Help with French Lessons

Tan007_2

Not sure if this is the right place to post this!

My parents are moving to France this year, and I would love to join them. I am married with 3 kids. My husband and I have a basic knowledge, but would love lessons for ourselves and our kids. I dont know if there are any students who would be able to help out. I have looked at private tuition but for 5 of us is very costly, or course I am willing to pay. We live in the midlands, or can anyone suggest any good web sites for my kids with printable worksheets etc.

Thanks

pinkshoes

A cassette/CD to learn spoken french is the best starting point. Perhaps the basic Michel Thomas one, which is on offer with amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Michel-Thomas-Foundation-Course-French/dp/0340938919/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200327423&sr=1-1

Don't worry too much about written french for now! I would also recommend getting some CDs with songs on for your kids (or if they're older, some stories to listen to), as the best way is to listen and repeat, then throw yourself into conversation!

Singing songs helps too, no matter how silly!!

#Un elephant, qui se balançait, sur une toile toile toile toile d'araign!e...#

(sorry, my OH is french and has a 4 year old cousin who taught me that at christmas!)

ariba10

What ever you do. Do not put up a card in a phone box.

Oldernotwiser

You could put a card up in your local university or contact local schools to see if they have a French assistante who would like to earn some extra money.

marksandsparksgal

yeah I'd go with contacting your local uni. Mine (Middlesex) has a list on the website for people looking for stuff like this. In the meantime, grab yourself a tape/cd for in the car!

codger

Tan007:

Actually, Ariba beat me to it, because the last time I saw the wording of your topic, it was indeed on a card in a phone box at the corner of Brewer Street in Soho circa 1962.

As I was not seeking to become bi-lingual at that time, I ignored it, though was almost tempted to take up painting in view of the surprising availability of so many artist's models in the immediate vicinity.

pinkshoes' recommendation of Michel Thomas is one I'd endorse, because funnily enough, or maybe not so funnily, Mr Thomas's endearing mid-European accent, which plays hell with the Spanish he tries to teach, isn't that destructive when it comes to French.

Yes, he can burble on a lot, but his course is good and, more to the point, a reasonably sound investment: you can always flog it on eBay after you've finished with it, unlike the majority of other language courses on offer from elsewhere.

autumnleaf_2

This has been posted elsewhere, but just in case youve missed it... http://www.mangolanguages.com/. Sorry if Im not allowed to post something that exists elsewhere, Im still getting to grips with this forum

anitamarie

Try http://www.firsttutors.co.uk - lists local tutors with their rates, some are students so you might be able to get a good deal.

Voyager2002

Try your nearest public library: you will have a wide selection of courses on various audio-visual media. All free to borrow.

ladymarmalade

oh well done you. french is great

an audio material is indeed a great place to start, but finding someone who can speak french would be great too. You learn things that tapes cant teach you and the interaction gives you a feel for the pace. Universities would have lots of students willing to help and perhaps even native speakers.

I am going to france next year to teach english to french children! how old are your children? I will see if there is anything suitable on the internet

good luck....its a fabulous language.

pinkshoes

ladymarmalade wrote: »

I am going to france next year to teach english to french children! how old are your children? I will see if there is anything suitable on the internet

good luck....its a fabulous language.

Hi Ladymarmalade.

I'm planning on doing the same one day (not for another 5 years at least!), so just wondered what route you went down qualification wise, and what sort of teaching are you going to be doing? (i.e. state school, private school, or private tuition?).

I already speak french pretty well, so mastered that bit, but not sure how to go down the teaching route!