There are two groups of people who take French lessons in France: those who are doing it for business reasons or combining it with a holiday, and those who suddenly find themselves in France with a less than adequate command of the language. If you’re among the second lot I sympathize, a couple of years ago I was there too. The good news is there are relatively painless ways for you to get a handle on the French language quickly!

For me, it was the chance to buy a property in France that I just couldn’t miss. I’d been kind of thinking about it for some time without any definite plans when one of those “too good to miss” opportunities came up. I did have some French, but not much, and suddenly there I was – in at the deep end!

I know that a lot of people have done the same as me. Not too smart maybe, but when the chances come you have to grab them. For others, it’s sudden job change. Quite often they find themselves amongst other English speakers from a work perspective but if you want to integrate and really benefit from the wonderful French culture you’re going need French lessons.

I’m sure there are other reasons for looking for French lessons in France, but the advice I’d give would be the same.

The first would be the face to face approach. Visit your local tourist information office and see what they can offer. Even if you speak no French at all, there’s almost always someone who can speak English and help you. Many areas encourage English speakers by providing French language lessons and in a lot of areas there are both large expat groups who can help and various clubs and associations, either expat or expat and French, who promote communal events. These let you mix with French people in your region whilst still giving the support of the English speaking expat community. This takes away the stress you might otherwise feel trying to speak to French people and we all learn better when we’re not pressured.

The second approach is by using the superb tool you’re looking at now. Your PC is possibly the best aid to learning French there has ever been and even if you’re a relative newcomer to your computer you can take advantage of astonishingly good pc-based learning systems that can have you confident and comfortable in French in no time at all.

There are many different French courses available that come on CD or better yet, can be downloaded straight to your computer. The best ones have games you play on screen, interactive tests and challenges, written texts to accompany your learning and French MP3s so you can hear exactly what the language sounds like. What’s more, with a CD or MP3 player you can then take the lessons with you in the car or walking around so you can take every opportunity to learn.

So your French lessons in France take two forms. Learning at home where you can relax and do it any time you feel like, and learning face to face with French people, perhaps while sharing a glass of wine. Sounds great, doesn’t it, and you’ll be amazed how generous and helpful the French are if you try to speak their language – even if you don’t do it brilliantly at first!

Learning English online is an effective way to improve your English. But with any type of learning you need to be prepared. This blog will give you advice and tips on how to get the most out of your online lessons.

What you need

A computer, a good internet connection and a headset are the bare minimum of what you will need to take classes online. A web camera is also pretty important. Most online classes are taught using Skype, so if you don’t have it already downloading this for free is a good idea. Your teacher will be able to tell you exactly what you need to take classes online.

Make sure everything is set up

This is an obvious point but also an important one. Make sure that your computer is freshly turned on, that everything is plugged in correctly and that you have tested the connection. With Skype you can do this with a test call. Doing this before the class means that you will be ready when the lesson starts.

Take the classes somewhere quiet

Get away from everything that may be going on in your home. Trying to listen and participate in English classes is very difficult when there is noise around you. So find a quiet room and make sure that no one disturbs you whilst you are taking your lesson.

Come prepared

Do your homework and exercises in good time before the class. If you have been sent an article by your tutor read this carefully and underline anything that you don’t understand. Reading it out loud before the class is great practice and it will make it easier for when you do it again in the class. Use the article sent or any newspaper article, magazine article or even this blog and read it out loud slowly, making sure that each word is pronounced correctly. Then read it again so that the article flows. Also write down any questions that you have so that you don’t forget them when the class starts.

Understand what is being taught

When grammar or anything else is being taught make sure that you understand it. You won’t need to practice it at this time, just make sure that everything is clear. If you don’t understand what is being taught ask your teacher to explain it again.

It is also advisable to try and do some background reading on what is going to be taught next. For example, if the next lesson is on the past simple do some starter exercises so that you make yourself aware of what is going to come up.

Conversation

Every class is an opportunity to practice your English speaking with a native and qualified tutor. Try to allow the conversation to flow, listening and talking in a natural way. This is your chance to talk English without worrying about too many mistakes. The teacher should note the mistakes and revisit them at a later time.

Relax

Come to class feeling relaxed and excited. Language learning should be enjoyable this is especially true for online classes. Come into the class motivated and excited about learning English. You will be able to get more out of the class this way.

After the lesson

After the class do something different. And then within a couple of days review what was taught in the class. Try and do any exercises or homework after the review so that you revisit what was taught twice before your next class.

Once you have met the woman of your dreams, and you have decided to bring her to America, there are some practical things that you can do while you are waiting for her to arrive.

One thing is for her to learn as much English as she can before she comes. It is one of the best things you can do for her while you are waiting for the fiancé visa paperwork to be processed.

First of all, it is going to be a lot cheaper for you to give her private English lessons in Russia than it is in America.

English lessons usually can be arranged for two to three dollars per hour. My wife took three two-hour private lessons per week.

That worked out to be about twelve to fifteen dollars per week or fifty to sixty dollars per month.

That is much less expensive than one on one English lessons in America. My wife supplemented her private lessons with group lessons a couple of nights per week.

I recommend that you call your fiancé on the telephone a minimum of two to three times per week during the time you are waiting for the fiancé visa to be processed in order to keep your relationship strong.

The phone calls will reinforce what she learns in her English classes.

If she doesn’t speak very much English at first, speak very slowly, using simple words. Use the electronic translator. Spell the words for her she doesn’t know.

Be patient. You will be surprised at how fast her English improves over the waiting period for the visa to processed.

The telephone calls will keep your relationship alive during that agonizing waiting period.

The English lessons enroll her into the reality that her life is going to change soon. It helps her to get through the hardest period the wait for the visa to be processed.

The hardest period is going to be the period from the time you propose to her and when she actually comes to America.

Approximately forty percent of Fiancé Visa applications fall by the wayside. That is because the couples did not have the resolve to see it through to the end, or they got lazy about completing the necessary paperwork .

You have to find a way to keep the spark alive. You can’t let the romance die because of lack of attention.

By you paying for her English lessons, you let her know that there is a reason for her to learn a new language she is going to live in a new country. You are showing her you care about her.

By telephoning her on a regular basis, you keep that romantic spark alive.

I guarantee you that if you do not make the effort to call her frequently or prepare her for her new life by enrolling her in English lessons, you are taking the risk that your spark will die.

The more English she knows before she gets to America, the easier it is going to be for her to make the transition to life in a new country. It will help to reduce culture shock.

Melinda, a Senior at Loyola University in Chicago, was in the top 25% of her class. However she found herself in the Dean’s Office, pondering if she would graduate by Spring. What was the problem? Spanish! Melinda needed to fulfill 6 hours of Foreign Language to get her degree. She had enrolled in Spanish three times, only to drop the course. “I didn’t take foreign language in high school, so I had no foundation.” Melinda tried tutors but that didn’t help. “I’d be okay up until the 3rd week, after which the Professors would conduct the course entirely in Spanish!” Melinda had to drop the classes, so they wouldn’t affect her GPA.

College Spanish classes were so humiliating for Melinda, it made her sick. She says when the Professor asked questions in Spanish, others students would respond back without hesitation. However when he got to her there would always be an awkward silence, because she didn’t know. “He could have been talking Greek and I wouldn’t have known!” Melinda says sometimes she’d hear other Students sigh during the silence. “Class was such an humiliating experience, I’d actually become ill before going.” Melinda put off retaking Spanish as long has she could. Now she only had 2 semesters left and couldn’t graduate if she didn’t complete both Spanish I and II consecutively.

Melinda was about to cry, before the Dean told her this was a common problem. Spanish and Algebra were the biggest culprits for College Seniors not graduating on time. Students procrastinate like everyone else and often put the toughest classes off until their Senior year. Unfortunately when they can’t pass, it delays their graduation. The Dean told her that Online Spanish Lessons had helped a lot of students graduate on time. He wrote down some recommendations and gave them to her.

Melinda hurried home and looked up his suggestions. “I thought Online Spanish lessons were just some cheap e-books thrown together with audio, boy was I wrong!” She says that some of the courses were highly reputable, even affiliated with ACTFL, the American Council On the Teaching Of Foreign Languages. The online technology that made up the courses were equally impressive, even Award-winning! If Melinda wanted to learn a 3rd language, some of the programs offered French, German, Arabic and more!

Months later, Melinda couldn’t be happier. Online Spanish Lessons helped her sail through both Spanish I and II! “I had totally given up hope before. I wouldn’t have graduated without the help of Online Spanish Lessons!” Melinda also says the Online Spanish lessons landed her the first job she interviewed for. “Turns out the employer wanted someone who was bilingual and I was the only candidate who knew Spanish!” Melinda called her Dean after she got the job and thanked him for everything. “I would recommend Online Spanish Lessons to anyone struggling with foreign language. They were a life saver!”

When we want something, we want it now. Learning French should be no exception to the rule. Americans love maximum results with minimal effort. We live by the motto, “time is money”, and with good reason. We cram so many activities into our schedules, our time is important. Est-ce que tu parles francais? (Do you speak French?) You will soon. The following suggestions are a few ways to work learning French into your busy day.

1. Tour de France

Take a trip to dreamlike Paris. This may be a real arm-twisting suggestion, but the fastest way to learn French is to immerse yourself in the language. Eavesdrop on strangers’ conversations in picturesque cafés, all in the name of education. Wander the streets of Paris, strike up conversation with locals and in no time you’ll perfect the throaty vocals of French. As Neil Simon said, “Give your mind a chance to travel through foreign languages.”

2. Make it Movie Night

Head to your local movie store or order on your next Netflix a movie in French. Some Blockbuster suggestions: “Amelie”, “Chocolate” with Johnny Depp, and “The Dreamlife of Angels” are a few internationally successful French movies. Sit back and enjoy a flick in the comfort of your home while learning to train your ear and repeating what you hear. Soon enough you’ll connaître les ficelles?(know the ropes). Control the urge to put on the subtitles or a flick with dubbing because it’ll kill the experience.

3. Explore Your Surroundings | Make Friends

If you live in a metropolitan city, you can easily find French-speaking communities. Take a chance and practice your French by meeting new people while experiencing a beautiful culture. Check out local wine tasting events and French restaurants. Search the Internet, local bulletin boards, and your local university to find language exchange programs. If possible, join a conversation group. The more exposure you receive, the faster you’ll learn and in the process make friends. Faire d’une Pierre deux coups (To kill two birds with one stone.)

4. Sing in French

Hunt down some French CDs at your local store or online. Look on the inside liner and check out the lyrics. Read along with the music and in no time you’ll be belting out French with a perfect accent. Everyone will think you’ve gone bananas or dvenir dingue (in French).

5. Francophone Your Life

Grab a memo pad and label everything in your house. Deck the halls, kitchen, and bedroom, even your bulldog in French labels. Your brain will begin associating the images and words and it’ll eventually become natural.

6. Go Play.

Make a list of your favorite games and find a French version. Read the instructions and go through the motions of the game until it becomes second nature. Try French bingo, French crosswords, Jeopardy, Family Feud, Mille Bornes, and computer games. Soon you’ll pick up key phrases and absorb new vocabulary. When you’re ready for a real challenge, try out your French Cranium or Scrabble skills.

7. Read a Good Book.

Head to your local library or bookstore and find a few topics of interest. Some internationally best-selling novels in French are: “Poursuite a Quebec”, by Ian Fraser; “La Dispartition” by Geores Perec; “Introduction to French Poetry: A Dual-Language Book” by Stanely Appelbaum. Plop down in a comfy chair in a quaint café and take a mini-trip to France.

8. Watch TV.

Contrary to what your parents told you, television will not rot your brain. With satellite and cable stations providing endless channels it’s easy to tap into foreign language programs. Check out news, quiz shows, sit-coms, dramas, documentaries from France, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada on http://www.tv5.org. Popular US shows like CSI, 24, Band of Brothers, Scrubs and more are all available in French. So, if you don’t find what you like on cable, you can always check out other shows on DVD. (Many DVDs have French language audio tracks!)

9. How do you say _____ in French? | Comment dit-on ____ en francais?

Learning phrases is an excellent way to accelerate learning and impress your friends or loved one. French has been labeled the language of love. Try Je t’aime (I love you too), Je t’adore (I adore you) for starters. The Pimsleur Approach has a great audio program equipped with various French language learning levels. Listen to the CDs in the car during your daily commute or on your ten minute break at work. The great part about audio only programs is that you can multitask.

10. Get Classy

Are you finally ready to take classes? Joining a class will give you structure for developing a routine. In class you are forced to speak only in French and are immersed in the language for several hours a week. Your professor can correct your pronunciation and grammar errors. To get the most out of your class, try pairing the previous techniques with class work. Those various language learning tools will eventually stick and you’ll be speaking like a native in no time.

Ready to learn French? Now that you have several options to work into your routine, the best time to start learning is now. Even ten minutes a day will quickly accelerate how fast you learn French. The key is to be consistent. Bonne chance! (Good luck!)

Schools have started giving importance to foreign languages and they now include them in the curriculum. Whenever foreign languages are not part of the curriculum, many parents enrol their children in after school classes to help them learn languages like French and Spanish.

If you wish to enrol your child in an after school language club, you can get in touch with LCF Clubs. This company also offers activities and programmes to learn and practise French and Spanish online.

Attending an after school club or subscribing to LCF Clubs Babelzone language website will provide your child with many opportunities to learn the language easily and the fun way. Activities like storytelling, craft workshops, drama, songs, games and other fun activities provide children with the best tools to learn French or Spanish quickly and without pain.

In the clubs, the classes are informal and friendly. The resulting informal atmosphere is conducive to working on confidence and self esteem.

The clubs use audio-visual resources that help to learn French during the lessons. LCF Clubs popular online learning resources include Babelzone and Phonicszone. These resources not only help with the French language but other foreign language as well. They help your child learn Spanish online and provides the quickest way to learn French as well.

With Babelzone, children are able to interact and learn the language with activities such as fun games, animated songs and colourful stories. The Phonicszone, on the other hand, concentrates on learning English phonetics. These days many schools are also using these resources to make education more fun.

To get more information on these clubs and resources you can log on to www.lcfclubs.com. LCF clubs have over 5000 students and are renowned in the UK for providing with dynamic, interactive and fast paced lessons in foreign languages like French and Spanish. LCF Clubs can also help children improve in English by making use of the online resources that make language learning more interesting.

Experience a real Italian language class from your home. It is not a new e-learn software or a DVD language course, neither an Audio Couse nor a home tuition!

What is it then? Log in Second Life, come to our Italian Campus Classes and enter one of the first experiment of Italian language courses held by Scuola Leonardo. The Italian language lessons will be hosted by the “Second Life Festival” inside the Official Island of Tuscany during the “Festival della Creatività” (Creativity Festival) organized from 25th to 28th October.

This is a testing organised by Sigmasei in collaboration with Scuola Leonardo da Vinci, the leading italian language school in Italy, which counts more than 30 years of experience and is officially authorized by the Italian Ministry of Education. SIGMA SEI S.a.s. is a society specialized in the field of consulting and it has introduced its own project concerning the development of a virtual Italian language learning Campus on Second Life which is addressed to foreign students.

The Scuola Leonardo da Vinci experience and desire of innovation bring to this new test to give everybody the chance to learn Italian directly from your home thanks to innovative platforms like the 3D world of Second Life.

We invite all the interested people to come visit us, to have an Italian language lesson or just a visit of the Tuscany island, where you can see the famous Tower of Pisa, enter the Duomo of Florence, or just have a look at the famous “Scoppio del Carro”. All around, you will find Italian people or teachers available to speak with you.

Are you ready? If you want to partecipate, just log in to Second Life and subscribe to our SL group (called “I love italian language“) and come to one of our language courses starting every day from 12.00 till 13.30.

We are waiting for you!

Info and uptades: http://secondlife.scuolaleonardo.com/en

When attempting to learn Japanese, there are certain teaching methods that will help you to better understand and comprehend what you are trying to learn. The most difficult way to learn Japanese is to try to read it from a book. Trying to learn how to pronounce certain words and phrases as well as finding the right voice inflection is almost impossible when reading from a page. What’s a better way to learn Japanese?

Rocket Languages LTD has created Rocket Japanese, a full Japanese language learning program. The program is composed of various components, including vocabulary builders and grammar and cultural lessons. But the most important components are the two audio components: the 31-lesson interactive audio courses and the MegaAudio Software Game.

The two audio components provide the Japanese beginner with the pronunciation patterns and understanding that are needed to grasp a new language. The interactive audio courses start you off with over 14 hours of lessons on conversational Japanese. After finishing those courses, you will be able to greet people, ask for directions, order food in a restaurant, and many more of the words and phrases we use everyday.

The Rocket Japanese MegaAudio Software Game increases your understanding of Japanese and goes much deeper into the language, providing over 1000 words and phrases. The game is fun and easy to play, and you will find that your understanding of the language increases dramatically with this component.

Though there are many Japanese language software programs, it’s important to choose one that will immerse you in the language. Rocket Japanese gives you audio components necessary to understand and speak the language.