French for adults

[MariaBranwell]

I wondered if anyone could recommend a self study French language course. I did a GCSE (30 years ago) but have not spoken French since apart from on holiday.

Our two year plan includes buying a house in France. I like the look of the two OU French courses but am finishing off some professional exams and can't commit that sort of time this year. The reason I like the second OU one is that it is recognised and in the longer term if we move permanently I might think about working (although I know nothing about the accreditation).

Unfortunately I can't attend classes at all, in the longer term I could see a private tutor if I could take my daughter with me.

Thanks very much.

Local colleges often have adult language courses, and those tutors can do one one on classes as well if you ask them. Alternatively I am sure there is a website somewhere that can give you more information, what are you hoping to do with your language skills? I am a teacher here but would not be able to teach in France.

Thanks for your reply - my primary aim would just to be to be able to communicate/write well in daily life. There are lots of websites - but I was looking for a recommendation as other than the OU (which I expect will be reasonable) I don't know the providers.

I am not sure what I would do if I returned to work to be honest, I am currently a full time mum but I have had a varied career (seem to have spent my life doing exams, 3 different post grad quals). I am sure I could do something if my language skills were good enough.

Absolutely!

I can't recommend the Michel Thomas audio course more highly. I did French GCSE but didn't pay much attention. I passed the exam but forgot most of it over the years.

Several years ago I started walking in the Pyrenees and realised that if I could communicate everything would be much more fun. I bought the Introductory course, and then progressed to the Advanced.

He has a unique method. You listen in to him giving lessons to two students, and learn with them. There's no homework, no conscious remembering and (maybe not ideal for you, but give it a chance) no writing down. He claims that simply by listening you'll learn. It's true: you really will. I certainly did.

The Advanced course introduces grammar: tenses, spellings etc. By the time I'd finished it I was able to communicate in a fairly sophisticated way with the people I met in France.

I used to listen when walking, cooking, doing stuff around the house and in all sorts of other situations. It was fun. I really enjoyed it!

Look him up. I'd recommend taking a look on Ebay if you like the look of the courses, as you'll almost certainly find used copies much more reasonably priced. Even at full price, though, I'd happily pay again if I were starting afresh.

Good luck :)

Thank you - I ordered a set of Michel Thomas CDs on e-bay last night, hopefully I will get off the ground with those!

There are also some great websites. Duolingo, American Foreign Services Institute and Busuu.

They all have a module system which you can work through. On Busuu you can do webcam tutorials with other users.

You can do a lot by yourself, but to make real progress you will need someone to practice speaking with, and who can correct your mistakes.

Another vote for Michel Thomas here. I also recommend Fluent in 3 Months which is a mine of great advice on language learning (with the emphasis on using the language rather than the more formal, academic kind of approach). You might also like to check out Livemocha which is an online language learning platform.

Thanks very much - there is so much out there I am not sure I would have found them. I have e-mailed a couple of tutors today so hopefully will find someone locally to help me.

Delighted to hear you've ordered the Michel Thomas! Please let us know how you get on.

I tried to find tutors locally after getting back from France (first by trying to sign up for language courses at local colleges, and then by looking for a 1-2-1 tutor, but I had no luck. Where you live you may have more available. Good luck!