Learning a Language

Frequent_Flyer_UK

I am looking to learn to speak French and unfortunately the option of spending four weeks living in France is not an option so I would like to get peoples views of the various CD systems that are available eg Berlitz, Linguaphone BBC etc etc

Did you find them useful, what were the positive and negatives of the various systems. Naturally enough do you think they were value for money.

thanks

John

Claude_2

I am a teacher in Adult Education and my first advice to you would be to join a class. Usually they are not expensive, and you will get advice and support from you tutor, and support from being in a group.

If you can't join a class, then I would recommend the BBC courses. I like French Experience1, as it puts the learner in real life situations, with real life accents, etc. It's a little expensive (you could get a cheap one from Ebay) but the package is a book and 4 audio tapes. Plus there are frequent repeats of the programmes on the Learning Zone on BBC2 (4 - 5 o'clock in the morning so you need a recorder) and you can also use the website which has a good range of activities.

I understand that many people like Michel Thomas' way of teaching. It's all done through listening to the cd. Personnally I can't stand his voice and I hate his accent. It always sounds like he is playing with his false teeth too :rotfl:

We all learn differently so it might also be a good idea to go to your local bookshop and have a look at the books available. You might like a format better than another.

But whatever book/ programme you choose, what is important is that you study little and regularly

Gosh, I'm in full teacher mode now :rotfl: :rotfl:

Claude_2

I forgot: a glass of wine always helps too :rotfl:

Eliza252

I just signed up to a french course which is run by my local council - and it works out at less than £5 a week.
look at your local authority website - they run the cheapest courses!

Claude_2

You're right Eliza. Such courses are really cheap. Some of the courses I teach are £60 for 20 x 2 hours sessions!

carol_a_3

I've been going along to French classes through the local adult ed for 15 years now and love it. It's nice to mix with like minded people and if you get a native speaking tutor you learn lots of information like how it was being a child growing up in France, the political system etc etc. Our classes have jumped up to £115 for 25 X 2 hour sessions this year but I think it still represents good value for money.

lolly5648

I would start with the BBC courses online which are free and very user friendly see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/french/lj/.

I am learning Spanish and found it a very useful starting point. It is easy to follow and you can repeat the phrases and see what they are saying in both French and English.

Good luck

Middlestitch

The BBC book 'Talk French' (you really do need to buy it with tapes or CDs, as many of the exercises relate to these - and, of course, you get to hear plenty of spoken French this way) helped me a lot. W H Smith were selling these at half price when I bought mine last month (book + CDs cost me £7.48) and I thought it was extremely good value.

Middlestitch

Sorry, forgot to mention International House (https://www.ihlondon.com). If you live within commuting distance of London, they offer short courses (including French and German) taught by trainee teachers at very modest cost.

hawfannybaws

:cool: I have used the Pimsleur language courses on CD, just rip them to MP3 and play them on your MP3 player/phone or whatever. The quality is consistently excellent. They are expensive but you may get some on Ebay or by more nefarious means...

m00nie

i got my spanish course form the library, cost something like £2 for 3 weeks hire