Thanks for watching! What's your favorite strategy for learning a new language? Have you tried extensive reading? 📚Which book are you currently reading in your target language, and how is it helping you improve?
Your method is fabulous. I am a huge fan of books with facing pages in the target language and my native language (English). My goal over years of studying Italian was to read through Dante's Divine Comedy. I've got through the first of the three books (Inferno) but stalled out in the middle of Purgatorio simply because I was distracted with other reading. I need to get re-engaged.
I learned english by reading. Roleplaying games were much more available in english than french when I was a teen. And later, I attended McGill University for a year, which boosted the whole thing to a whole new level.
In France there are many ‘bilingue’ paperbacks available. LANG POUR TOUS is one I have of English/American short stories. At the bottom,English idiomatic expressions are explained (for the French). Very useful.
Loved this video! 😊To find a book where you know 95% of the words is almost impossible when you start reading in a foreign language if you pick books written for everyone. Even children books can be incredibly challenging using simple past , conditional, plus que parfait or even subjunctive and a lot of expressions. I just picked a novel in level A1 in French for a student (an intermediate level) and there were more than 15% of unknown words. It’s a real challenge to find the sweet spot between interest and understandability. Myself I just decided one day to read a first novel in English. I was translating everything in a notebook page by page. It took me six months but I was so proud and it gave me the confidence to continue while boosting considerably my level…but it’s not for everyone.
I love the idea of keeping words in an address book. I have been keeping a notebook with words and phrases, but there is no order to it. This is much better. I have started reading one article in Le Figaro or Le Monde each morning, which has been great for improving my French and for keeping up on French news and culture. Great channel, by the way : -)
Bonjour! I'm a new subscriber. Thank you so much for the Americhana book recommendation! I just ordered it during a fantastic Amazon black Friday deal. Thanks again!
French is my new target language. I learned Spanish primarily watching Novelas on Telemundo and learning song lyrics. In French, it’s definitely through books and movies.
As always, great info and advice! I recently bought two books: Le Petit Prince in the French (paperback) as well as one I just heard about in an expat FB group "Le Langue anglaise n'existe pas" by Bernard Cercuiglini (Kindle eBook). I have not started either. I am just feeling about up to watching French-language media - in fact, tonight I will be starting the "War of the Worlds" French remake of the Jules Verne epic. I am 65, and ADHD, and likely some autism in here as well, so I am all over th map in finding/exploring ways to learn French. MY target jump date is May-early June. So I am spending at last 2 hours a day in doing something or another in French. Also, based on your "community booster" info on Dijon, it is one of the cities I will be visiting on my move-to scouting trip the first two weeks of February. Maybe we can even meet for a coffee?
Wonderful! I think we all have to tailor our language learning to not just what « works » but what we actually enjoy doing - to keep up the motivation. And mixing media is great! You need the exposure to written and spoken French anyway 😊 How did the movie go? Avec plaisir pour un café au mois de février 😊☺️
This video really resonated with me. I'm in my 70's and I started to "relearn" French about ten years ago. (I had taken and some French in my twenties as preparation for an exchange program. Events intervened and I never got to take part.) I also have a fairly severe hearing loss which complicates matters. Reading in French has been the brightest patch of my journey. I have heard varied opinions from language teachers, but, I think yours is my favorite. Over the last decade, I have read many books in French. I've read all of Flaubert, including "Novembre" his work of juvenalia, other classics by authors like Camus, Voltaire, Balzac, Dumas and Hugo and several modern novels. (I think "L'Élégance du hérisson" was my favorite.) Lately, Hugo I've been reading Hugo. I read "Notre Dame" earlier this year and I'm about 2/3 of the way through "Les Miérables." (Don't tell me what happens!) I still struggle with conversation and writing. One trick I use when I'm writing in French is to use Google translate by typing in French and having it translate to English. It will pick up some of my errors like gender and misplaced accents. But, in the end, even if I never get any better at conversation, reading has revealed a wealth of great literature, and that has given me a better understanding of French culture in general. Those things, by themselves, were worth the effort. I know I've gone on too long, but, for people looking for something to read, some short story collections like Apollinaire's "Le Robinson de la gare Saint-Lazare" or Marcel Aymé's "Le passe-muraille" are wonderful. The "Asterix" comic books are also really good for picking up word play and silly jokes.
I am impressed ! I have been teaching French for a long time and I have never met a student able to read the kind of books you are reading. What was the first French book you were able to read?
@@chrystele-fr Like most people, I read "Le Petit Prince" first. I also had a copy of "Caligrams" side by side English and French. I had read about Apollinaire, and I loved his works. Work requirements mounted and I left French behind for nearly forty years. My wife and I fell in love with France, so I started to study French again in my early sixties, well past the age of language acquisition. I still have some significant limitations, but, for some reason, I can read fairly well. I started out with French magazines like "L'Histoire." I think the first literature I read was Voltaire. A French friend of mine told me that "I was in the wrong century," and he was right, but, it was still fun. I still haven't remedied that issue because a lot of what I have read is 19th century. Although, I would suggest Camus for people learning to read. His books are fairly short and his language is direct, like a French Hemingway. For people interested in history, anything by Michel Pastaureau is great. His is elegantly clear and well phrased. Some comparatively "trashy" books are better for learning. I actually read a biography of Carla Bruni that came to hand and it was more courante. I still read slower in French than in English.
I've been studying French for a long time and fiction books are difficult to get through. I'm a B2 in reading. I can read news and blog articles, but fiction is really hard. There hasn't been any book I picked up where I know 95% of the words. I've already went through 2 graded readers and they were easy. Now I just pick up random books in the library and get the reading. Hoping one day I understand the weird styles of writing.
Thank you so much for this vid. I have been mulling over how to find books which will help my efforts to brush up my French, and this vid couldn't have come at a better time. Your self-made dictionary is genius. Have you listed your favorite podcasts somewhere? I'd be grateful to know which you like. Thanks again.
I'm currently taking a language learning course called Story Learning by Olly Richard's. It's based on learning by reading. I'm learning French and just started but I like it and think it's effective.
@@alaneolson1040 so glad the timing was right! I used to listen to the podcast One Thing in a French Day and I just recently discovered it’s still going strong after all these years, in fact apparently yesterday was the podcast’s 18th birthday 😆😁 I’ll try to look into other French language learning podcasts for adults, I’m much more familiar with English-language learning material myself thanks to my job, but i have a few ideas off the top of my head: My kids love the podcasts by France Inter like Oli (play on words with « au lit » - it’s a bedtime story podcast) and Les Odyssées (about history - but for kids) 😊☺️
@@firedupinfrance What are English language podcasts you recommend for English learners? I'm doing language conversation exchange with an Italian and she has this precise question. I'd say she's at a B2 level in English and is in her fifties. Thank you and I appreciated the well done video.
Thanks for watching 😊 Flooding? No, not really, not since I’ve lived here anyway…My husband concurs and his experience goes back further than mine, but I guess anything is possible these days…☺️
Very useful video. Thank you. Would you seek a book that is originally in the target language? Or, would you be just as comfortable choosing a book that has been translated to the target language?
What are the English language podcasts you recommend for English learners? I'm doing language conversation exchange with an Italian and she has this precise question. I'd say she's at a B2 level in English. Thank you and I appreciated the well done video.
@@firedupinfrance Her daughter lives in the US and when she visits her she's not able to understand English as it's spoken there. In Italy she doesn't listen to English, however she reads English every week as part of her work and she's able to speak at an intermediate level in English. Do you think it would be better if she stuck to American English since her objective is to be able to understand Americans? If so, is there any American content you can recommend?
I have a few french books that I am planning to read, but I am still a bit hesitant to start because of the French literary tenses. I am afraid that when I start to read these French books, I'll mix up the written and spoken french. I don't want turn into a to a walking French novel.
I have never been an avid reader, so I got myself a random selection of thin books. To start off slowly I got three editions of the "Penguin Parallel Text - Short Stories" in French, and the "Teach Yourself" Short stories in French. I also got the first three books of Harry Potter, three random books from Maurice Leblanc's "Arséne Lupin" series and Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 in French. I guess I'll just start and force myself to pay more attention to the literary tenses. I might even turn it into an excercise to translate every literary tense into the equivalent spoken past tense... :)
I think everything is great as long as the learners are enjoying themselves and their motivation remains high enough to keep them engaged. 😊☺️What’s your take?
Thanks for watching! What's your favorite strategy for learning a new language? Have you tried extensive reading? 📚Which book are you currently reading in your target language, and how is it helping you improve?
Your method is fabulous.
I am a huge fan of books with facing pages in the target language and my native language (English). My goal over years of studying Italian was to read through Dante's Divine Comedy. I've got through the first of the three books (Inferno) but stalled out in the middle of Purgatorio simply because I was distracted with other reading. I need to get re-engaged.
I learned english by reading. Roleplaying games were much more available in english than french when I was a teen. And later, I attended McGill University for a year, which boosted the whole thing to a whole new level.
In France there are many ‘bilingue’ paperbacks available. LANG POUR TOUS is one I have of English/American short stories. At the bottom,English idiomatic expressions are explained (for the French). Very useful.
Oh! Sounds great! I’ll have to check those out - thank you!
Thank you Suzi for all your tips.
Loved this video! 😊To find a book where you know 95% of the words is almost impossible when you start reading in a foreign language if you pick books written for everyone. Even children books can be incredibly challenging using simple past , conditional, plus que parfait or even subjunctive and a lot of expressions. I just picked a novel in level A1 in French for a student (an intermediate level) and there were more than 15% of unknown words. It’s a real challenge to find the sweet spot between interest and understandability. Myself I just decided one day to read a first novel in English. I was translating everything in a notebook page by page. It took me six months but I was so proud and it gave me the confidence to continue while boosting considerably my level…but it’s not for everyone.
@chrystele-fr so you translated the English back into French? If I’m understanding correctly that’s awesome! Also, you’ve given me a great idea!!!!
I love the idea of keeping words in an address book. I have been keeping a notebook with words and phrases, but there is no order to it. This is much better. I have started reading one article in Le Figaro or Le Monde each morning, which has been great for improving my French and for keeping up on French news and culture. Great channel, by the way : -)
Bonjour! I'm a new subscriber. Thank you so much for the Americhana book recommendation! I just ordered it during a fantastic Amazon black Friday deal. Thanks again!
Wonderful! Thank you! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did 😊☺️
I like the phone notebook for translation. Great idea!
French is my new target language. I learned Spanish primarily watching Novelas on Telemundo and learning song lyrics. In French, it’s definitely through books and movies.
Super ! Bon courage 🤗
I have already collected up a number of simpler books to read in French, just trying to get far enough to feel comfortable trying to read them.
As always, great info and advice! I recently bought two books: Le Petit Prince in the French (paperback) as well as one I just heard about in an expat FB group "Le Langue anglaise n'existe pas" by Bernard Cercuiglini (Kindle eBook). I have not started either. I am just feeling about up to watching French-language media - in fact, tonight I will be starting the "War of the Worlds" French remake of the Jules Verne epic.
I am 65, and ADHD, and likely some autism in here as well, so I am all over th map in finding/exploring ways to learn French. MY target jump date is May-early June. So I am spending at last 2 hours a day in doing something or another in French.
Also, based on your "community booster" info on Dijon, it is one of the cities I will be visiting on my move-to scouting trip the first two weeks of February. Maybe we can even meet for a coffee?
Wonderful! I think we all have to tailor our language learning to not just what « works » but what we actually enjoy doing - to keep up the motivation. And mixing media is great! You need the exposure to written and spoken French anyway 😊 How did the movie go? Avec plaisir pour un café au mois de février 😊☺️
You have stolen my heart to know that you are reading Chimamanda’s book!! You should definitely read all her other books. She is a fabulous writer.
@@MsOnitemi I will! I was blown away away by Americanah, absolutely brilliant 🤗
This video really resonated with me. I'm in my 70's and I started to "relearn" French about ten years ago. (I had taken and some French in my twenties as preparation for an exchange program. Events intervened and I never got to take part.) I also have a fairly severe hearing loss which complicates matters. Reading in French has been the brightest patch of my journey. I have heard varied opinions from language teachers, but, I think yours is my favorite.
Over the last decade, I have read many books in French. I've read all of Flaubert, including "Novembre" his work of juvenalia, other classics by authors like Camus, Voltaire, Balzac, Dumas and Hugo and several modern novels. (I think "L'Élégance du hérisson" was my favorite.) Lately, Hugo I've been reading Hugo. I read "Notre Dame" earlier this year and I'm about 2/3 of the way through "Les Miérables." (Don't tell me what happens!)
I still struggle with conversation and writing. One trick I use when I'm writing in French is to use Google translate by typing in French and having it translate to English. It will pick up some of my errors like gender and misplaced accents. But, in the end, even if I never get any better at conversation, reading has revealed a wealth of great literature, and that has given me a better understanding of French culture in general. Those things, by themselves, were worth the effort.
I know I've gone on too long, but, for people looking for something to read, some short story collections like Apollinaire's "Le Robinson de la gare Saint-Lazare" or Marcel Aymé's "Le passe-muraille" are wonderful. The "Asterix" comic books are also really good for picking up word play and silly jokes.
I am impressed ! I have been teaching French for a long time and I have never met a student able to read the kind of books you are reading. What was the first French book you were able to read?
@@chrystele-fr Like most people, I read "Le Petit Prince" first. I also had a copy of "Caligrams" side by side English and French. I had read about Apollinaire, and I loved his works. Work requirements mounted and I left French behind for nearly forty years. My wife and I fell in love with France, so I started to study French again in my early sixties, well past the age of language acquisition. I still have some significant limitations, but, for some reason, I can read fairly well. I started out with French magazines like "L'Histoire." I think the first literature I read was Voltaire. A French friend of mine told me that "I was in the wrong century," and he was right, but, it was still fun. I still haven't remedied that issue because a lot of what I have read is 19th century. Although, I would suggest Camus for people learning to read. His books are fairly short and his language is direct, like a French Hemingway. For people interested in history, anything by Michel Pastaureau is great. His is elegantly clear and well phrased. Some comparatively "trashy" books are better for learning. I actually read a biography of Carla Bruni that came to hand and it was more courante.
I still read slower in French than in English.
I've been studying French for a long time and fiction books are difficult to get through. I'm a B2 in reading. I can read news and blog articles, but fiction is really hard. There hasn't been any book I picked up where I know 95% of the words. I've already went through 2 graded readers and they were easy. Now I just pick up random books in the library and get the reading. Hoping one day I understand the weird styles of writing.
Thank you so much for this vid. I have been mulling over how to find books which will help my efforts to brush up my French, and this vid couldn't have come at a better time. Your self-made dictionary is genius.
Have you listed your favorite podcasts somewhere? I'd be grateful to know which you like.
Thanks again.
I'm currently taking a language learning course called Story Learning by Olly Richard's. It's based on learning by reading. I'm learning French and just started but I like it and think it's effective.
@@sheli4795 Excellent - I’ll have to check it out - thank you!
@@alaneolson1040 so glad the timing was right! I used to listen to the podcast One Thing in a French Day and I just recently discovered it’s still going strong after all these years, in fact apparently yesterday was the podcast’s 18th birthday 😆😁 I’ll try to look into other French language learning podcasts for adults, I’m much more familiar with English-language learning material myself thanks to my job, but i have a few ideas off the top of my head: My kids love the podcasts by France Inter like Oli (play on words with « au lit » - it’s a bedtime story podcast) and Les Odyssées (about history - but for kids) 😊☺️
@@firedupinfrance What are English language podcasts you recommend for English learners? I'm doing language conversation exchange with an Italian and she has this precise question. I'd say she's at a B2 level in English and is in her fifties. Thank you and I appreciated the well done video.
Excellent content! On an unrelated topic, does Dijon experience much flooding?
Thanks for watching 😊 Flooding? No, not really, not since I’ve lived here anyway…My husband concurs and his experience goes back further than mine, but I guess anything is possible these days…☺️
Very useful video. Thank you. Would you seek a book that is originally in the target language? Or, would you be just as comfortable choosing a book that has been translated to the target language?
Thank YOU 😊☺️ I think either option would work ☺️
What are the English language podcasts you recommend for English learners? I'm doing language conversation exchange with an Italian and she has this precise question. I'd say she's at a B2 level in English. Thank you and I appreciated the well done video.
Thank you for watching 😊☺️ I think the BBC Learning English podcasts are great, has she tried those?
@@firedupinfrance Her daughter lives in the US and when she visits her she's not able to understand English as it's spoken there. In Italy she doesn't listen to English, however she reads English every week as part of her work and she's able to speak at an intermediate level in English. Do you think it would be better if she stuck to American English since her objective is to be able to understand Americans? If so, is there any American content you can recommend?
I have a few french books that I am planning to read, but I am still a bit hesitant to start because of the French literary tenses. I am afraid that when I start to read these French books, I'll mix up the written and spoken french. I don't want turn into a to a walking French novel.
Interesting! I think you’ll be fine as long as you’re still getting significant doses of spoken French too 😊☺️ What are you going to read? Good luck!
I have never been an avid reader, so I got myself a random selection of thin books. To start off slowly I got three editions of the "Penguin Parallel Text - Short Stories" in French, and the "Teach Yourself" Short stories in French. I also got the first three books of Harry Potter, three random books from Maurice Leblanc's "Arséne Lupin" series and Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 in French.
I guess I'll just start and force myself to pay more attention to the literary tenses. I might even turn it into an excercise to translate every literary tense into the equivalent spoken past tense... :)
Do you support bilingual books & audio, or 2 books--1 language, 1 book, & separate target language
audio book?
I think everything is great as long as the learners are enjoying themselves and their motivation remains high enough to keep them engaged. 😊☺️What’s your take?
Je suis d’accord!
Vous avez balbutié "balbutier"😊 ça s'écrit balbutier et se prononce balbuCier.
C’est fort probable 🤭