Learning new things is always a difficult long process that requires not only excellent theoretical knowledge, but also frequent practice. Learning French from scratch is more than realistic. All it takes is a little patience, effort, and diligence. In this article, we will help you deal with all the intricacies of the upcoming case.

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Starting from the basics

To start speaking a foreign language no worse than native speakers, you need to make a lot of reinforcement. How can you learn French if you've never experienced it before? It is worth starting the study from scratch, so it will be easier to get used to speech, spelling and more. This stage includes an elementary vocabulary, a set of rules for pronunciation, use, which are most often used in reality.

Let's take a look at a few tips to help you channel your forces on the right track:

• Learning French start with easy words such as greetings, goodbyes, thanks. It is enough to memorize two phrases every day, as well as translate them into frequent use in life.
• Gradually add additional elements to what you have learned, translating them into simple sentences, such as: "How are you?", "Can I count", "How much is it?" Like words, repeat them every day, using in real practice.
• Make up your own biography in a foreign language, where you will find answers to the main questions: "What is the name?", "How old?", "Where?" ...
• Continue to practice daily, even if the words and phrases are clearly memorized. Use a tutorial, it helps in learning French from scratch.
• Place stickers all over the house, denoting objects that are most often used in everyday life with foreign names: refrigerator, stove, bedside table, doors, windows, tables, chairs, TV, telephone, iron, and more. It will be much easier to remember the French names as they are always in plain sight.

Advice! If you are studying on the eve of a business trip, significantly increase your French vocabulary by focusing on the profession, complementing the basic terms for beginners.

Advanced Learning

If it's easier to master the basics on your own, then deeper knowledge requires the help of a qualified specialist. Is it difficult to cope alone? Of course! You will be able to memorize, group words into whole sentences, and over time you will understand how to learn to speak French well, but this is very little. The ability to correctly select temporary inserts, to persuade, to become understandable for a native speaker is a big job, which only a professional will help to cope with.

To learn French in depth, follow these guidelines:

1. Educational program for children and adults differs, but there is one main thread: associate each new knowledge with something ordinary. This makes it easier for you to remember even the most complex terminology.
2. Hire a professional teacher, he will help with the question: "How to quickly learn French from scratch?", Attend his lessons 2-3 times a week. Do not stop repeating the old in everyday life, supplementing with new knowledge. Watching movies can help you understand spoken language and improve mental awareness as you hear French speech.
3. Introduce yourself after each French lesson. Thanks to it, you will be able to focus on the vulnerabilities, without forgetting to disassemble them in the next lesson.
4. Emphasize temporal endings, word forms, especially when learning how to read French. Write out the main rules on one sheet. then hang in a prominent place. Speak them regularly in your mind before writing a sentence or reading texts.
5. Reinforce what you have learned in each lesson. and only after that start learning new things .
6. "How to quickly learn French from scratch?" - a widespread question, the correct answer to which is one: "There is no need to rush!" Pay attention to even the smallest details, only in this case you can perfectly master speech and spelling.

Attention! How much you can learn French from scratch is a loose concept, but with the help of a professional it will be much easier and faster to achieve your goal.

Common mistakes

Learning French for beginners from scratch is difficult at first, and a lot will be incomprehensible. If you decide to study on your own, pay attention to the following mistakes:

• Learning French on your own from scratch is the most common mistake and will never lead to good results.
• Start your studies thinking only about how to quickly learn a language. Quality perception takes time and effort.
• Do not supplement the process with watching films, listening to music in French... By avoiding this, you will not understand how to learn to speak correctly.
• Without knowing foreign language literature, one cannot understand how to read as well as a native speaker.
• Teach French for children in a strict regime, especially if the acquaintance starts from scratch.
• Learning intermittently is wrong. Buy a French self-study guide and use it daily.

Advice! French for beginners is always a test and is best done under the close supervision of a professional.

1. Learning for children is easier if master the material in a playful way, combining the complex with the easy.
2. Watch more films and read books in a foreign language, preferably aloud. Thus, not only memory will work, but diction will also improve.
3. Daily contact with sources will help you understand if it is difficult to learn French on your own and if it is worth getting a tutor.
4. Do not forget to pronounce interrogative phrases with increased intonation. Start with the first lesson, so it will be easier to get used to pronouncing the French questions correctly.
5. Do not try to master the base and the main part at the same time. Randomness is the main enemy it is not conducive to how to learn French easily.
6. Don't be afraid to make mistakes when communicating. Sorry, try to fix it yourself.
7. Consider the factors that led you to want to study, if this is a work area - start learning French for business, focusing on your profession.

Polyglot. Let's learn French in 16 hours!

French Lesson 1 from Scratch for Beginners: Acquaintance

Output

Start learning French from the basics, thanks to this you will be able to better understand the structure and features, and in the future it will be easier for you to remember complex phrases and phrases. Systematic classes and maximum immersion in the language environment will help you achieve good results.

Lorenzo Garriga is a native speaker and connoisseur of the French language. He has many years of experience as a translator, author and editor. Composer, pianist and traveler who has been wandering the world for over 30 years on a tight budget and with a backpack on his back.

The number of sources used in this article:. You will find a list of them at the bottom of the page.

French is one of the most beautiful languages ​​in the world. More than 220 million people speak it - join them too! Learning a language can be difficult, but this article provides a quick overview of the methods by which you will learn French in no time!

Steps

Start learning

Find out your type of information perception. Are you visual, auditory or kinesthetic? This means how you memorize better: seeing words, hearing them, or, respectively, associating actions and feelings with words.

• If you've studied languages ​​before, think back to how you learned them and see what works for you and what doesn't.
• In most training courses, you will write a lot but speak little. Speaking and immersing yourself in a language is extremely important and is an effective way to learn the language faster.

1. Memorize 30 words and phrases every day. After 90 days, you will have learned about 80% of the language. The most common words make up the largest percentage of occurrences, so start by memorizing the most common words.

   Learn the structure of the language. Learn how verbs fit together with nouns and with each other. What you learn at the beginning of your study will make more sense as you become more proficient in the language. Always pay attention to correct pronunciation.

   Immersion in the language environment

   1. Read and write in French. To become familiar with a language, you need to read and write in it. This will help you use words you have already memorized and keep them in mind.

      Listen to something in French. Play French music or your favorite movie dubbed in French. Search for French cinema, French TV shows, and radio stations. Practice by repeating what you hear.

      SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

      Lorenzo Garriga is a native speaker and connoisseur of the French language. He has many years of experience as a translator, author and editor. Composer, pianist and traveler who has been wandering the world for over 30 years on a tight budget and with a backpack on his back.

      French translator and native speaker

      Surround yourself with native French speakers. Lorenzo Garriga, French translator, says: “The best way learn french quickly- surround yourself with people who speak it. Surrounded by people who speak french constantly, it will be easier for you to grasp the essence of words and sentences than if you pore over textbooks in your room. The best way to learn French is go where it is spoken».

      Speak French. This is one of the most important aspects of learning French. You should speak the language even if you feel uncomfortable about not knowing much. Everyone starts out like that, but over time you will improve.

      • Find a pen pal or Skype a friend who speaks French. There are many programs on the internet or at universities and language schools that can connect you with French speaking people.
      • Don't be discouraged by criticism of your pronunciation. Instead, thank the critic and work to improve.
      • Speak French out loud when you are alone. Tell us what you are doing. If you wash dishes or drive a car, talk about it. Pay attention to your intonation and pronunciation.

   2. Practice, practice, practice. Without practicing what you have learned, you will not get very far. Even a quick language learning takes a certain amount of time. If you work hard and practice what you have learned, there is no doubt that you will learn French well!

   Learn useful phrases

   • Some people are naturally good at language, and some are not. Don't use this as an excuse.
   • As you expand your vocabulary, start translating the things you encounter in your daily life. For example, after listening to a song in your native language, try translating it into French. The same can be said for menus, road signs, and even casual conversations. This may seem boring to you, but the language can only be learned with practice. Sometimes, when speaking in your native language, you will catch yourself thinking that you do not know the translation of a particular word into French. In such cases, check the dictionary so as not to lose your skills and do not forget the language.
   • Speak French to yourself. Remember to laugh at your mistakes - it helps.
   • Try to speak French when no one can hear you. If you are not sure about a phrase, double-check it in the dictionary. There are many translation apps on the internet - look for one that works for you. Don't be afraid to be wrong; mistakes are part of the learning process.

   Warnings

   • If you say the word incorrectly, apologize and calmly try again.
   • Use French or you'll forget it!

The French language is very beautiful and romantic. It is spoken by residents of different countries of the world. If you want to learn the basics of the French language, start with useful words and expressions. Learn greetings, polite phrases, ways to introduce yourself, and other simple conversation skills. Practice your pronunciation as well as the grammar and structure of the language if you're ready to dig a little deeper. Flashcards, simple children's books, and trying simple French diary entries can help you.

Steps

How to learn common words and phrases

Greet people with the words "salut", "bonjour" and "bonsoir". To start a conversation and greet passers-by, you should study the greeting words of the French language. So, in most cases, it is appropriate to greet a person with the word "bonjour" (bonjour).

• The letter "j" in the word "bonjour" is pronounced softly and sounds like the Russian sound "zh". The letter "n" should be pronounced barely perceptibly without touching the palate with the tip of the tongue. This sound originates in the back of the mouth and is nasal.
• The word literally translates to "good afternoon" and is a fairly formal greeting. In informal situations, you can say "salut" (salu), which translates as "hello."
• The word "bonjour" is best used during the day, and in the evening say "bonsoir" (bon suar), which means "good evening."

1. Say "au revoir", "bonne nuit" or "salut" to say goodbye."Au revoir" (about revoir) is the most famous version of goodbye in French, which translates as "see you soon." As a less formal expression, you can use the word "salut", which means "hello" or "goodbye". Also in French, the Italian word "ciao" is sometimes used in phrases like "Ciao, salut".

   • You can also say “bonne nuit”, which translates as “good night”.

2. Practice pronouncing letters alphabet to understand French phonetics. Pronounce the vowels a, e, i, o, u like "a", "e", "and", "o" and "y". Consonants like b and c are pronounced "bae" and "se" as opposed to the English letters "bi" and "si".

   • Pronounce the letters of the French alphabet: “a (a), be (b), se (c), de (d), e (e), eff (f), same (g), ash (h), and (i) , zhi (j), ka (k), el (l), em (m), en (n), o (o), pe (p), ku (q), er (r), es (s) , te (t), u (u), ve (v), double-ve (w), x (x), igrek, (y), zed (z) ".
   • Practice pronouncing the letters of the alphabet to better understand the sound of vowels and consonants in French. This will improve your pronunciation, even if you only want to memorize useful and common expressions.

3. Learn to count in French. The numbers will help you place an order at a restaurant or tell you your age. Divide the task into several steps to quickly learn how to count to 1000. On the first day, practice counting from 1 to 10, then go from 11 to 20, and the next day memorize the remaining tens (30, 40, 50, and so on).

   • Numbers from 1 to 10 in French are written as “un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf, dix” and pronounced “en (1), deu (2), trois (3), kyatr (4), senk (5), sis (6), set (7), whit (8), nef (9), dis (10) ”.
   • A list of numbers in French with pronunciation tips can be found here.

4. Memorize useful travel phrases. If you are traveling to an area where French is spoken, learn to ask helpful questions such as "Do you speak Russian?" or "Where is the restroom?" As in Russian, French has different words for the pronouns "you" (politely) and "you" (informally). When addressing a friend, say “tu,” and when addressing strangers and elders, use “vous” politely.

   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   Lorenzo Garriga is a native speaker and connoisseur of the French language. He has many years of experience as a translator, author and editor. Composer, pianist and traveler who has been wandering the world for over 30 years on a tight budget and with a backpack on his back.

   French translator and native speaker

   When traveling, it is always polite to know the phrases "Hello", "How are you" and "My name is ..."... At the same time, you should also know the phrase "Where is ...?", Which will be very useful in a new country. You will most likely need to find a restroom, hotel and other useful places.

   Memorize the French words "thank you" and "please." It's always wise to be polite when asking for directions or ordering at a restaurant. Remember that French can also be addressed as "you" and "you". Likewise, there is a polite and informal way of saying please.

   • The formal version is "s" il vous plait "(strong woo ple). For example, say" Excusez-moi, s "il vous plaît, parlez-vous russe?" (eskuze mua, sil vu ple, parle vu ryus), which translates as "I beg your pardon, do you speak Russian?"
   • A less formal version of the word "please" is "s" il te plait "(sil te ple). A friend can be asked" Je voudrais de l'eau, s "il te plait" means "Can I have some water, please?"
   • Merci means thank you. To say “Thank you very much” or “Thank you so much,” say “Merci beaucoup” (merci boku) or “Merci bien” (merci bien).
   • To say "You are always welcome," say "Je vous en prie" (jeo woo zan pri) - this is a polite phrase, or "De rien" (dé ryen), which translates as "not at all" and is less formal. ...

5. Learn to ask and answer the "How are you" question. Address the person with the phrase "Comment allez-vous?" (to command woo). This is a polite form. A less formal phrase sounds like "Comment vas-tu?" (command va tyu) or "Ça va?" (sa va).

   • The answer to this question can be “Très bien”, which means “very good”. You can also say "Pas mal" (pa mal), which translates as "not bad", or "Ça va" (sa va) - "Slowly."

6. Learn to talk about yourself. Learn to give your name, age, country of residence and ask people similar questions. To introduce yourself, say "Je m" appelle "(same mapel), which means" My name is. "

   • To find out a person's name, ask "Comment vous appelez-vous?" (Koman woo swim woo) for polite address or "Comment tu t" appelles? " (room tapel) in a less formal setting.
   • Ask “Quel âge as-tu” or more politely “Quel âge avez-vous” to find out the age of the person. Answer "J" ai 18 ans "(zhe diz uit an), which translates as" I am 18 years old. "
   • "Où habitez-vous" (u abite wu) and "Où habites-tu?" (for abit tu) translates as "Where do you live / Where do you live?" You can answer "J'habite à Moscou, mais je suis de Moldova" (jabit a moscu, me zhe sui de molova), which means "I live in Moscow, but I am from Moldova."

   How to improve your language skills

   1. Practice your pronunciation, especially the French "R" sound. Listen to native speakers and strive to imitate to learn how to form sounds in the throat, not in the front of the mouth. For example, in Russian the sound "P" is formed by the rattling of the tip of the tongue, while for French "R" the root of the tongue must be taken closer to the soft palate.

      Memorize the gender of words. As in Russian, in French all nouns and adjectives are either masculine or feminine. Many words with an e ending are feminine, but it's important to remember that there are many exceptions! The first thing to remember is that the gender of the adjective must match the gender of the noun.

      • In addition, if a noun is plural, then the adjective that describes it must also be plural. Use the phrase “Sam est petit” to say that the boy is Himself short. If the girls with the names Sam and Beth are both short, then say "Sam et Beth sont petites" (he and Beth sleep petite).
      • The form of the French article must also correspond to the gender and number. "Un" and "une" (yong and yun) are masculine and feminine indefinite articles. "Le", "la" and "les" (le, la, le) are masculine and feminine definite articles, as well as plural. If the word begins with a vowel, then the article is truncated to "l": "l'école" (lecol), which translates as "school."
      • If you are talking about yourself, then use the correct adjectives. For example, "Je suis lituanien" (je suis lituanien) is masculine, and "Je suis lituanienne" (je suis lituanien) is feminine.

   2. Learn to use auxiliary verbs. Using the verbs être (to be) and avoir (to have) is not always easy, but it is an important basic aspect of the French language. In French, auxiliary verbs are needed in phrases like "I'm hungry" and "I'm thirsty." For example, "J'ai faim" (zhe fem) and "J'ai soif" (zhe suaf) literally translate as "I have a hunger" and "I have a thirst."

      • To find out if a person is hungry, ask the question "Avez-vous faim?" (ave woo fem) or "As-tu faim?" (and bye fem). Replace “faim” with “soif” (suaf) to ask about thirst, or “sommeil” (sommei) to find out if the person wants to sleep.
      • The verb avoir always expresses states like hunger, thirst, and fatigue. The verb "être" (to be) is used with adjectives expressing gender and nationality.

   How to use effective teaching methods

   1. Memorize word lists daily or weekly. Make lists at your own pace. For example, use 10 new words or phrases every day or a word of the day on a calendar to build your vocabulary every day.

      • As you study, review past lists to refresh your memory, then move on to new material.
      • Make thematic lists such as food, body parts, or household items. If you are traveling in a French-speaking country, then the words for travel can be found here.

   2. Create flashcards to expand your vocabulary. Write the French word on one side and the translation on the other. Say the words out loud as you write. Check yourself or work with friends.

FRENCH, the native language of the vast majority of the population of France and the French-speaking regions of Belgium and Switzerland. These three territories are home to approx. 50 million, 4 million and 1 million francophone population. In several areas of France - Corsica, Brittany, Alsace, French Flanders and southern France - French is not the native language of the local population. French is the native language of approximately 6 million Canadians in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. It is spoken in the French colonies in the West Indies and in the Pacific Ocean and by about 600 thousand people in Haiti, a former French colony (until the beginning of the 19th century), where French became the state language. French remained as the official language in many former French colonies that gained independence after World War II: Guinea, Mauritania, Mali, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger, Benin, Togo, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic , Gabon, Congo and Madagascar, and the former Belgian colonies of Zaire, Rwanda and Burundi French is one of the six official languages ​​of the United Nations.

French belongs to the Romance group of languages, but occupies a special place in it, because, most likely, it has undergone a stronger Germanic (Frankish) influence than other Romance languages, as indicated by its very name. Originally only the language of the Ile-de-France region, consisting of Paris and the immediate vicinity, later, following the conquests of the Capetian kings, French spread over most of the territory of ancient Gaul. There are six important differences between French and other major Romance languages. 1) Latin combination of sounds ca gave in French cha which was once pronounced as ča, now - ša; e.g. Latin caballum gave in italian cavallo, in Spanish - caballo, and in French - cheval. Likewise, Latin ga changed in dža and then in ža. 2) Latin u gives in French ü ; e.g. Latin murum gave in italian muro, in Spanish - muro, and in French mur which is pronounced mür. 3) Latin final -a gave in French, which is usually not pronounced in modern language; for example, luna gave in italian luna, in Spanish - luna, and in French - lune. 4) Latin s before consonants gave in French h, which then disappeared, lengthening the preceding vowel, which began to be written with a circumflex; e.g. Latin festa gave in italian festa, in Spanish - fiesta, and in French - fête. 5) Latin nasal consonants in a position before another consonant merge in French with the preceding vowel, resulting in a nasalized vowel; e.g. Latin cantat gave in italian canta, in Spanish - canta, but in French - chante(pronounced šãt). 6) In French, the final consonant of a word is sometimes associated in pronunciation with the initial vowel of the next word - the phenomenon of the so-called liaison, for example, les enfants is pronounced lezãfã.

The French language was very influential throughout Western Europe, especially during the Middle Ages and in the 18th century. In the Middle Ages, it spread to Germany, Spain and especially Italy; as a result of the Norman conquest of England in 1066, it became the official language of the English kingdom for almost three centuries, the language of the court and the ruling classes. As a result, modern English has become a mixed language, consisting mainly of Old English and Old French elements. Due to the insular position of England and the comparative isolation of her life, French elements in English are surprisingly archaic and in most cases retain the pronunciation of the 11th century: words such as veil, point, feast, haste, quit, chamber, general, devout, flour.

During the Renaissance, the cultural supremacy of Italy led to the fact that the French language absorbed many hundreds of Italian words and forms that still make up an essential part of everyday French speech. No foreign language has had an influence on French comparable to that of the Italian language. The French language is inundated with words related to art, music, literature, good manners, politics, military science, banking and high culture in general; examples are: artisan, balcon, baldaquin, belvédère, fresque, courtisan, altesse, canon, corporal, cavalcade, soldat, banque, banqueroute, mascarade, carnaval, gazette, caprice, intrigue, adagio, sonate, fugue and arpège.

The French language has changed a lot in the time that has passed from the Old French period to the present day, and Old French is incomprehensible to a modern Frenchman who does not have the appropriate training. Major changes can be demonstrated by comparing Old French elements in English with modern French. 1) Old French affricates ts(in the letter - c), tš(in the letter - ch) and dž(in the letter - g, j) lose the locking element; 2) s disappears before consonants, and a circumflex is written above the vowel in places where it disappears; 3) combination éi consistently turns into ói, oe, oé, oá, uá; 4) ue changes in ö ; 5) ou goes into eu and then in ö ; 6) nasal consonants in position before other consonants merge with the preceding vowel; 7) e usually goes into, and then disappears, thus reducing the number of syllables in the word. Over the past ten centuries, French has changed significantly more than all other Romance languages.

The first written monument of the French language is dated 842 text Strasbourg vows, written down by Nitard in a certain French dialect (it is not exactly established where exactly it was spoken). In the Middle Ages, there was a rich literature in French.

The Germanic influence was certainly much stronger in France than in any other Romanesque country. Use words like honte"shame", haïr"hate", choisir"choose", effrayer"frighten", laid"Ugly" hâte"rush", garder"keep", blesser"Hurt" guetter"guess", bru"Daughter-in-law" saisir"Grab" gage"pledge", fauteuil"armchair", blême"pale", bleu"blue", joli“Beautiful” does not show parallels in Italian, Spanish or Portuguese, where words of Latin origin are used instead. Many of the Germanic words found in Italian and Spanish entered there from France in French form; eg Italian giardino, loggia and garantire.

The French language uses the usual twenty-five-letter Latin alphabet; letter w used only when writing foreign words in a foreign language spelling. This alphabet is complemented by a sign called cedille ( ç ), and three diacritics that are written over vowels: accent (accent aigu), grave (accent grave) and circumflex (accent circonflexe). Modern French spelling, like English, can serve as a reminder of the history of the language, since its development stopped in the 12th century. and it does not reflect the subsequent significant changes that the French pronunciation underwent. Therefore, it often turns out - as, for example, in the case with words point, saint, chamber, quit- that English pronunciation, being much more conservative than French, more closely matches the modern French spelling of these words than the pronunciation of modern French.

I am happy to state that we are living in a fantastic time! Time for communication without borders! Globalization, which is in full swing on the planet, and modern technologies, especially the Internet, not only allow us to communicate with anyone and at any distance, but also give each of us a weighty "kick" in realizing the need to learn new languages. Of course, in the modern world it is possible to live with knowledge of only one language, but every year it becomes more difficult to do this, and it is not solid already ...

And now you have come to the conclusion that you need to start learning French (of your own free will or under the yoke of circumstances (fell in love with a Frenchwoman)) I assure you - in any case, you will not be disappointed! Indeed, in addition to the fact that it is one of the most beautiful languages ​​in the world, it is also one of the 5 most widespread languages. Along with English, everyone speaks French five continents the world.

How to start learning French.

Where to start studying? Oddly enough, start with your own THINKING. Most people who want to master a new language are faced with the fear of failure in learning, many believe that not everyone is given languages, and that only a select few can be polyglots. So, I declare with full responsibility that these are groundless fears (if not to say that they are complete nonsense)! Language is a skill! None of us are born speaking this or that language. We learn this in the process of life. And depending on the environment in which we were born, we master this or that language. Accordingly, if we succeeded once and we perfectly speak, read, write, think, for example, in Russian, then we will definitely be able to repeat our path and speak another language, for example, French. You must be sure internally that you CAN SPEAK OTHER LANGUAGES !!! This faith will determine your success. Of course, it will not be easy, since learning a new language is a job, and no small job. But you should know that you can achieve your goals if you just constantly study and do not shy away from completing tasks. The main thing in this business is to remember why you started all this, and then everything will work out.

Now let's move on to 10 helpful tips to help you learn French.

Advice№ 1. Determine who you are by the type of perception.

Who are you: audial (you memorize better by ear), visual (trust your vision), kinesthetic (sensitive experience, sensations are important to you) or discrete (perceive the world around you with the help of logic). In the first lesson, I always ask my students which way of memorizing is closer to them. The entire subsequent method of presenting the material and the learning process will depend on this.

If you've studied languages ​​before, think about what worked for you and what didn't. If you find it difficult to attribute yourself to one or another type of perception, you can take the test on the vast expanses of the Internet. Or perhaps you, like me, are of a mixed type and for you, like me, it is important to hear, and see, and feel the material, to think logically.

Advice№ 2. Start with phonetics and reading rules.

The phonetics of the French language is quite complex. Despite the fact that the pronunciation of most letters of the French alphabet is similar to the pronunciation of letters from the Russian alphabet, our languages ​​are historically related, and we use many borrowed words from the French language in our speech (yes, don't be surprised! You already know something) however, pronunciation of words and whole sentences can be difficult. French speech flows, there are many linkages and connections between words. Listen to French speech and repeat (this method is especially good for audiences). Listen to native speakers (audio and video can be found online) to get an idea of ​​speech speed and intonation.

Work on your articulation, do the exercises in front of the mirror. This is important for correct pronunciation, your rate of speech will depend on it, and this so that the interlocutor, hearing your speech, understands exactly what you mean. The Francophones themselves actively use facial expressions and articulation in the conversation.

Learn the reading rules. I warn you right away - this is not easy and will take some time. The peculiarity of the French language is that words are written with a large number of letters, and are pronounced with only a few sounds. For example: beaucoup (many) is written in as many as eight letters and is pronounced "boku".

Therefore, knowing the rules of reading will help you to read the words correctly, pronounce them correctly, and as a result, enrich your vocabulary with the help of books. AND read, read, read and read everything in French! (This is especially good for visuals, and audiences can listen to audiobooks) Fiction, scientific, magazines, newspapers, brochures, even advertising ... This will make your speech richer, richer.

Advice№ 3. Practice grammar!

"Grammar" may sound boring, but it's incredibly important. Agree, we ourselves are pleased to communicate with a foreigner when he speaks Russian correctly. So for the French, grammatically correct speech is pleasant and important. And in order to speak correctly, you must understand the structure of the sentence, how to use verbs in the present, past and future tenses, know the gender of nouns and the use of adjectives. If you belong to discretes, then you will love the grammar. This is pure logic!

If you are a beginner francophone, here is my practical advice. Remember, in a French sentence, the subject always comes first, the predicate comes second, and then the complement. For example: Je vais à l'école (I'm going to school). And this is very cool, because with a small vocabulary (at first), you can clearly express your thoughts in short sentences. For example, introduce yourself: Bonjour! Je suis Tatiana Voronkova. Je suis russe. Je suis professeur. J'aime le français. (Hello! I am Tatiana Voronkova. I am Russian. I am a teacher. I love French.)

Advice№ 4. 15 minutes, but every day!

I find a systematic approach to learning French very important. Let 15 minutes a day (that's not much), but devote the whole day to the language. Learn new words and phrases, grammar rules, practice pronunciation, or just read something every day. Plus, at least twice a week, devote an hour to French! It will definitely bear fruit. And in a month you will be able to speak in simple sentences, and in 5-6 months you will notice significant progress.

Advice№ 5. Internet to help you!

Do you keep your phone or tablet out of your hands because you are simply "stuck" in social networks? Or are you a fan of video hosting? Or do you like to read e-books, magazines, newspapers? Great! All this will help you in learning French!

Customize your primary language on social media as soon as possible "Français"... You already know what is located and where, and you can practice the language in practice. For example: Quoi de neuf? (What's new?) In the news feed, or En ligne (online). You can also find French-speaking friends on social media and communicate with them both verbally and in writing.

On Youtube you will find tons of useful videos in French.

Well, we have already said about books: look for your favorite reading matter in French (in electronic form it is easier to do this nowadays). Or find French children's books on the Internet. As a rule, they are with bright illustrations and simple texts - what is needed for a beginner-francophonist.

You will also find a lot of French-speaking news channels and applications on the Internet. I especially recommend the TV5Monde channel. Here you will learn both world news and interesting programs on various topics, but what is especially important - this channel will help you learn French in the Apprendre le Français section (for all levels of language proficiency).

You will also find wonderful electronic dictionaries on the Internet. For example: Multitran, Academician, Yandex dictionary, etc.

And these are all free resources!

Plus, of course, you can find various online foreign language schools where people study on Skype. For example, Learning French at this school via Skype is practical and effective because you can learn French anytime, anywhere with a personal teacher. Learning your favorite language at home on the couch with a cup of tea is not a pleasant experience?

Advice№ 6. Watch films with French subtitles.

French cinema is rich in masterpieces! Indulge in the pleasure of watching French films in the original. This advice will especially appeal to kinesthetics and visuals, but people with other types of perception, I'm sure, will also be happy to enjoy a movie. I recommend that you start with famous cartoons. Be sure to watch films with subtitles. But with subtitles in French! It is important. Cast aside the fear that you will not understand anything. You will understand! Based on the context of the picture, plot, knowledge of a certain number of words and expressions. You don't need to translate every word to understand the main meaning. But you will immerse yourself in the French-speaking environment for a while. And reading subtitles and correlating them with what you hear will help you understand how the words you read are pronounced.

For beginners, it will also be fun and useful to watch the educational series Extra Francais - about three friends in Paris who help the fourth to speak French. In this video, the quality is not very good, but it is the only one with subtitles. Try to download the entire series (or watch VK).

Advice№ 7. Learn phrases, not words.

Try to memorize not single words, but phrases, phrases and sentences. Learn a few phrases in order to say hello and goodbye correctly, ask for help, ask something, give information about yourself, etc.

For example:

Say hello: Bonjour (Hello), Bonsoir (Good evening), Salut (Hey), Comment ça va?(How are you?).

Introduce yourself: Je suis .. . (I am ...) or Je m'appelle ... (My name is…).

Say goodbye: Au revoir(Goodbye), à bientôt (see you later), Permettez — moi de faire mes adieux! (Let me say goodbye!)

Forms of appeal:

Excusez— moi! Pardon! (Sorry!),

Excusez— moi de vous déranger (Excuse for troubling),

Pouvez — vous me dire… (Can you tell me ...),

Puis — je vous demander? (May I ask you?),

Pardon, pourriez— vous me dire où se trouve ... (Sorry, could you tell me where to be ...).

Parlez lentement, s‘ il vous plait (Please speak slowly.)

Je necomprends pas (I do not understand)

Rourriez— vous m‘ aider? (Can you help me?).

Learning phrases like these will serve you well, for example, when traveling in a French-speaking country, if you need to know something or ask for help.

Advice№ 8. Speak!

The best way to learn a language is to speak it! All the knowledge you have gained - words, grammar, verb conjugation, hundreds of exercises performed - is nothing without speaking practice. If you don't use them and speak French, you will, unfortunately, quickly forget everything. Language integrates into us when we interact with other people during a conversation.

And while it is easy and pleasant to speak, most people fear this step. This is the fear of making mistakes, speaking incorrectly, not understanding the interlocutor, hearing criticism of the pronunciation ...

But you need to overcome those fears and just start talking. You have to understand that it is not a problem to make a mistake, it is a problem not even to try ... And as the heroine of one famous film said: "You blurt out, but blurt out confidently!" Believe me, if you make a mistake, the interlocutor will help you correct it, and the correct pronunciation will be even better deposited in your head. Accept any criticism of pronunciation with gratitude and find out how to speak correctly, build a sentence, which word is more appropriate here. This will help you improve your speech.

Speak French even if you feel uncomfortable about not knowing much. Everyone starts out like that, but over time you will improve. If you do not understand what your interlocutor is saying, ask him to repeat and speak more slowly. If you don't understand the meaning of a word, ask what it means. For example: Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire? (What does it mean?). This way, by the way, you will better learn and remember the meaning of new words.

You ask, where can you find a person who is ready to communicate with you in French? On the Internet ... On various forums and sites. And of course, the teachers are happy to communicate with you!

Think in French. Speak French out loud when you are alone. Comment on everything you do. If you wash dishes or drive a car, talk about it. Pay attention to your intonation and pronunciation. Listen to yourself.

Chip №9. Praise yourself for every success!

Be sure to praise yourself for every success and progress in your French language learning experience. Most people in the world recognize how difficult it is to start learning a foreign language. Some never take this step ... And you are great! You need to, and you do. Even if you learn a language solely for your own pleasure (as I did), you do it for yourself, you develop, and it is worthy of praise.

The French adore their language, their culture, and are very proud of their history. They are very sensitive to the fact that you are trying to learn their language. They are usually patient and kind. And most likely they will praise you for your zeal, too.

And positive emotions will nourish you for the next round of language acquisition, give you strength.

Chip№ 10. Don't back down!

When you start learning French from scratch, you will, of course, make constant progress at first. Enjoy these moments. Then, after a certain amount of time, you might get the impression that there is no progress and you are at the same level for several months! Be patient. Keep working. You will definitely reach a new level of knowledge. The main thing is not to retreat and go forward!

LF School Warns: Language Learning Is Addictive!

about the author

Veronica

Teaching languages ​​is my life, I can’t do anything else, and I don’t want to do anything. in 2016 I decided to create the LF School in order to gather a wonderful team of professional teachers and share with each other the experience and effective secrets in teaching, so that the lessons in our school will become necessary for you and bring the desired result. I will be very glad to see you among the students of our school, or among my personal students!