FR 002 Conseils pour l'apprentissage du français

1.  Il faut étudier le français tous les jours.  You must spend at least 30 minutes a day practicing French. Suggestions:  • study vocabulary with flash cards • complete the written and oral homework in the cahier • work with the Vis à vis cdrom • visit the website below and practice • study with a friend, set up weekly study sessions: converse in French, quiz each other on vocab, etc.  

2.  Apprenez le vocabulaire par coeur.  Memorize new vocabulary.  Practice speaking the words.  Use the Vis à vis cdrom's talking dictionary • Listen to the Vis à vis audio cd (or mp3 files) and do extra listening exercises.  

3.  La conjugaison des verbes:  When you learn a new verb, learn how to conjugate it in the present tense and the passé composé.  Write out verb conjugations for practice.  Check yourself using the verb chart in the back of the Vis à vis textbook (Appendix B).  

4.  Parler français!  Speak French to your dog, cat, child, parents, imaginary friend...  Speak French at the grocery store, the Mall.  Label the objects in your room in French.  Watch French movies and try turning the subtitles off now and then.  Every moment of practice and exposure to French will help your proficiency.  

5.  Parler au professeur:  If you try the above and get frustrated, come talk to me.  There is also a French tutor this semester.  You can sign up for free tutoring at: http://www.aa.psu.edu/lrc/applpeer.htm or see me and I will help you get in touch with the tutor.  

Some Useful Web Links

• Vis à vis Online Learning Center (http://www.mhhe.com/visavis3)
This website goes with our textbook.  For access to premium content, enter the registration code on the card bound inside the front cover of your book.

• Le Français interactif (http://www.laits.utexas.edu/fi/)
This correlates to another beginning French textbook, but there are lots of listening exercises and the material is roughly the same.

• Un dictionnaire visuel (http://www.csdm.qc.ca/stejarc/dictionnaire/dico.htm)
Click on the French word and a picture pops up.

• Acquiring French Vocabulary (http://www.utm.edu/stafflinks/globeg/vocab.shtml)
A list of over 30 website devoted to helping people learn French vocabulary.

• French at About.com (http://french.about.com/)
TONS of resources for learning French.  Check out the French Audio lab!
(http://french.about.com/library/pronunciation/bl-audiolab.htm)