speak fluent french

Looks like My Happy Planet could be a good bet for me improving and practicing languages, including French. Just gotta wait for it to come out of it’s closed beta state to actually try the thing out!

Well, in the last few months I have made close friendships with people who are very good with French… I find this interesting. I need to start from scratch again, however. The whole “let’s take a course as if I was freshly out of high school” plan didn’t really take last year!

OK – so FREN*1200 is not something I am ready for. I popped into the first class today to see where everything starts off. It’s been over 10 years since my last high school French course so (although I understood much of what was said) I really felt in over my head. And I don’t have the time or the heart right now to give myself over to it. But hey, going for the first class was an interesting experience. Plus I was left with some good resources and ideas to get me working on French on my own again. I’m still proud I even walked into the class…. somehow that’s a start!

I have FREN*1200 – Intermediate French I (or something to that effect) officially on my fall semester schedule.

If it actually stays on there remains to be seen, but there weren’t many slots that fit into my “dream schedule” so I grabbed one of them. I might only take 2 courses this semester, so French is sitting in a precarious position dependent on what I decide to do about/with Music History III. So, we’ll see….....

I’m not sure if I’m jumping the gun here or not, but it is possible that I will be taking a French course in the Fall. It looks like I’m planning to return to school in September … either to fill in some time while I’m recovering from illness, or to embark upon a second undergraduate degree (why not?) so I might start back into studying French formally as soon as then! Insane! I’m not ready! LOL

I’ve slacked off a bit lately, but I did get a French language CD for Christmas. I’m hoping that it will help me regain some vocabulary and common phrases that I seem to be stupidly rusty on. Then again, how long has it been since I took this at all seriously?

Also, I got my 5 year old niece a French book of words to make sure it becomes part of her life. She’s already picked up a bit from school, but she knows far more Spanish than French, thanks to a certain “Explorer” on TV. So I’m trying to get her to teach me Spanish words and I’ll teach her French. We’ll see how long that lasts. I’m not nearly as cool as Dora. ;)

I’m on my way to getting my tenses back in order… still a long way to go to feel at ease, but it’s coming!

I’ve been finding all kinds of useful internet resources. The online courses are most useful… especially the ones that teach and test you. I’ll pass links on if anybody is interested!

And I’m also sticking with my French blogging at least every few days. I really recommend this… it takes a bit to get used to, since English blogging is so easy (just think and type, and sometimes not even think!) but it does get easier. (especially when the brain starts gettings tenses again! ;)

All the best, fellow French learners!

OK – I’ve unearthed my French notes from high school, started up a “French only” blog on Blogger, and have agreed to teach a kid piano with my payment being that she helps me with my conversational French (she speaks French in her home). I’ve also started watching French television (when I remember)... like newscasts, game shows, and kids programming.

So far the hardest part is getting my tenses back up and running again. It makes it tricky to express myself or to understand others when the present tense is all I remember. But it’s good to have a plan finally.