is there a fun (ish), maybe interactive way I could brush up on my french

[TiredFeet]

I used to be relatively good at french (A at A level and a first in the translation module I did in my first year of university) but I haven't used it much since for one reason or another even though I love the language

I have a bit of free time here and there over the next few months and would like to start brushing up on my french - I would like to go to classes eventually,but don't want to pay to go over stuff I once knew really well. (This is part of a plan to fight PND by getting back into my old interests)

I would love a fairly fun /interactive way to brush up on my french, and was wondering if anyone has any recommendations?

Thanks!

[psychicpaper]

duolingo

[TiredFeet]

Thanks psychic had a google and that sounds like the kind of thing I am looking for! Will check it out properly when I get home

[throckenholt]

read the french newspapers, and listen to french radio online ?

[TiredFeet]

Thanks throckenholt that's what I used to do, and read french magazines/novels as well, but the pnd (and non-sleeping-baby exhaustion) has really knocked my ability to concentrate, which is why what I really need, for now, I think, is interactive/fun stuff while I brush up and gain confidence/motivation

then dh will HAVE to agree to a holiday in france

[TheRedQueen]

Perhaps try the Memrise language app?

[ChineseFireball]

Tiredfeet I was going to suggest immersion i.e. a nice long holiday in a pretty gite in the countryside with a private pool. Not in a touristy bit or you might be tempted to use English

[hellokittymania]

Try watching scenes de Menages and Un Gars, Une Fille on youtube. Very funny styff.

[TiredFeet]

Quite chinese , and then a winter in the alps ...

[throckenholt]

Can you tune into french radio - it could be on in the background - kind of immersion - should help to rejuvenate your french muscles :)

How about snoozing with the baby with the radio on during the day - as you relax it would seep into your brain.

Can you find any french audio books online ? If you could download some you could listen them while taking the baby on a long walk - that way you get some fresh air and exercise, baby gets some outside time and you stimulate the french bits. Might help to lift the PND a bit too.

[TiredFeet]

That's a good idea throckenholt maybe if I have it on while I am doing housework etc as well

[westcountrywoman]

Duo lingo is great. I also listen to French radio in the background and if buying a DVD, buy it in French. They always have the English soundtrack too so the option is there if watching with DH etc. I have particularly enjoyed watching Disney films in French and the DCs don't seem to care / notice that the language is wrong so I'm hopeful they'll pick a bit of French up too!

[TiredFeet]

Disney films in french is great idea! I used to watch disney in french as a child as my next door neighbour's family were all french

[airedailleurs]

sleeping dictionary

[catsofa]

Duolingo is brilliant, thanks! My Spanish is rusty and I'd been looking for a way to improve in a gentle fun way like this.

[CoteDAzur]

Affair with a French man?

Fun? Check!

Interactive? Check!

[rainyevening]

I'm late to this but just in case it's still relevant/useful, there's a great app called '7 jours sur la planete'. It's all based on current affairs, produced by TV5. There's a short news segment to watch, and then loads of learning features like subtitles, vocab lists, etc and ways to test yourself. Really bite sized and interactive.


Hope you're feeling better with the PND.

[moifem]

you can PM me. I do informal conversation refreshers on Skype.

[DrankSangriaInThePark]

Podcasts. There are millions on iTunes, all free and you can sign up to have them synched straight to whatever you use.

I have a French and Spanish degree and am using them to refresh (especially as I reckon I am speaking Spanish in a 'salutations ye sons and daughters of man thou art bidden' kind of way, given it's almost 30 yrs since I graduated)