Get to know the very basics
Learning a foreign language can be exciting, stimulating, and enriching. However, during the process, you may run into some obstacles that you may not have considered before, like loss of motivation, self-doubting, and even frustration. Be prepared about these and go easy on yourself. We have all been there! Learning anything will always take some time. But try to keep in mind that although the road to becoming a bilingual person is long and sometimes a bit rocky, the final destination will certainly be worth the effort.
Acquiring a new language requires constantly stepping out of your comfort zone. It will be a completely new challenge for your brain to understand a different language structure, to process sounds that it has not previously registered, and even learn to position your tongue differently. Although our brain is the most specialized multitasking machine, give it a break! All these could be complicated to manage at the beginning.
Therefore, if you were wondering how long does it take to learn any language, well the most accurate answer will be: "it depends!" In this article, we will provide you with useful information that can help you to learn French, or any language more easily. Let's dive into some interesting tips to master French as soon as you want! Êtes-vous prêt à conquérir le monde ? Learn French in Canada right now!
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But before, let's go through some fun facts about French to break the ice a little!
- Did you know that the French vocabulary is equivalent to 1/3 of the English one? That's right! Do you want some examples?
Aunt: Tante
Carrot: Carotte
Marriage: Mariage
Mustard: Moutarde
Toast : Tarte
Pay: Payer
- French is one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn, due to the similarities between French and English words. Tu n'as plus d'excuses pour ne pas le faire!
- In French, there is no such word that means “cheap”. For its description, "pas cher" is generally used, which means not expensive. French is such a distinguished language, isn't it?
- The French language is also found on all five continents. A perfect match for you my English-speaking friend!
What makes a language easy to learn?
Before you start studying a language you have to know that sometimes it will be easier to master it depending on several factors, such as:
You start acquiring languages when you were younger. The sooner you learn a second language, the better you will do. Now, if you are already an adult it is also possible to succeed on the road to bilingualism!
You are immersed in that language and have constant exposure to it. It will be easier to learn French in francophone countries than in Spanish-speaking countries, for example. Practice and indeed will make perfect! We assure you!
You live in a polyglot community. Since everyone has the dynamics of speaking in two or more languages, you will also get used to it.
Your mother tongue is similar to the language concerned. For example, if your mother tongue is English, it may be a little easier for you to learn French since the vocabulary is similar. If you speak Spanish, Portuguese or Italian, it will be also easier to learn it, since all are Latin languages (also called Romance languages) share many grammatical similarities. Whatever the case is, learning a language takes a lot of patience and practice, but it is always possible! Better be prepared!
You have a strong motivation to learn it. Whether you want to boost your confidence, be more attractive, travel, meet new people, live, work or study abroad, give a boost to your career, or win the heart of that special person, motivation will be a determining factor in learning a language. C'est parti!
How to study French from scratch?
Perhaps this will sound a bit obvious, however, you need to have a good knowledge base to improve in a language you have learned from scratch. Don't rush! Let's go from the general to the particular and consider the five following recommendations:
- Get to know the very basics! First, familiarize yourself with the basic vocabulary. Knowing the simplest ways to introduce yourself, say hello, goodbye, thank you, no and yes could be a great survival guide.
- Start with the basic vocabulary! Another good next strategy could be learning the colors, the days of the week, and the months of the year. Start by familiarizing yourself with the components of your daily life, your work, your home, where you live, etc.
- Keep going with the numbers. During your first approach to French, it is recommended to study the numbers. At this point, you will realize that the numbers are slightly different from anything you have ever seen before. Ready for some mental calculations?
- Sentence structure. You must know how sentences are composed. In the French language, the sequence of subject, verb, and complement is always followed. During this time getting to know the personal pronouns like Je, Tu, Il, Elle, On, Nous, Vous, Ils, and Elles, are going to be very helpful.
- Learn the most important French verbs! When you feel confident about the above, you can level up to the study of the verbs etrê and avoir in the present simple. These are the most important verbs in French, as they can function as main verbs, have their own meaning, or function as auxiliary verbs to conjugate compound tenses. Believe us, you will notice it on more advanced levels!
- Form your first sentence! Then you can keep up with the study of nouns and articles, identify which are feminine and masculine, and get to know the plurals. Like this, you will be able to write your first sentence! Writing short phrases is going to help you to apply everything you learned in the previous lessons, including the articles, nouns, the verb être and avoir, the colors, and even all numbers!
To sum up, familiarize yourself with the very basics, have self-discipline, work hard and remember to be patient. Be aware that no one is born an expert and that is normal to get a little lost sometimes! Start your path to bilingualism RIGHT NOW!
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Before going through our lovely article, would you like to try something cool? Well, pronounce the following French tongue twisters! Come on, give it a shot!
- Je suis ce que je suis, et si je suis ce que je suis, qu’est-ce que je suis ?
Literal translation: I am what I am, and if I am what I am, what am I ?.
- Ces cerises sont si sûres qu’on ne sait pas si c’en sont.
Literal translation: These cherries are so sour, we’re not sure if they are cherries.
- As-tu vu le vert ver allant vers le verre en verre vert?
Literal translation: Have you seen the green worm going towards the green glass?
Do you feel your brain on fire? You are not the only one my friend! Believe it or not, with effort and motivation, you will soon be able to challenge your friends to pronounce them all! (We are sure that not even all native French speakers can!)
Five tips to learn French fast!
Are you looking for a way to improve in French quickly, or become bilingual in French and English? This is not magic! However, some simple everyday strategies that can make you improve in French are:
- Try to expose yourself to the language daily. Going over French for at least half an hour a day will make your language acquisition easier. Creating habits is important to achieve everything! Developing habits will give you the confidence to stay motivated even on the busiest days or when you are lacking energy. The creation of habits and discipline are key to achieving your bilingual goals.
- Download mobile applications: learning apps are extremely useful since they allow you to train and practice whenever and wherever you want. Brushing up for five minutes while taking your morning latte is not such a bad idea, right? Nowadays, there are thousands of apps, but perhaps the most popular among language learners are Duolingo and Babbel. Do not hesitate! These are going to be a great complement.
- Do not forget radio, podcasts, and television programs! You need to expose yourself to the language as much as possible. Through radio, TV, streaming platforms, or movies, choose the method that you like the most! You can enjoy learning in many ways!
- Good reading in French never hurts! Reading is one of the most widely used study methods to practice a language. Here you are free to choose the type of reading that you enjoy the most. However, we recommend you pick those readings that are best adapted to your level. You will avoid feeling demotivated and be able to go beyond the first pages. Believe it or not, choosing books for younger children could also work well for you! Also, consider looking for French textbooks to improve your language skills, grammar, vocabulary, and exercises lessons. Some good options of textbooks are: Best Overall - Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French All-in-One; Best for Vocabulary: Barron’s Mastering French Vocabulary: A Thematic Approach; Best for Self-Study: Berlitz Self-Teacher for French and Best for Grammar: Easy French Step-by-Step.
- Studying French with music! This one can be very interesting for some of us. What better way to improve your pronunciation than with music? But, pay attention here! The goal of studying French with music won't be possible if you don't know the lyrics. So, look for them and repeat the song as many times as you want. This is the best reinforcement! One of the best songs to practice is Alors on danse of Stromae!
What are the French levels?
Everything mentioned above will help you to learn French more easily if you have a basic level. However, it is always good to know what each of the levels of French required. According to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), an international standard of language ability, French language proficiency is organized into six main levels, that are:
- A1 - Basic users. These French users understand and can use daily expressions and simple phrases frequently. He/she can introduce themselves and give basic information about where they live and the people around them. They can relate in a limited way as long as the other person speaking communicates slowly and clearly. They need the cooperation of others to be able to communicate.
- A2 - Advanced basic users. He/she understand common daily phrases and expressions related to themselves and their family, shopping, places of interest, etc. They can communicate to carry out simple activities that require a basic information exchange. They can easily describe aspects of their environment and immediate needs.
- B1 - Independent users. He/she understand the main ideas of simple texts, especially if their working or study conditions are related to it. Can produce simple texts and describe experiences and events.
- B2 - Advanced Independent users. They understand the main ideas of complex texts as long as they are familiar to them. They can establish conversations with native speakers fluently. And they can reproduce clear texts and defend their point of view.
- C1 - Proficient users. They understand a wide variety of texts with a certain level of complexity. Can express themselves fluently and spontaneously. They can make effective use of the language for socializing, and for academics and professional matters. They can produce structured, organized, and coherent texts.
- C2 - Competent users. They understand French easily and can express themselves spontaneously. They have a great fluency and a good degree of communication even in complex situations.
If you are thinking about pursuing a master's degree in French, most of the eligibility requirements ask for a B2 or even a C1. You can visit the official websites of the universities to ensure the level of French and the required certifications you need to have to prepare yourself better.
On the other hand, if you are thinking of traveling or living in a French-speaking country, we recommend that you improve your French to the maximum. Changing the country and having basic communication may be difficult at the beginning. Remember that going through procedures and administrative tasks, opening a bank account, finding a place to rent, and looking for a job, require a good understanding of the French.
No matter the reasons why you want to become bilingual, having the support of a French teacher is the best idea!
Learn French with the perfect tutor online!
Most of the time, to achieve your study goals, you require the support of an expert French tutor. Acquiring a new language will take you out of your comfort zone, and feeling stuck and frustrated during the process is completely normal. A private tutor is going to provide you with the best tools to improve your French and stay motivated. Teamwork will always be essential for motivation! Having a French tutor is going to make everything easier! Identifying the mistakes you are making, and correcting them at the moment is priceless! Also, having French online classes can help you to advance at your own pace and go back to those topics that you may find more complex. With private tutoring, it will not be a problem going back to the conjugation of the verbs or the correct pronunciation of the alphabet. A tutor is essential for you to learn French.
Thanks to a good internet connection, a laptop, and your headphones, you are just one click away from finding the ideal online French tutor from anywhere in Canada! Get ready to make your brain bilingual in French and upgrade your skills with the best online private tutors at Superprof! And don't worry if you feel like losing your patience with the French tongue twisters. You will find that even your private tutor struggles a bit with them!
If you prefer you can go for face-to-face lessons. With Superprof, you can also find the best French tutors near you. From the comfort of your home or at your favorite coffee shop or the closest library, learning French has never been easier! However, if you are more motivated about the online tutoring, let's discover some great advantages of it!
Advantages of online French tutoring
It doesn't matter if you are learning in Montreal or anywhere in Canada, because:
- With online tutoring, you can enjoy going at your own pace, and it will be easier for you to get a personalized approach. Having on-site lessons has many advantages like establishing social connections. However, it may be difficult for all students to understand the lesson if they do not have the same level. Having online French classes will help you address your mistakes and progress in your way.
- Have flexible lessons: With an online French tutor, you can agree on the days and duration of the study lessons that best suit both of you. You can decide if it is convenient to meet daily or two times a week, or during the weekends, for example. And if you are comfortable with the online lessons, or if you prefer a hybrid teaching modality (a mix of face-to-face and non-face-to-face lessons) you can find what you are looking for.
- You will have fewer distractions: online tutoring is carried out in a quiet environment with one or a few students, this allows your study sessions to be more interactive and productive.
- Access to amazing tutors: Your postal code does not matter anymore. With online tutoring, you can access great French tutors anywhere in Canada, from Toronto to Vancouver. and most importantly, forget spending hours on public transportation!
- Affordable French classes: Private French lessons are generally a bit high in price. However, in the Superprof platform, you will find the best budget-friendly French tutors.
- Find the best tutor for you: Acquiring a language most effectively depends on the interaction between you and your tutor. Because of this, most of Superprof's French tutors offer a free trial lesson to find the one for you.
So, if you are looking for a great way to learn French online, give it a try with Superprof! French isn't that difficult!
Bet on the best online French lessons!
If you are convinced about this lovely article, you can look right now for the Superprof online platform. Here you can discover online tutors specialized in French, sciences, and all the disciplines you can imagine! For educational reasons, personal matters, or just out of curiosity, upgrading your knowledge in everything you want is now possible! Find the right tutor for you to improve any language or anything you want with Superprof, anywhere in Canada. You must be ready for all the knowledge that you are going to unlock! eh?
Would you like to try out online French lessons? Wait any longer! Go to www.superprof.ca. On the official site of Superprof, you can type in that what you want to study is "French" and choose the level that suits you best. Here, you can select French lessons for beginners, intermediates, and proficient speakers, for children, or even lessons for adults. Do not forget to type in your location to find French tutors near your home or city, for example, "Ottawa".
On the official site, more than 1600 French tutors are available for you! Click on the ones you like the most, access their profiles, and read all the reviews that other students have left about them. Like this, you are going to be sure of finding your perfect match by giving yourself a better idea about their teaching methods. Check out the price of a one-hour lesson and book a class! You won't regret it!
To make the most of your online tutoring, you need a fast Internet connection, a laptop, a good webcam, set up a silent study space, and tons of motivation and patience. Stop hesitating, prepare for the DELF certification, get the best TCF scores and get ready to achieve your goals! With Superprof, it is always the right time to become bilingual in French, in Italian, in German, etc. And who knows? Maybe you are going to become that ideal French tutor later. À très bientot mon ami!
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