learn french

I know. I’ve tried taking French before, but every time something comes up and I switch out of the class or drop the class. This time, I’m taking the course with a friend, so hopefully that’ll be a little more motivation!

Enrolled in another French class this fall. Plan to finish at least two years of French. I also have so many podcasts on my iTunes. Should fill my Shuffle with French podcasts next time I hit the gym. Except then I’ll probably be at the gym for a total of 15 minutes before I die of boredom.

I’ve started to work ahead in the French textbook. I don’t know exactly what will be assigned for homework (it’s all on a website for us), so I’ve decided to just do all the exercises. I’ve finished all the textbook ones and some of the workbook, for the lesson after the one we’re currently on and will be finished with on the 25th.

Also, I have my first meetings with two potential tutors this week. One is more geared toward conversation, which is good since I hope to go to France this summer and I’d like to be able to, you know, talk a bit.

Got an A on the first test, think I did well on the second. I don’t feel like I really know French though. I feel like I’ve just learned some vocab and grammar. I don’t think we practice speaking/listening enough. I’m sure if you threw me on the streets of Paris, I’d probably be unable to communicate, unless in English. Or Chinese. Or even Spanish.

So, I’m trying to find a tutor.

Yet another goal completed (or ok, getting close to completed….well, really, just with you know the probability of completion) because of school. While I wouldn’t say I’m fluent in French or even really know the language at all, I am learning it and, with luck, should finish the basic language series by this fall.

I never thought I’d actually work on this goal, but here I am enrolled in French 1 this Fall and planning on an internship in Paris next summer. So I am now forced to take French 1-3 this year and hopefully I’ll learn enough to get by!

I’ve never had 43 goals on my list, because I think my mind is only big enough to deal with a few goals at a time, with a few longterm ones just to remind me of future possibilities.

So, when today I saw “Your 39 Things” I decided that it was time to cull the weaklings (sad, I know). The first on the list to go is “Learn french”.

Dear goal, I did want to finish you, truly I did, but somehow I never quite started. I downloaded the French education podcasts and even found some websites, but I never set out to memorize the vocabulary or even read a bit of grammar. And for that, I am sorry. I do hope to re-open you again someday, though, some time when I am less busy and more motivated.

So in closing…It’s not you, it’s me.

Goodbye goal!

Does anyone know of any good books, books on tape, or websites to learn French?

I’ve never taken a course, so I probably need something intensive.

I put this goal up on my 43 as a sort of tongue in cheek joke.

But I just downloaded a French course, via iTunes free podcasts.

So I guess I’m starting!