Language learning apps

[Taytotots]

I am working on improving my French. I am at a lower intermediate level (B1). At the moment my/kids schedule makes classes difficult and I was thinking of trying an app. I'd particularly like to practice speaking more. I"m shy about trying with real people until I improve. Also grammar. Facebook keeps trying to sell me AI conversation practice things. Also some packages. I have looked for reviews but it is hard to tell which are real now. I have duolingo and lingolia for grammar. Watching tv in French for comprehension practice. Does anyone have any recommendations? I don't mind paying for something good.

Alexa on YouTube is good, and there is also someone on YouTube called Vincent, which seemed like it might be OK. I haven't really tried him as he has a piecing look about him!

Is there no way you’d consider conversation with a real person? B1 seems like a perfect level for this: enough grammar and vocab to get started, no expectation of fluency.

I say this because I’ve also been like this about speaking and have found it just doesn’t work to put it off. I used teachers from italki - no ‘performing’ for other students, just improving with someone who wants you to learn. And no commitment to a fixed schedule.

I haven’t found an app that provides anything so good and it means you aren’t putting off the moment you reveal yourself to the world as a French-speaker!

Thanks @TwoLeftSocksWithHoles I will look them up. @ClafoutisSurprise I have been attempting this a bit. I have a French friend who I do walks with and we talk in French and got my French colleagues to talk in French rather than English last night when we met (although I didn't say much ☺️) . But I get a bit embarrassed and freeze so was wondering if an app or something might be a way to get around this. I live in a place which is officially bilingual (French/English) but mostly English near me. So there are opportunities. I know most of the vocab and grammar but my brain is slow finding the right bits.

Speaking in person is the only way to get over the freeze thing. An app won't help, IME.

Find as many opportunities as possible to force yourself to converse in French. Ideally something like a social meet up or club that you don't have to go to every week if it's difficult with scheduling, but try to get yourself to go as often as you can.

If you drink alcohol, a small amount REALLY helps get over the inhibition over speaking, BTW. Then once you've done it a few times it transfers over to situations without alcohol.

Thanks @BertieBotts ! Good excuse for a glass of 🍷 then! I know of a few others who would like to practice so might try to set up a conversation night in the pub (I have some French speakers that I can persuade to come I think). There is one in town already but during the working day so mainly suits retirees.

Yes that sounds like a great idea. I joined a choir locally (I live in non-English-speaking country) and they have a small bar so after practice most people stay to chat for about an hour most weeks. It has honestly been the most helpful thing ever in terms of my fluency and confidence! I only drink the equivalent of a shandy but it seems to loosen me up enough to have made a huge difference. I've been going for about 9 months now and I'd say my language has improved perhaps half a CEFR level.

Speaking in person is the only way to get over the freeze thing. An app won't help, IME.

This.

Which particular aspect about speaking with other people makes you worry? Making grammar mistakes, accent?

@TonTonMacoute just returned to this! I think it's mainly grammar fluency/tenses that makes me hesitant. So I am practicing that too.

I'm learning German. I subscribed to the AI conversation app Langua (it does French too!) after watching/reading reviews of various AIs. It is very easy to use and has definitely improved my speaking. Of course, its not the same as talking to a real person, but one month's sub is cheaper than one online lesson with a tutor and I can practice whenever and where ever I want. Yes, it's buggy and it sometimes says strange things or makes mistakes. But the only thing that really matters is that I have improved A LOT since starting to use it. It does grammar practice as well as general conversation and role plays. Some people find talking to an AI boring. I treat it like a puzzle and really enjoy it.

Thanks @AudiobookListener - sounds like that's worth checking out.

I also went back to your OP and noticed this I'm shy about trying with real people until I improve.

This is key, don't be! Easier to say than to do I know, but people really don't mind. You can apologise in advance and even ask them to correct you, by far the majority of French people love it when you speak the language and are very encouraging.

To add the Coffee Break French/Spanish/Germsn etc podcasts are fantastic to have on in the car etc and practice along with - free too ☺️