8 Tips for Beginners
Where to start? How to make quick progress?
NON VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Regardless of where we come from, we all know the meaning of a smile. Use your body language to say hello, welcome people in, say stop, show incomprehension, say thank you, express friendship, etc.
MANNERS
You may feel the French haven't fully mastered customer service ... but they are attached to their manners. Get the person you are talking to on your side by saying "Bonjour Mesdames, Messieurs" on the way in and "Bonne journée à vous" on the way out!
KEEP CALM
You already know a lot of French words (about 150000 are the same as in English). Don't panic if you don't understand everything! Try to pick out the words you understand, and focus on building understanding around those key words.
KEY PHRASES
Identify key phrases and questions for situations you often find yourself in. Learn to ask someone to repeat themselves more slowly. To help you. To thank them for their patience. Practise giving out your personal details, etc.
PRACTICE
You know it. Practice makes perfect. Use your key phrases as often as you can, once they become automatic, you will have more space in your brain to learn new phrases and expressions.
INTERACTION
... Is your best friend! Try to get out and about in France and surround yourself with the language. Sit in a café and listen to the customers, turn on the local radio, say hello to your neighbours, etc.
GOOD IS GOOD ENOUGH
It is okay to not understand everything. To have to repeat yourself to be understood. To take time to remember the key word. If people see that you are making an effort then they will try to help you out! You are starting out on your language learning journey, perfect is not what you need!
COME TO CLASS!
I truly aim to make my courses useful to you and to help you start speaking French asap! I focus on the language you need to tackle everyday situations you face in France and to come out of interaction with your French friends and neighbours with a smile on your face!