Where can I learn speak French?

[DateMasamune]

All my big bosses are French and a large portion of our clients are from Quebec and France and former French colonies. As such, I just wanted to ask where I can learn speak French ...

... with some girls of course ... LOL

 

[baltimoron]

Lonely Planet Pocket French Phrase Book

I remember trying to speed-learn French for my first trip to Montreal. I thought I'd need it there.

When I did try to speak French with Quebecois there, it turned into a disaster and I ended up sounding like Clark Griswald in National Lampoon's European Vacation.

On later trips to Montreal, I gave up on the French and just spoke English everywhere, just letting everyone know that I'm a dumb American tourist.

For me at least, nothing can replace a brick and mortar classroom with a human instructor. Online courses, Learn French in Your Car, CDs, pocket French books, etc. are OK, but they don't stick.

I would recommend taking a class at a community college and using the language everyday. Talk to other people, talk to yourself in both English and French; until it becomes second nature.

I'm actually thinking of taking a French class at a community college myself. Some of the SPs in Montreal can't speak English, so I'd like to be able to talk to them.

 

[danmand]

"Where can I learn speak French?"

Why don't you start with english. (Sorry, could not resist.)

 

[DateMasamune]

"Where can I learn speak French?"

Why don't you start with english. (Sorry, could not resist.)

So how would you re-phrase it?


BTW, "English" should be capitalized ...

 

[danmand]

Touché!

 

[anon1]

"Where can I learn TO speak French?"

 

[ersa3]

Alliance Française de Toronto

Try the Alliance Française de Toronto

http://www.alliance-francaise.ca/index.html

 

[stinkynuts]

http://french.meetup.com/363/


The above link takes you to a site of a french club that meets to improve their French. It's a great way to meet new people (girls) as well.

I have taken several classes at the Alliance Francais, and recommend the place. Instructors are, for the most part, friendly and competent. Classes are small, and fees are reasonable. You could also meet people there as well.

It's important to know French. After all, it is the co-official language of Canada.

 

[WhOiSyOdAdDy?]

You could immerse yourself in the culture and learn french that way... if you do this, go to France as they do not speak proper french in quebec.

 

[Jamaica-luvr]

I would have to think a reasonable argument could be made to make Mandarin or Cantonese Canada's second official language..if the decision was based on actual population figures....

Why is the tail always wagging the dog in this country?

 

[irlandais9000]

Well, Chinese is the second most language in Toronto, but definitely not in Canada as a whole.

 

[WhaWhaWha]

Chinese is in fact the dominant language on the planet. Earth's mother tongue.

 

[baltimoron]

English

Chinese is in fact the dominant language on the planet. Earth's mother tongue.

That may be, but for practical purposes (i.e. international commerce), you need a language that is easy to understand and learn.

Chinese is notoriously difficult to learn, and for a growing vocabulary, it becomes too burdensome to have to constantly memorize pictograms, and distinguish between minute differences in pronunciation. Even the Chinese use English for new terms, such as those related to the Internet and cell phones. I do speak a little Chinese, BTW.

Until someone makes that Universal Translator thing from Star Trek, English is the best we've got for a globally accepted language.

 

[danmand]

Chinese is in fact the dominant language on the planet. Earth's mother tongue.

Except that there is no one chinese language. I wonder how the numbers look when you count the different chinese languages against english etc.

 

[DateMasamune]

Try the Alliance Française de Toronto

http://www.alliance-francaise.ca/index.html

Hey, thanks! That really helped. Good thing is, it is really affordable and close to where I work and the schedule is good.

Hope I get a hottie French teacher

 

[DateMasamune]

Except that there is no one chinese language. I wonder how the numbers look when you count the different chinese languages against english etc.

Yeah, the Chinese economy is undeniably going to be the world's largest with lots of money to be made ... but do you want to be dealing with those Chinese Mainlanders? I can't stand them. Hong Kongnese and Taiwanese and those who have lived long enough overseas are good, but not Mainlanders. I don't even want to deal withthem not even engage in a business partnership. I personally have been yelled at by my manager for "referring" Mainlander clients to other collegues but I just can't stand them.

 

[WhOiSyOdAdDy?]

Yeah, the Chinese economy is undeniably going to be the world's largest with lots of money to be made ... but do you want to be dealing with those Chinese Mainlanders? I can't stand them. Hong Kongnese and Taiwanese and those who have lived long enough overseas are good, but not Mainlanders. I don't even want to deal withthem not even engage in a business partnership. I personally have been yelled at by my manager for "referring" Mainlander clients to other collegues but I just can't stand them.

You are racist

 

[mandrill]

Once you have developed a basic facility in French, try listening to French tv. There are 4 or 5 channels available in basic cable. Talk shows and drama use a lot of slang and slurred pronounciation and are the toughest. The news and documentaries are narrated in formal, carefully pronounced french and are a lot easier to follow.

It's a good, free way to improve your knowledge of the language.

 

[lomotil]

All my big bosses are French and a large portion of our clients are from Quebec and France and former French colonies. As such, I just wanted to ask where I can learn speak French ...

... with some girls of course ... LOL

DateMasume, First you must learn to speak English correctly What is your

first language?

 

[ersa3]

huh?

To quote 'WhOiSyOdAdDy?' :



"...Go to France as they do not speak proper french in quebec." [/QUOTE]



... We do speak 'proper French' in Quebec... Gosh... I cannot believe I just read this... Wow. Je parle francais aussi bien que n'importe qui d'autre de cette meme province, ou de cet autre pays.