Salut! Parlez-vous Français? No? Then you want to make sure you learn with the best courses that are available!
Speaking and learning French can be a challenge, but it is one that can be richly rewarding when accomplished. Individuals who manage to do so feel a sense of pride when they are able to communicate with others, especially when learning a language that is used as widely as French is.
According to data, approximately 321 million people worldwide use the language, with it being the official tongue across 32 states and governments. This makes it the 5th most widely spoken dialect globally and the fourth most used on the internet. Naturally, these figures provide enough motivation for some to take up the language.
For others, its global use provides numerous other opportunities that could potentially benefit them greatly. For instance, some may be able to use it to further their own personal lives in regard to being able to visit a French-speaking country and communicate with locals easily when on holiday or perhaps after moving abroad permanently. In business, being able to speak the language could help to build new business relationships and help companies to enter international markets that may not have been accessible in the past. Of course, globalization has made it easier than before, but the ability to speak the language of the desired market can be a significant help.
What are the best ways to learn French?
If you are among those that are looking to learn French for the very first time, or perhaps look to brush up and further expand your knowledge of the language, then there are a number of different types of courses that can be explored as a possibility. These include:
- Online courses
- Traditional classes
- In-person courses
- Immersion courses
Each of these provide a number of pros and cons that each learner needs to work out. As we each learn differently as individuals, one option may be better suited than another. Hence, why the wide range of options available can actually be a good thing.
Online French Courses
With technology continuing to improve at a rapid rate, and access to the internet becoming greater than it ever was, online language learning has taken off at an incredible pace. Learners are now able to take online French classes and enjoy a number of benefits that other types of courses are unable to provide. Personalized lessons and detailed instant feedback from a native-speaking private tutor are among the top perks that can be enjoyed when using an online course, although there are courses that are robotic and provide detailed feedback instantaneously, too.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of online courses is that they are flexible and can offer a level of convenience that other types do not. Learners are able to access an online platform whenever they want and wherever they can, thus allowing them to pick when the best time for them to learn French is. This can help to enhance the learning that is experienced, as it means they are more likely to be motivated to study and learn, as opposed to when they are “forced” because of a time that has been allocated to them. Language learning is hard and requires a lot of dedication and effort, which is why motivation is key. Online courses can be perfect in this regard due to their flexible nature.
Also, when learning online, students are able to use a range of interactive materials, which can help to engage them and encourage learning. Access to videos, music, audio, or even interactive games can make the learning experience more fun, thus potentially making it easier to take onboard knowledge.
Traditional classroom learning
Although it might be considered an outdated method for many, given what technology has the ability to do, traditional classroom courses can still be a highly effective way for those who wish to learn. These environments are the norm for so many as it is likely that language learning will have been conducted in a classroom during an individual’s time in education. Therefore, a familiar setting can help motivate students to tap into their brains and start learning new words and phrases.
A classroom can also encourage learning as individuals know they are there for a reason. Learning while at home can provide distractions; being in a classroom would eliminate these. Students are able to socialize and communicate with others with this type of course, while they are also likely to have a native speaker as their teacher. They can provide face-to-face teaching, as well as feedback while offering a more native and personalized teaching experience.
In-person courses
Traditional classroom courses may not always be the most popular method for some, with these classes often being busy with numerous students at one given time. However, for those that like to have an in-person language learning experience, then it is possible to have these with a private tutor or in a smaller group of people. You can speak and learn French with an individual outside of a classroom – such as at home or in a public space – and still enjoy numerous benefits; one of which is a more personalized experience. The tutor will have more time dedicated to an individual’s learning in this scenario, as they would not have to handle multiple students at one time. A more relaxed learning environment can also be achieved, while feedback can be more detailed and personal.
Immersion courses
An immersion course can be a little harder to find, but they are available for those who want to thrust themselves fully into learning French, such as study abroad courses or living with a host family abroad. Given their nature, they are very intensive and can last for a period of time, but they have the aim to help you learn the dialect a lot quicker than other course types. Immersion courses might not be for everyone, but if you have the time to spend, then they can be extremely worthwhile.
The Bottom Line
There are numerous French course types available for learners to pick and choose from. Each of them offer their own pros and cons, though, so it is important to work out which option suits the individual’s needs best.
