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- France
- Quebec
- Africa
...

Kind of a provocative title lol, but do people learning French (or any other language) on Duolingo really think that's how they will learn the language ?

Imo the app is great to get a taste of the language, to see if you like it, like how it sounds, for me it's like dipping your toe in the pool.

But Duo is mostly just a game labeled as a learning app, and people with amazing streaks still can't hold an A2 conversation (mostly. I'm not talking about the exception but the general use and results you get from it)

So, are people know that they are wasting time (if their goal is to truly learn the language, and not just have fun 5min a day) or do they truly think that they will be able to speak at the end of the "course" ?

Born in France from French parents, lived abroad in French speaking countries until age 15. Came back in France and lived there since then (I'm now 24).

Ask me anything regarding the French language, culture, etc.

I’m a beginner at French (started 2 weeks ago) and currently my plan is 10-15 minutes a day with Airlearn, 1 episode of Coffee Break French, and around 20-40 minutes studying (depending on the day) 5-6 days a week.

I have three questions regarding this.

1. If I keep at it with this effort (obviously changing tactics underway but same effort), where do you think my French will be in a years time?

2. At what level would you say you can stop actively studying and start to learning almost entirely from input? Meaning from watching TV (simple shows like Disney shows), podcasts and other such channels.

3. Do you have any tips for studying strategies?

Merci d’avance! 🇫🇷

I'm curious about real life experiences. We often hear people wanting to know how long does it take to learn a specific language, but how much did it cost you ?
Did you try as much as possible to take as much free resources available out there ? Even if it's longer to learn the language ?
Or did you "commit" to it and put money to buy textbooks, grammar books, children books, subscriptions to apps, a tutor, a private language school, a trip ?

Also if you have things you regret spending money on, what are they ?

Let me explain: for any intermerdiate/advanced french learners, with the experience and knowledge you acquired (both in the language but also as a learner (what works best for you, what you know you have trouble with), what would you do differently ? By what theme would you start learning as an absolute beginner ? Would you focus more on pronunciation ? On the alphabet ? On vocabulary first ? Or starting straight into grammar ?

What about your resources ? What would you have wished to have sooner, and what did you find -at the end of the day- kinda useless ?

Did you get distracted by poor advice ? Did you waste time on certain things or concept that weren't really worth it ?

As the title says. I personally only use Anki for vocabulary. Ive tried learning it with grammar structures before, making my own flashcards, but I feel like its not the best method for that.
I wanted to hear about your thoughts and if you think it works and is worth it. What is your method ?

(ofc Im not talking about using anki for science or flags, but only for language learning)

As the title said. Im a French native, looking to build grammar courses to help people learn french, and upon my research I found those 2 popular books that i bought. But looking at them, how the courses are, the flow, the exercises, the vocabulary,... they seem so COMPLICATED... Is it just me ?

I found that the amount of exercises is good actually, but looking at some of the vocabulary taught it seems way to complex sometimes or even outdated...

If you're a french learner, and used or is using one of those manuals, what do you like or dislike about them ? Did they help you alot ?

And if you're a french tutor and know one of these, how do you use them in your courses ? do you just follow what is said or do you share my opinion and add your own twist to it ?

Here are some recommendations for French learners depending on their difficulty. I often see posts from people wanting to immerse but don't find the right shows. I think the list below is a great way to start immersing yourself with limited grammar/vocabulary !

However I recommend switching your content based on your interests, and watch movies or youtube content whenever you can to get used to real-life spoken french, but this is a great start !

You can find these shows on websites like YouTube, Netflix, TV5monde+ , M6.fr, france.tv ...

Shows for beginners

• Oui-oui
• Caillou
• Dora l'exploratrice
• T'choupi et doudou
• Trotro
• Petit ours brun
• Didou
• Simon
• Peppa Pig (the french version)

Shows for upper-beginners

• Les Schtroumpfs (The Smurfs)
• Pompon ours
• Samsam
• La cour des grands
• Les métiers
• La caravane Lumni : conseils de lecture

Shows for intermediates

• Miraculous: Les aventures de Ladybug et Chat Noir
• Les aventures de Tintin
• Asterix
• Titeuf
• Les Sisters
• 1 jour, 1 question (podcast)
• Moi à ton âge
• Les mystérieuses Cités d'Or
• Moules-frites

Hope you find this list helpful ! If you think I misplaced shows in the wrong difficulty level, lmk ! If you have any other shows that helped you learn french and are not on the list, please add them in the comments :)

I'm not talking about regular way of study, like with a textbook, but something that YOU found works best for YOU, even if it's not one of the traditional ways of learning a language.

Like for me when I was learning English, I had the regular classes in school, and even took extra classes in smaller group, but I was still very mediocre. But when I just switched the language of the entertaining content I was consuming at home to English, (webtoons, YouTube videos, movies, TV shows) I improved so much I was so happy T-T

Do you guys have experiences like that, or something even more special ?

Thanks for taking the time to read and reply 🙂

I'm not talking about regular way of study, like with a textbook, but something that YOU found works best for YOU, even if it's not one of the traditional ways of learning a language.

Like for me when I was learning English, I had the regular classes in school, and even took extra classes in smaller group, but I was still very mediocre. But when I just switched the language of the entertaining content I was consuming at home to English, (webtoons, YouTube videos, movies, TV shows) I improved so much I was so happy T-T

Do you guys have experiences like that, or something even more special ?

Thanks for taking the time to read and reply 🙂