Best way to learn a language?

[theluckiest]

Recently went to France. Loved it and tried my hardest to use the little French I know. Realised that I'd love to know more.

I did it at school 1000 years ago but just for a year. I took Spanish at GCSE and retained very little whereas the little French I learned has stuck.

I can get by in French but would love to be more fluent - what's the best way to learn? An app? Actual classes? Any recommendations or advice?

Duolingo app

Watch French TV shows

Duolingo is ok for written, I’ve done 15 minutes a day for years. Not sure what the answer is for spoken though (it’s not Duolingo!(

Excellent idea - it's a great excuse to watch French films and boxsets!!

I’ve used this over the past year
www.newsinslowfrench.com

Agree with Duolingo. Also set the language and subtitles on your streaming app to French.

Actual classes are worthwhile. Duolingo is very useful for vocabulary and moderately useful for grammar, but being in a class in which these things are taught properly, and being obliged to do interactive speaking exercises, is a lot better for getting the language to stick.

The real answer is probably "live in France for a year or two", but I suspect that's not realistic.

What do you mean exactly by "I can get by in French"?

I mean that I've got the basics so am not a complete beginner.
But want to be more confident and fluent

Actual classes.
Duolingo is great but it's not a replacement for a real teacher. Can you check out local French classes or online classes at the Institut Français ?

You tube. Google French kids songs.
Watch kids cartoons in French.
Watch stories for kids being read.

Also learn some basic phrases from you tube beginners French classes.

If you can, attend classes.

Another one for actual classes. Duolingo’s ok but for conversations, & for writing any more than basic sentences, classes are far better & also a lot more fun.

If you don’t have any local ones, try searching ‘online French classes’ & see what comes up.

italki is great if you can’t attend in-person classes - you can book lessons with actual teachers and more informal chats with native speakers.

The only way to learn a language is to speak it 24/7 for at least 6 months which isn't an option for most

After using Duoling for a year it did help with my understanding of French when I went to Paris with DD but it was difficult for me to speak it

However I'd did manage to use it in a couple of emergency situations and although I was understood it felt a bit comical to me trying desperately to string a sentence together with some have actions

Watching lots of French films, and listening to familiar audiobooks in French will all help.

When they have deals, Babbel Live classes are excellent for speaking. Duo is massively underrated, you can build a strong vocabulary on there and if you follow their tips to write down everything you can remember from each lesson it will be a big help.

Lingopie or similar browser extensions that let you watch Netflix with both sets of subtitles (your first language and your target language).

Michel Thomas for speaking- you tube
Films on Netflix
Slow News French - app
language online courses- italki
Summer courses in France
I know it sounds silly but you have to start thinking in French.
Most importantly you will have to be consistent .

I speak French and Spanish to a decent level

'Thinking in French' this is so true! I did A Level French, and I was at my strongest when thinking (and dreaming!) in French - generally only happened when I was fully immersed (living with a French family for 2 weeks).

I've started Duolingo for Italian (completely new language for me, apart from what I've picked up when on holiday). I can see it's really helpful for reading, but I plan to start real lessons at some point to improve listening and speaking. I found Slow News too advanced for me (although encourage my son to use it to support his A Level language).

actual classes. I'm doing Lingoda, you have small online live classes with native speakers, many levels and various topics to choose from. Private also possible. And as the teachers are all over the world, you can book classes whenever suits you. Can highly recommend.

Duolingo was great for the basics & I still use it for grammar revision, but now I’m in a class, we’re writing short essays & getting feedback, having conversations & debates, doing roleplays - that’s all the stuff that’s making the difference for me!

Yeah I don't think Duolingo alone will get anyone very far but it can help.

Definitely. It gave me a really strong start.

The thing that helps me most it to go for weekend holidays and fly by the seat of my pants while talking to natives.

Do everything. Duolingo, watch French tv, listen to French radio, listen to podcasts in the car, find French speakers online and arrange zoom calls.
Look up if there are French organisations or schools in your area. There is a French school in Bristol for example. They will have Xmas and summer fairs you can attend and practise speaking to teachers and parents.

Have a fling with a native French speaker

Don't scoff, it really works.

I’m trying to learn several languages at the moment. A bit of an odd hobby for someone without the natural talent for it but I enjoy it and it keeps my mind occupied. Italian and Arabic are the ones I focus on. I use duolingo and rossetta stone for app learning. Though there are several different language learning apps and you can do free trials to see which ones you like. I tried Mondly but the Arabic was computer generated and not accurate.You can also use Gp chat and chat to a robot if you like or duolingo max offers this option too for French learners. I download audiobooks and listen in the car/ doing house work. You could listen to French radio. Also Netflix has language learning options now. As for coversation I think there are language exchange websites for free or you can get a tutor on Italki or pre play from £4 a lesson.