How to Speak French

From LoveToKnow French

When it comes to how to speak French, students of all ages should count themselves very lucky because there are more options than ever before to learn this terrific language!

Getting Started

Before you begin your studies, consider the following:

Why are you learning French?: Are you learning French for pleasure or for your career? Determining the reason for studying French is an important distinction to make because it will help direct your studies and show you the best place to begin.

How much time do you have available?: Obviously, the way one approaches learning a new language will vary depending on how much time is available to learn it.

Consider your budget.: In terms of keeping costs low, the best way to learn French may be to enroll in a free online French class. Along with this, explore other avenues, like visiting your local Library, as another wallet-friendly option.

How to Speak French: Available Options

How one approaches language learning can be intensely personal, but one thing is certain. You’ll need to start at the beginning! Here are the different options on how to speak French:

Introductory Phrases

You can begin with practicing basic or introductory French phrases, such as:

Hello: Bon jour!

Goodbye: Au revoir!

My name is: Je m’appellle

How are you: Comment t’allez vous? (informal)

How are you: Comment vous alley vous? (Formal)

Good, thank you: Bien, s’il vous plait.

Learn the French Alphabet

Once you’ve got the basic French niceties down, it’s time to move on to the French alphabet. This will help you obtain a firmer grasp of French grammar, and it will also improve your pronunciation. The important factor here is not to be shy; practice saying the alphabet (along with the basic phrases) out loud, so that you begin to get the rhythm of the language. There are many online resources, such as French Tutorial's Audio Alphabet that have audio tools for listening to the French alphabet and make for easier French pronunciation.

Enroll in Free French Lessons

Now comes the exciting part! It’s time to enroll in some free French lessons! There are several different online sites one can visit for free French lessons in how to speak French. The best way to approach this section of one’s studies is to move from the easiest levels, to the more difficult ones. In that order, consider:

Bonjour.com: Bonjour.com is considered one of the easiest places to start because it only covers very basic French phrases, like that of "Thank you", "Thanks a lot", and "I would like". That being so, what makes this site unique is that the user is able to listen to the phrases. This will allow you to begin to get the feel for the language, as well as the pronunciation.

E Languages School: At the intermediate level is E Languages School. Love this site for its coherent approach at language learning. Not only do they cover the basics of French words and phrases, but they also offer grammar that is conveniently divided into topics, for example vacations.

The Open Learning Initiative: Intermediate to advanced, the Open Learning Initiative covers everything one needs to know about speaking French. This online tool is run in conjunction with Carnegie Melon and as such, is treated as a serious course of study. This online site is perfect for the serious French student that wants to take their language skills that much further.

Additional Resources

Whether an expert or a novice, it is important for the French student to practice everything he or she learns. This is where some additional resources come in handy. These can range from a traditional approach of visiting your local library and renting some compact discs to listen to, or the approach can be more technologically advanced by searching for French videos on You Tube. The important thing to keep in mind is that no matter the approach, it feels comfortable to you. This is because the more comfortable you feel, the more pleasure you will take in your studies, and this in turn, can translate into you learning the language more fully!