It has been ages since I wrote here. It’s another weekend and I thought I’d write an update. I still have my French word flashcards in my purse but have not had the chance to practice nor the opportunity to add new words. The book I meant to help in my study of the French language remains unopened on my kitchen counter.
I’ll try and put some effort into getting this moving soon. I promise.
Studying the French language seems to be a sticky subject between the better half and me. So I’m doing it on my own. He surprisingly handed me a book which I will try and tackle this weekend — French in 24 Hours (or something to this effect) and I will give a review when I manage to open the book and read it earnestly.
I am carrying a dozen small flashcards with the first batch of French phrases/words I can start memorizing. I am committed to adding at least 5 at a time to increase my practice vocabulary. I know how to say “Hello” and “Goodbye” and introduce myself now.
I remember how we learned elementary Spanish in my senior year in High School at St. Paul College of Quezon City, and then for four semesters in college at the College of Arts & Sciences in UP Manila. It is as if I am doing the same thing again, with the only difference being that this one, I am doing out of choice and not as part of an academic requirement.
Alan heard me saying phrases which, according to him, he hasn’t heard the French use. I had to explain to him that I am not merely studying conversational French but am actually studying the language. Conversational Usage will come later when I have my words, tenses and sentences right. To do that, I have to take into account the nuances and not just what is commonly used in the French language.
I guess he is adapting a different approach to learning the language. He is doing it, after all, as a business necessity. I am doing it as a personal pursuit. I am also trying to go about it in a more academic fashion — much as I would tackle it as part of formal class.
In any case, I feel like I’m off to a good start. When all else fails, there is the Google translator to help me along.
I have accessed and printed out two sites basically: Free French Lessons from FWP and The French Language Course created by Jacques Leon which I find to be the more interesting of the two. At this point, though, it’s too early for me to give an evaluation of either site, but suffice it to say that I find the sites very helpful.
As a true beginner in learning to speak French, I am grateful for such resources which give not only written text but audio files as well, because to learn a language, one must hear the correct pronunciation. So I’ll keep you posted on how this new project of mine goes.
