fulfill each one of them.
- After finishing a lesson, you read and make extra research about the topic. For example, if you finished a math class, you usually solve problems at home.
- You question your level of intelligence. A self-taught person has a growth mindset and knows that practice makes perfect.
- You know what tools to use to evaluate your knowledge. A self-taught take exams and tests to have constant practice and knows how to identify his difficulties
- You have no difficulty identifying where to focus your energy. A self-taught person does not waste time on issues that will not help him improve, or that could be overwhelming at the moment.
If you identify with the majority, you are most likely a self-taught person. If this is not your case, do not worry, you can always seek support and become an expert on the subject.
Is it possible to learn French online?
You can always find great ways to learn French face-to-face, like with the Alliances Françaises of Canada. However, with this dynamic technological environment, you can now rely on a great variety of virtual educational tools to start your journey to bilingualism in an autonomous way. However, it is important to recognize that sometimes certain topics could be more difficult to learn by ourselves, such as French and sciences like maths, chemistry, and physics. If self-learning is not for you, a private tutor can help you reinforce your knowledge in any subject.
Wouldn't it be a great idea to have a private French tutor to guide you through the process of learning French online? Perhaps in this way, it will be easier to study French pronunciation! In general, developing effective study skills is easier with the presence of a private tutor. A French private tutor can adapt to your level of French and provide you with the best educational tools according to what you are looking for. If you want a personalized approach, do not worry! You can become bilingual in French easily through private online tutoring!
Studying French online in Toronto, or anywhere, with a private tutor will permit you to go at your own pace, and have greater flexibility to study from the comfort of your room or at your favorite spot. Going hand in hand with a private French tutor will promote more meaningful learning. Upgrading your French skills with a private tutor is going to help you to achieve your study goals. On the official site of Superprof Canada, you will find the best French tutors who will guide you and solve each of your doubts. If you are looking for an educational experience and personalized support, find your ideal French tutor at Superprof!
Discover french lessons in Nanaimo here
Advantages of online French tutoring
French tutors are a crucial part of students to be successful in French. Acquiring a language is done progressively. If you are a beginner and want to perform exercises for an advanced French level, your mind will go nuts! But don't worry, everything takes time. No matter what level of French you have, your study requires an effective strategy adapted to your needs. A French tutor will define the learning objectives easily, taking your deadlines into consideration, your study priorities, and your schedule. In addition, your online French tutor will give you assessments on the topics covered in class to better reinforce your learning. The only way to improve French is by practicing and going back again to those mistakes to find a solution. Don't let them bug you! You won't be alone this time!
Lets' sum up again all the advantages of having an online French tutor:
- Make sure that the student knows everything that involves the study of a new language.
- Providing the tools and the best strategy to promote language acquisition.
- Let the students know their progress and make the necessary corrections.
- Carry out evaluations and assessments to determine the points to be reinforced.
- Helping the student stay motivated.
So if you're not sure whether self-teaching is the right approach for you, you can browse "French classes near me" and you'll be able to find hundreds of tutor profiles in your area.
The role of the tutor in motivation
Although staying motivated while learning French mainly depends on personal reasons, the tutor also contributes to awakening the interest and promoting the desire to learn French.
The online tutor can achieve a high level of motivation in the students if he has good knowledge of French, knows how to set good examples, if the teaching methods are creative and enthusiastic, if he encourages participation and if he has active communication. Looking back to your years of study, maybe you became passionate about a subject simply because your professor transmitted that passion to you. Probably most of us have been there. Many times we even define our professional career due to a good tutor and an enriching learning experience.
Acquiring French effectively depends on the performance, prior knowledge, and skills of the student. However, the quality of teaching is key to learning French. Are you ready to find your ideal tutor in Canada with Superprof?
Find your private tutor in Canada!
If you are looking for the best tutors online in Montreal or anywhere in Canada go to the official site of Superprof! Superprof is one of the most recognized learning platforms to find the best tutors near you and specialized in all the subjects you can imagine. Available in 36 countries, from India to Argentina, in Superprof you can find more than 10 million private tutors, who share their knowledge about more than 1,000 academic and extracurricular disciplines. If, in addition to mastering French, you are interested in brushing up on mathematics, learning breathing techniques to relax, or cooking Italian, all these and more can be found on Superprof!
Now that you know that you have countless tutors a click away from you, are you ready to start your path through bilingualism? Well, it's very simple! Go to our official site: www.superprof.ca and type in that you are interested in learning French in Canada. On the Superprof platform, you can find thousands of profiles of French tutors. Pick up the one closest to you if you are interested in face-to-face lessons, or choose the one that catches your eye the most even though is located on the other side of the country.
On the Superprof platform, you can select your level, whether you need basic French lessons, or even preparing for a French certification, or even mastering it to become a tutor. And, don't worry if you are a bit lost with French and you don't know how to introduce yourself when the lesson starts. In the profile of each French tutor, you can verify the levels of the language they teach and their professional and academic backgrounds. If you are preparing for the DALF test or looking for a great educational experience, or you can accomplish it with Superprof!
We hope that all this information will help you to improve your French as soon as possible. We are expecting you to become a polyglot right away! If you have any questions about the online lessons, feel free to contact the tutor that you like the most. Don't waste any more time and book a class! And, since you finished reading our lovely article, here are all the answers to the game you tried to solve at the beginning! Yes! we are super nice at Superprof!
Game answers: Aperitif, bachelor, baguette, ballet, brunette, chic, déjà vu, elite, gastronomy,illusion, omelette, optimism, rendez-vous, sabotage, souvenir, vinaigrette.
C'est tout pour le moment mon cher ami. À très bientôt et bonne courage!
Here is where you can find french classes near me in Saskatoon
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