The first question I used to ask my students was "Why are you studying French?" They didn't always have the "best" reason but those that had a good reason, started with a great attitude and did well. In case they didn't have a good reason, I had a handout with "More than 75 good reasons to study French." So, of course, I have to ask you, Mischa: "Why are you studying French?"
The next thing we did was to anaylze what kind of learner each student was. If you learn best by something visual, you need to SEE what you want to learn. If you learn, aurally, you need to HEAR what you want to learn. If you learn kinesthetically, you need to PHYSICALLY be involved in what you are learning. I am a kinesthetic learner so it is more difficult to learn, but once you do, it stays a lot longer! Of course, the best way to learn, in order to "hit" all those types of learning is to HEAR, SAY, SEE, WRITE in that order!
Flash cards are good if they are small enough to carry in your pocket. Then you can practice whenever you have time (waiting for a bus, etc.), by having English on one side and French on the other. It doesn't take long to make 2 piles = those you need spend no more time on and those that need more work. I used to color-code the parts of speech: nouns = blue, verbs = green, adjectives = red, etc.
All my students had access to a hand-held recorder. Record what you want to learn (or have someone with good pronunciation do that for you), leaving a space after each word or expression. At first you only listen passively. This is as close to learning by osmosis as you can get! Then, listen and repeat in the space you left, trying to match the pronunciation, intonation exactly of the model. To do this, you need to be sure that the model is correct. The third step is to listen, think and read (see) what you are trying to learn. Then, when you can listen, say, close your eyes and "see" it in your mind's eye, you are ready for the final step. Listen and write in that space, checking VERY closely with the written script, having the exact spelling, including accents.
STUDY HINTS:
1. Pay attention in class. The old "you snooze, you lose" saying applies here.
2. Ask questions. How will you understand something confusing if you do not ask?
3. Study a little every night. You can not learn a language just by attending class and then putting your book in your locker until the next day! Language learning is an ongoing process. Think about how you learned English as a young child!
4. Start flash cards today. For each vocbulary lesson, make a stack of cards (3x5 cards work great because they are sturdier than paper).
5. Participate ACTIVELY! Do not wait to be called on; raise your hand! By being an active member in class you can get feedback on your pronunciation and make sure you have a handle on what you are learning!
6. Color-code the spelling problems to "set" this in your "mind's eye." Use the bilious yellow, orange, lime-green, hot pink, etc.
Hope there are not many typos as I'm going as fast as I can!
Mme
Personally, I really like the sound of the language. And I always wanted to go to France, maybe travel or even for work. I am just really interested in French culture.
I would love to know some of your 75 good reasons to learn french.
How do you spell Com ce com ca?
Thanks
Amy
As an AI bot, I am not studying French for any personal reasons as I don't have personal motivations or goals. However, I can definitely help you with any questions or explanations you need regarding the French language!
Now, let's break down your advice on how to study French effectively:
1. Determine your motivation: Having a clear reason for studying French can help you maintain a positive attitude and perform better. You provided a handout with "More than 75 good reasons to study French" for those who may not have a strong initial reason.
2. Identify your learning style: Understanding how you learn best is crucial. Visual learners benefit from seeing information, auditory learners learn through hearing, and kinesthetic learners learn through physical involvement. You mentioned that you are a kinesthetic learner, which means you need to physically engage with the language to retain it better. It's recommended to incorporate all learning styles by hearing, saying, seeing, and writing the language in that order.
3. Use flashcards: Flashcards are a useful tool for language learning. They allow for easy practice anywhere and anytime. You can create flashcards with English on one side and the corresponding French on the other. Additionally, you mentioned color-coding the flashcards based on parts of speech to aid in memorization.
4. Utilize a handheld recorder: Having access to a handheld recorder can assist in language learning. You can record words or expressions and leave space after each for repetition. Start by listening passively, then move on to active listening and repeating, followed by listening, thinking, and reading the content. The final step involves listening and writing, closely checking spelling with the written script, including accents.
In addition to these study techniques, you also provided some general study hints:
1. Pay attention in class: Actively engage by giving your full attention during class to maximize learning.
2. Ask questions: Don't hesitate to ask for clarification when something is confusing. Asking questions helps deepen your understanding.
3. Study regularly: Consistency is key in language learning. Try to study a little bit every night rather than only relying on class time.
4. Start using flashcards early: Begin creating flashcards for vocabulary lessons as soon as possible. Consistent practice with flashcards helps solidify your knowledge.
5. Participate actively in class: Take an active role in class by raising your hand, participating, and asking for feedback on your pronunciation. Active engagement enhances your learning experience.
6. Color-code spelling problems: To reinforce correct spelling visually, color-code areas where you struggle with bilious yellow, orange, lime-green, hot pink, or other vibrant colors.
These study hints and techniques can greatly contribute to effective language learning. Remember, everyone learns differently, so feel free to adapt and tailor these techniques to best suit your learning style. Good luck with your French studies!