View Full Version : Need Help (Need to Learn French ASAP)
Archangel
08-08-2005, 09:39
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Ok here's my delima: I need to pick up French (basic conversation), but it's been over 15 years since I've used it so my French is useless right now. I have less than 5 weeks to learn French to pass a profeciency test for my unit.
Any comments on the program above or suggestions on an effective program to learn a foreign language quickly?
The Reaper
08-08-2005, 09:49
No hope but a long haired dictionary.
Go to Quebec, quickly!
TR
CoLawman
08-08-2005, 10:02
Ok here's my delima: I used to pick up French (basic conversation), but it's been over 15 years since I've used it so my French is useless right now. I have less than 5 weeks to learn French to pass a profeciency test for my unit.
Any comments on the program above or suggestions on an effective program to learn a foreign language quickly?
I do know that the program you are considering is tops in the business!
But am equally interested in the responses you get from those in the know!
Proficient in 5 weeks seems tough! :munchin
I suggest rosetta stone kinda costly but from what i have seen and what others have told me its a good system. also try pimsluer cds(should be able to get them from the local lib.)
If you brush up with those programs then maybe try the french teacher at the local high school as a possible person to convers with.
just my .02
2nd on the Rosetta Stone. You get what you pay for. I was a limited conversation and speaking ability from HS. I came into the army with the language and was a 1/1. I'm completely worthless now after 7 years of not talking with someone in French. The army took away language pay for those that weren't in a position that required it so the incentive was not there for me to struggle with it.
Quickest ways that I've seen is immersion if possible. Find a fluent (native or damned good linguist) and by a crap load of cards to label everything in your home and make each one a conversation piece. Color, texture, shape, size, and even incorporate #'s.
It worked for a friend that did an 80 hour immersion course for Spanish and gave him a good base to work off of.
Best of luck!!
Archangel
08-08-2005, 12:46
I'm not sure if it's the DLPT that I will be taking, but it is the test that I need to pass to get the extra language pay (if you know which test I need to take then please let me know). French is one of the languages that my Group accepts for laguage pay.
I will be taking a significant paycut soon & every little bit that I can get will help keep my head above water with my mortgage & other bills.
Dustin03
08-08-2005, 12:50
be glad they didnt tell you arabic AA.... Is this mandatory for all "you guys" in the unit?
BTW, I made a full recovery...HAHAHA
The Reaper
08-08-2005, 13:00
I'm not sure if it's the DLPT that I will be taking, but it is the test that I need to pass to get the extra language pay (if you know which test I need to take then please let me know). French is one of the languages that my Group accepts for laguage pay.
I will be taking a significant paycut soon & every little bit that I can get will help keep my head above water with my mortgage & other bills.
DLPT is the standard.
You will have to read increasingly difficult material, and answer questions about them.
Then you will listen tapes, mainly TV and radio stories, and answer questions about what you heard.
The tests are designed for State Department cocktail type conversation, swearing and being able to teach a class on an ambush patrol will be of little use.
In addition to your normal studeies, read French papers/magazines and listen to French news broadcasts.
Again, consider a trip to a French speaking area or at least finding someone to chat with in French about current events if you get the chance.
Good luck.
TR
Do they not use the Dlat to test your language profeciency anymore. I always thought the DLPT was to test your ability to learn a language. Thanks for the updated info.
The Reaper
08-08-2005, 15:49
Do they not use the Dlat to test your language profeciency anymore. I always thought the DLPT was to test your ability to learn a language. Thanks for the updated info.
You have it backwards.
TR
Peregrino
08-08-2005, 15:49
Do they not use the Dlat to test your language profeciency anymore. I always thought the DLPT was to test your ability to learn a language. Thanks for the updated info.
Defense Language APTITUDE Battery (DLAB) vs. Defense Language PROFICIENCY Test (DLPT). A solid command of the English language is helpful if you want to pass either one (seriously - that was not just to jerk your chain). Peregrino
Park a Greenpeace boat in the nearest harbour. You'll have Frenchmen everywhere in no time.
Archangel
08-08-2005, 21:04
Park a Greenpeace boat in the nearest harbour. You'll have Frenchmen everywhere in no time.
What would it take to have French women all over?
again thanks for the Info. This site rocks nothing like having up to date info at your finger tips in one place. Yeah I have heard that the best way to study for the DLAB was to study basic English grammar(a weakness of mine, Idiot guide to english grammar is helping)
FWIW: Brother is an O in MI (linguist: French, German, Korean) and his wife teaches French at DLI. Wife speaks passable French and I butcher German with a nice accent. Been exposed to foreign languages most of my life. . . never was a good student of them though.
That said, I have found the best way FOR ME to brush up on my German is to read it ALOUD and to listen to German radio. Also, I've gotten good traction with the Pimsleur cd's for developing my ear. Outside of visiting Germany or Austria, that's the best I could do.
Good luck! You'd be suprised to see what a couple hours a day will do for you in five weeks.
HTH
Books
elmntskater1588
08-09-2005, 13:35
This could be of use, written by A. G. HAWKE a Special Forces Soldier.
The quick and Dirty guide to learning languages fast (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1581600968/qid=1123616040/sr=1-23/ref=sr_1_23/103-8633349-3649410?v=glance&s=books)
I had a similar situation with learning French to pass a proficiency test. Mine was for graduating college.
That book by A.G. Hawke is pretty good in that it gives a nice step by step plan on how to learn a language, depending on how much time you have. I would offer a few suggestions.
1) Depending on where you live, check and see if there is an "Alliance Francaise (http://www.afusa.org) " school nearby. They are in alot of major cities. I know that they have intensive courses available. Also, check your local colleges, universities, and continuing education centers for French classes. In addition to French classes (which cost money) many colleges and universities have language clubs that are free, and allow you to speak with people in your target language.
2) There is a little book by dover publications called "essential french grammar". It is a good,concise overview of French grammar and is a quick read. unlike most grammer books, this one is meant to be read cover to cover.
3) Buy a French Musical CD (I like Edith Piaf) and listen to it. If the lyrics aren't in the booklet acompaning the CD you can find them on the internet easily. The method I used was to listen to the song at first to see if I had a general understanding of what the song was about. Then I listened to it intently, in an attempt to transcribe it. I would then compare my transcription with the actual lyrics. I would usually translate the lyrics so I had an idea on what the song was about . I would then sing the song in French, with its meaning in the back of my mind over and over, until I had the song memorized. I usually did about a song a week this way. It REALLY helped my ability to understand spoken French.
4) get a French DVD, preferably a cheap B-horror movie or softcore porn type (like Emanuelle or Jean Rollin movies) I know it sounds stupid but the really bad French movies like Zombie Lake, Emanualle, Living Dead Girl, etc are MUCH MUCH better choices than the quality movies like Amelie. The reason revolves around their cheapness. Because these are such bad films, usually the dialog is much simpler and requires a smaller vocabulary to be understood. Also, because the acting is not very good, the actors usually speak slower than in the better French films, making it easier to understand for the non native speaker. Another nice thing about DVDs is that you can turn the subtitles on or off. Leave them off at first.
Also, if you have children's DVD's. check to see if they have a French language track on it.
5) Pick up a french magazine or newspaper and read one article a day for the first week. Go through it once, even if you don't understand most of the words, to see if you get the general meaning of the article. Then go through the article again and underline every word you do not know. Look all of the words up and memorize them. If you are comfortable doing one article a day after the first week, increase it to 2 articles a day. After a while you will find yourself highlighting much less.
6) Buy "Easy French Reader" it is a great way to start to learn to read French. The passages start easy and get progressively harder. Also the book is rather inexpensive.
7) For an inexpensive CD instructional set, try "learn in your car French" It is all audio, so you can use it while in your car.
8) Many memory books have methods of remembering foriegn vocabulary. You can buy a cheap one at a bookstore (I like Harry Lorrayne's books) or you can just read the section on memorizing vocabulary words while in the bookstore.
Hope this helps,
Jon
NousDefionsDoc
08-09-2005, 21:33
No hope but a long haired dictionary.
Go to Quebec, quickly!
TR
+1
Was wondering how its going with your dilema? Which method or methods you went with and how they are working or not working.
Good Luck with it
JG