Learn French Free Audio Sites

From LoveToKnow French

One great way to work on your French pronunciation is to use some of the Internet's many learn French free audio sites that teachers and language enthusiasts have developed. Many educational sites designed just for this purpose are available, free to access via the internet.

Online Learn French Free Audio Sites

While there are a host of CD-based language learning programs out there, these cost anywhere from $30 to $300. The beauty of the Internet is being able to find sources online where you can get similar materials for free. The following sites provide audio samples in many different formats; some you play directly from your computer and others you can download and put on your mp3 player for learning on the go.

Loquella French: Based on language learning principles of the Foreign Service Institute, which trained people in foreign languages before they were sent abroad, this site offers recordings of short sentences. First, a male voice says the phrase while you look at both the French phrase he is saying and the English translation of the phrase. The phrase is then repeated by a female voice and only the French phrase is displayed. This is a good method to both work on your pronunciation AND learn what the phrase means. Ideally, you should repeat the phrase at least twice, once following the male voice and once following the female voice; even better is to hit the back button and repeat it over and over again until you sound just like the native speakers! This is one of the best resources for learning how to say French phrases without actually being in a French classroom or having a French tutor.
Zap French: A more basic resource offering French numbers and letters, key phrases and vocabulary. Each phrase or word has an arrow next to it, which when clicked starts the audio so that you can hear the proper French pronunciation of it.
Single Serving French: A basic resource featuring common words, numbers and alphabet. The offerings are similar to those of Zap French, but this site is for downloading the sound files so that you can listen and learn anywhere you can use an mp3 player.
Google Video or YouTube: Watch clips of your favorite movies, interviews, etc. by typing in a name and then using a few of the following key terms version française, en français or doublage français. This option is most educational for those who already have a working knowledge in French.

French Pronunciation

Since French pronunciation is so different from English pronunciation, learning how to say things in French is one of the most difficult aspects of learning French for many students. While it can be tempting to rely on first learning to read and write French, and then after you know the basic vocabulary and phrases to begin learning pronunciation, this can actually make learning pronunciation even more difficult.

Unlearning Faulty French Pronunciation

If you first spend a lot of time memorizing phrases and learning to read and spell them, you will develop a pronunciation of them in your head. Since French sounds are so different from English ones, you will undoubtedly come up with pronunciations that are not only incorrect, but are virtually unrecognizable as French. When you go on to attempt learning the proper pronunciation, you will first have to unlearn the incorrect pronunciation, which will make the entire process take twice as long.

For this reason, it is far more efficient to learn the proper pronunciation at the same time as you learn the phrase itself.

Learn Correct French Pronunciation

The online learn French free audio sites referenced above are great resources for enabling students to learn the words and phrases of French in two modes at once. These sites offer the written form of the word or phrase, as well as an audio recording of it, which means that you can learn all aspects of it at once. This is not only the most efficient way to learn French, but it's also a lot more fun because you can show off your new French skills from day one!

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