Alors,
let me begin by saying that learning French this is no easy task - especially if you
are as I am; the typical American adult who knows no language other than English.
Well, my yearning student, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that
75% of English is derived from French, so many words may sound familiar. The BAD
news is that the word order is completely different - plus they add feminine versus
masculine and formal versus informal tenses to boot!
French in Action - $300 Approx. for First Course
French in Action is a video tape, audio cassette and workbook course
developed by Pierre Capretz of Yale University. It focuses on the
"emersion" method and uses absolutely no English what-so-ever. You learn
as a child would - by example and figuring out what's going on by observation.
Another plus for this program is that you get to see "real" French people and
how they interact. It also includes French commercials, movie clips and comics.
It is an excellent program which deserves my 4-cheese rating. The only
problem I have had with this course is that it is extremely time consuming and requires
more time than I - a woman with two jobs and a two hour commute - can dedicate. If I
could truly immerse myself in it, the results would be astounding. As it is, all
this potential sits on my "bookshelf of French stuff" and collects dust at the
moment. If you have a hectic lifestyle - you may want to select another product
before taking the Capretz plunge.
Pimsleur's Spoken Foreign Language Communications Study
- $200 Approx. for Each Course - Total of 3 Courses
Here is another 4-cheese product, in my opinion. It is not as well
rounded as French in Action because it consists of only tapes - no video or
workbooks. It also uses English throughout which some people may consider a
crutch. What I love about it is it fits my life-style. The lessons are brief -
no more than 30 minutes, and each one builds on the one before it. The best part is
you can listen to the tapes in your car where you are held prisoner and be ensured of at
least one lesson every single day. I listen to a lesson on my way to work each
morning, then repeat it on my way home in the evening. That's a solid hour each day
- no excuses! Since using the tapes my comprehension has greatly increased and I am
less shy about using the words I have learned in public.
Learn To Speak French - $60 Approx
This is the CD-ROM French course you have seen at CompUSA and wondered
if you should buy it. What I like most about this product is that it allows you to
record your own voice and play it back against a native French speaker. For this
reason alone I give it a three cheese rating. The lessons are useful, involved and
fun! It is not, however, the appropriate tool for the serious student. If you
are planning a business trip or vacation in France it will suit your needs perfectly.
Lessons are focused on the tourist rather than the immigrant. Try it!
It is well worth the money.
