How to deal with the language barrier after moving to France?
1. Start learning the French language. Find out what French language programmes and courses are available. Don’t forget to study every day.
2. Find yourself a French tutor. You can ask your local language learning coordinator for help to find a professional tutor.
3. Read French books, newspapers and magazines. Find your favourites and read them every day.
4. learn from others. Ask your French friends to speak to you exclusively in French.
5. Listen to French music and watch French films. Find your favourites and listen to them often.
French language courses
– Duolingo: Duolingo is a free app and website that allows users to learn French. The app offers interactive French lessons that cover vocabulary, grammar, listening and reading.
– Rosetta Stone: Rosetta Stone is one of the most well-known language learning platforms. It offers interactive French lessons that follow the Rosetta Stone language teaching methodology. The platform also provides lessons supported by games, exercises and many other features.
– Babbel: Babbel is a French language learning app that allows users to learn words and phrases in French. The app offers lessons in the form of games, exercises and many other interactive tools.
– FluentU: FluentU is a French language course that teaches users the language by watching videos and listening to music. The app also includes practical language lessons, tests and exercises.
– FrenchPod101: FrenchPod101 is one of the most popular platforms for learning French. The platform offers interactive audio, video and text lessons, as well as quizzes, exercises and other language learning tools.
Finding a French tutor
To find a tutor in France, it is best to use an online search engine. Just type ‘tutor in France’ or ‘French teacher in France’ to get a list of people who offer tutoring services. You can also try to find a tutor in the local newspapers. You can also contact local language schools to find out if they offer tutoring for a particular language.
Reading books and magazines in French
Reading books and newspapers to learn the language is an effective method. It allows you to practise your language skills and acquire vocabulary. Try to read texts of different levels of difficulty, including books and newspapers that are related to your interest or work. You can also use different tools to learn the words and phrases they use in the language. This will make your learning even more effective.
Learning a language by talking to people
This is one of the best ways to master a language. Talking to people allows you to put into practice what you have learned and face the difficulties of speaking the language. This can be done both in a virtual environment and in the real world, depending on your abilities. There are different ways to deepen your knowledge by talking to people. You can interview people who speak the language, use online forums and discussion groups, attend group and industry meetings, use online courses, etc. When you interview other people, you can remember new vocabulary and expressions faster and get a better feel for the structure of the language. As a result, you get a better feel for the language and can use it better. You can also expand your vocabulary and remember new phrases and expressions related to your native language.
Talking to people in their native language is also an excellent way to learn about the culture and mentality of a nation. It also allows you to narrow down the circle of people with whom you can establish friendly relationships and exchange knowledge of the French language.
Watching films and listening to music to learn French
Films:
– Mon Oncle (1958) – a classic 1959 French film about a family living in a Parisian house.
– Amélie (2001) – romantic comedy starring Audrey Tautou.
– Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain (2005) – a sequel to the cult romantic comedy Amélie.
– La Haine (1995) – an outstanding drama directed by Mathieu Kassovitz about the problems of young people from three different cultures living in the suburbs of Paris. – Le Dîner de Cons (1998) – a comedy starring Thierry Lhermiit.
Music:
– Edith Piaf – France’s most famous artist who influenced many generations of French artists.
– Jacques Brel – influential French singer and composer who was active in the 1950s and 1960s.
– Serge Gainsbourg – renowned French artist, creator of the song ‘Le Poinçonneur des Lilas’, among others.
– Yann Tiersen – famous French composer whose work is used in many films and operas.
– Stromae – a Belgian singer whose music is inspired by the French musical tradition.