Alex, great video and you should be really proud of everything you have achieved. It's so obvious from the comments how you have brought together a wonderful community who think very deeply about their language learning. Thanks for everything you are doing.
Ah Fiyen, I'm so happy to have the lovely people that I do in my community, both here and in my private community. The world is a better place when everyone is kind and supportive of each other, right?!
Je suis d'accord que la plupart des difficultés sont dans la tete ! Merci pour la vidéo et les astuces, Alex ! Et je pense que Delilah devrait organiser une rdv avec son coiffeur 🤣
Agree with all of your points. Maybe a few more. French "seems" easier than it really is because it shares so many words with English. The "music", the "rhythm", and the "mindset" are so completely different however. So the idea that it should be "easy" is really a faux ami and a potential source of discouragement. Another is - if you can swing it - at some point avoid the "group lessons". I think they really detract from your learning as your time is now diluted by everyone else in the class and listening to other students struggle to speak is tiring and maybe I'd go so far as to say - harmful. Another is that the reason why we are drawn to French is why when we get to the bottom of your curve - the chasm, the abyss opens up below us - at some point you realize just *how* much there is to know in terms of idioms, of cultural references, of so many different words for almost the same thing, the subtleties of the grammar etc. So yeah we want to learn French because it's so rich but at the same time we get discouraged because - well because it's so rich. Another is that speaking is - as you say - the key - it's the ultimate forcing function. When you struggle to say something and then finally master it - you've got it forever. And by speaking your comprehension will inevitably progress as well. Another subtle point - the French are justifiably proud of their language - the debate as to whether they are "snooty" or "condescending" will rage on forever (I say no btw) but the point is that the French judge each other by how they use their own language so to expect that they won't judge you is unrealistic. You *will* get judged and somehow you do have to push through that.
I agree. Your comment was so observant and beautifully written. I find that people outside of Paris are much more relaxed and jovial when they correct your mistakes......not many stony glances and tsk tsk-ing at errors in grammar or pronunciation. It is really just in Paris where Brits and Americans, in particular, can be terrified into silence with the condescending looks and rather abrupt and dismissive critiques/corrections. I have several friends who were raised in Paris and they all say the same thing: "Always remember that Parisians are even harder on themselves than they are on everyone else. The education system is brilliant in many ways but can produce very anxiety-ridden perfectionists. So, try never to take the "snooty" attitude to heart." Learn from their critiques, but, as you said, they constantly correct each other. They have grown tough skins against criticism from their compatriots.....whereas the polite, sensitive Brits and we very sensitive Americans can feel intimidated into silence. (This is all generalization, of course.) My friends also say that many Parisians are such perfectionists that they, themselves, are terrified to speak ENGLISH....for fear of making mistakes or sounding awkward. Sometimes, when they switch to English with you, it seems a criticism but really it is that they feel brave after your French mistakes and want to practice their English with someone who they know will not (cannot!) judge them harshly. All of this said, I have met MOSTLY wonderful, kind, patient people in Paris. It's just that when Parisians do supercilious, they do it really, REALLY well!😅🤣
@@lisaahmari7199 Thanks. Two more ideas that came to me - one is "good news" and one is "bad news". The "good news" is that there probably has never been a better time to learn a language given the wealth of all sorts of resources that are just one click away. It must have been way, way harder back in the day. The "bad news" is that in some ways (and again why French seems so hard) French is not one language but three. There is the mainstream "business" or "newscaster" French. But then there is the "street French". And finally there is the langage soutenu - the language of Hugo, Balzac etc. Technically these are "registers" but it does had to what one has to master - well you could avoid the langage soutenu but at some point even there you will be faced with it at some point.
Beautifully put, as expressed by Fiyen and Lisa. Thank you for taking the time to share. It's going to help so many people who pass by and read the comments. I would respond to a couple of your points: "Avoiding group lessons". It truly depends on what stage you're at the in the process. And I'm not talking about B1, B2 etc. The majority of the students I work with have plenty of knowledge but don't know how to put it regularly into practice and they also lack effective speaking habits which would greatly help them in their real-world conversations, like dealing with misunderstandings, or when the mind goes blank, or when they find themselves too shy to say something. I run group sessions and even though everyone is learning the language, it's still a great environment to practice the techniques I teach to overcome those aforementioned situations. However, of course, I highly encourage people to find themselves a 1:1 partner or tutor so they get all the time for their French and they speak to a native! "There isn't just 1 language, but 3". Yes oh yes. At some point we have to accept that our first goal should just be to speak a French that is relatively polite and most important gets our point across. By exposing ourselves to real French dialogue we will, over a long time, get input of all the different "registres" of the French language: soutenu, courant, familier, argot... It's just time and patience.
@French in Plain Sight All true!! And, really, the "three language" observation could kind of be said of any language that I have studied. There is always the formal, the informal, and whatever slang young people come up with to drive their elders insane. 😅
Great video. I've started using a bullet journal to track my French learning. One thing that's become apparent is that I just don't spend enough time speaking.
thanks; very encouraging. I understand 98% of the conversation - and I am in the Occitane where the langue is pretty much like Glaswegian.. but its just joining up the words in my head.. the linking words when I come to speak.. where I get stuck. And of course confidence.
Thanks Alex timing of this video was great! I find myself in the dreaded plateau and I identify mostly with the point you made about not speaking enough. I have used italki occasionally and have a teacher I like but regular lessons are hard to budget for and i haven’t had much luck with apps like Tandem so I find myself in conversations with myself while driving or while doing household work 😅 I try to stay engaged by not just doing my 20 mins of DuoLingo daily but also consuming different types of media like browsing Le Monde, watching shows, or listening to music and focusing on comprehension and repeating certain phrases back out loud. I also find that writing in French is a great way to help things take a stronger hold. Good luck to everyone keeping after their goals and not giving up during the plateau! N’est pas dommage c’est une opportunité!
I'm glad it resonated. Is it Martin? Yes it can be stop start with apps like Tandem because we need to find the right person. That's why I tended to book with a tutor more often. However, when budget is an issue you've just gotta see ithe situation differently, and persist with the language partner angle because it's free and there are good people out there. You also have to stay disciplined and show up for them. It sounds like you have a good repertoire of activities you do regularly though. That's great. Keep it up!
Wow thank you so much for this video! I moved to France this past September and have really been feeling this plateau. I felt like the first couple months of my stay, my french was really flourishing, and now these past few months I’ve hit that wall. Didn’t think I’d find a video that I resonate with so much!! This was incredibly helpful. Merci beaucoup 🙏🏻
You're so welcome, Hale. Wherabouts in France did you settle? By the way, don't hesitate to check out my community program that's enrolling new students at the moment. The aim is to really make 2023 the year that people smash past the plateau! learn.frenchinplainsight.com/confident-french-speaker-community
I'm definitely feeling this video! I've powered through 40 units of Duolingo french in 2 weeks and watched youtube vids, read tonnes of material - and my brain is feeling a bit stunned I don't seem to be comprehending things that should be straightforward... a lull? But I'm powering on anyway :)
Love this video, thanks again Alex! Definitely in this phase at the moment, the 'Limited Beliefs' section where they responded in English was so relatable! Keep up the great work :)
Such a good teacher, I'm really glad Ifound you a couple of years ago. Between you and Geraldine (you know Geraldine right?) my French has improved beyond measure. Thanks. Also worth a smirk to remember that 'plateau' is a French word !
And yet your name is "Online School of English". I'm teasing. :D. The Internet is your best friend in that case. Check out this video for some resources for speaking practice : ua-cam.com/video/rs1H0qdS6gY/v-deo.html
@@FrenchinPlainSight We did have a video call last year but I couldn’t fit with your timetable. You put me in touch with Lucie and I’m doing regular sessions with her and doing the right things. She’s great. Really appreciate your help with that 👍🏻
Bonsoir Alex et merci pour ta video! je connais bien le deuxieme scenario. J’ai trouvé que je m’ameliorais beacoup si je continuais parler en francais meme s’ils me parlaient en anglais. persister en francais dans la conversation, ca marche bien pour le pratiquer!
I feel like the 4 classes of French I took were like a guided river and now that im done the river opened up to a wide lake with no direction. Sometimes I feel like I don't know what to study to improve.
Ah the dichotomy of classes: they add structure so you have a feeling of order and scope but they can never go on forever. Once you are done with them you are on your own and the enormousness of the challenge can be overwhelming. I aim to help people with this in my programs: to help people navigate the marathon while letting them be the ones that choose their direction on a daily, weekly, yearly timescale. First of all I suggest adopting the mindset that accepts that it's a long term project and that all that you're doing is taking you forward even if it doesn't feel that way. Second, make regular goals to check in with your progress and fuel motivation.
Hi Alex, you are completely describing me! . I am at B1 level, I live in France (18 months now) and my wife is french. I don't seem to be improving, I lack confidence, I am scared still everytime a French person speaks to me, I seem to forget everything I try to learn and I keep making silly mistakes! I often feel like giving up......
I totally understand what you say Ian, and many of my students have French partners. I've been able to help them completely change their view of their situation and grow in confidence. What is one thing from the tips in the video that you think you can try to get out of the rut? Also, I recommend you join the waiting list for my program (it's a community based program following a step by step curriculum) as it will really help you. learn.frenchinplainsight.com/cfsc-waiting-list/ Otherwise, there's my 1:1 private coaching too where everything is personalised. I'm fully booked right now but there is also a waiting list for that here learn.frenchinplainsight.com/private-french-coaching
HI Alex, I have already joined the waiting list. I think one of the important points you make is to speak more. I do speak French every day but normally just with my wife. It is all too easy to slip back into english though, plus I work remotely, in english, all day. I also fall back on comfortable expressions, and I am not trying hard enough to use new vocab/expressions I have learnt. Basically, I can make every excuse under the sun for my poor French, making excuses is the one thing I get better and better at 🤣
What is the name of the organization which offers the possibility of actual interaction with French speakers? Seems there's virtually no one in Jacksonville, FL who speaks French.
Many people's have the primary goal of learning to speak Frencgh. However, my goal is to be able to comprehend spoken Frnech so that I can watch French UA-cam, TV, cinama. My demotivation is that after so many years of reading and listening to French I am still require text in order to understand anything I am hearing. And since captions for most TV and moives rartely match what is being said, watching more that 30 min of French tv or movies makes me wonder whyt I'm wasting my time.
Great tips and incites. I am still trying to perfect English after 66 years, so why should I expect a high level of success after 3 years of French? I think it boils down to motivation, the need to learn the language, and the ability to ditch the ego when speaking. As you get older and further away from formal education/work, it is harder to accept feedback and correction. Merci.
Often we stress about how to get there that we end up taking little to no action. I know because I've been there a lot. Even little steps, consistent steps, count and take us forward. They don't seem like much after a few days but after months and years the difference is staggering. Motivation is an emotion. We can't rely on it and have to show up and do the work even when we don't feel like it. The fact that you've reflected on this is going to take you towards positive action Scott. So, keep it up and let me know what the first thing you decided to do with that refreshed perspective is!
@@FrenchinPlainSight Thanks for responding. Trying to listen to more French "at full speed" and learn to deal with the fact I don't (and maybe never will) understand all of it. RFI is a great resource, along with so many other UA-cam resources such as yours. Keep up the good work! Cheers
C'est surtout moi, ça. Je sais qu'il faut que je réduise le temps que je dépêche à Duolingo, mais j'en ai peur parce que mes horaires quotidiens vont être derangés et je ne suis pas prêt de les deranger. Et en fait, je crois vraiment que je doit améliorer mon vocabulaire. De tout façon, ça m'a fait 7 minutes d'écriver ce commentaire. 😅
7 minutes! Mais, bravo d'avoir INVESTI 7 minutes de ton temps, de ta vie, en toi et dans ton développement ! Et si tu n'es pas prêt, essaie de faire d'abord un petit changement plutôt que tout changer d'un coup. Petit-à-petit, introduire plus de changements jusqu'à ta routine ressemble plus à ce que tu veux qu'il ressemble.
A tip for those who want to speed their learning: Speak to yourselves in French! This can look like a little autistic and schizophrenic at first hahaha but I assure you that this is a pro tip I use often! Another one is to use flashcards apps to learn words and expressions!
Yes! It soon becomes a habit and you don't realise you're doing it. I've figured out many complex sentences just by muttering to myself. It's meditative :p
Alex, J'adore tes vidéos, mais je ne comprends pas pourquoi tu ne supprimes pas l'anglais. Cette dernière vidéo était horrible, une telle perte de temps. Maintenant, si c'était en français......
Salut John. Chacun son style. C'est mon style de faire mes coachings principalement en anglais pour que mes abonnés/mes élèves s'identifient totalement à mes paroles, et ça aide beaucoup mes élèves à prendre en confiance. En tant que créateur/enseignant sur Internet on sait qu'on parle à des personnes avec des préférences diverses, et le style d'une personne ne va pas convenir à chaque individu. Je suis désolé que mes vidéos ne te conviennent pas. Heureusement, il y a beaucoup de chaines dont les vidéos sont exclusivement en français :). La mienne est 90% en anglais, 10% en français, et pour le moment, ça ne changera pas. Par contre, une vidéo la semaine prochaine sera en français :).
Alex, great video and you should be really proud of everything you have achieved.
It's so obvious from the comments how you have brought together a wonderful community who think very deeply about their language learning. Thanks for everything you are doing.
Ah Fiyen, I'm so happy to have the lovely people that I do in my community, both here and in my private community. The world is a better place when everyone is kind and supportive of each other, right?!
Je suis d'accord que la plupart des difficultés sont dans la tete ! Merci pour la vidéo et les astuces, Alex ! Et je pense que Delilah devrait organiser une rdv avec son coiffeur 🤣
Sa coiffeuse est en congé, pendant une durée indéterminée...
Good description of the "intermediate plateau" and great suggestions. Staying motivated can be a challenge. Thanks again, Alex!
My pleasure Kurt! We can't rely on motivation. It's basically an emotion. Just gotta keep showing up!
Alex details some of the important psychological dimensions of language-learning. Bravo ...
Agree with all of your points. Maybe a few more. French "seems" easier than it really is because it shares so many words with English. The "music", the "rhythm", and the "mindset" are so completely different however. So the idea that it should be "easy" is really a faux ami and a potential source of discouragement.
Another is - if you can swing it - at some point avoid the "group lessons". I think they really detract from your learning as your time is now diluted by everyone else in the class and listening to other students struggle to speak is tiring and maybe I'd go so far as to say - harmful.
Another is that the reason why we are drawn to French is why when we get to the bottom of your curve - the chasm, the abyss opens up below us - at some point you realize just *how* much there is to know in terms of idioms, of cultural references, of so many different words for almost the same thing, the subtleties of the grammar etc. So yeah we want to learn French because it's so rich but at the same time we get discouraged because - well because it's so rich.
Another is that speaking is - as you say - the key - it's the ultimate forcing function. When you struggle to say something and then finally master it - you've got it forever. And by speaking your comprehension will inevitably progress as well.
Another subtle point - the French are justifiably proud of their language - the debate as to whether they are "snooty" or "condescending" will rage on forever (I say no btw) but the point is that the French judge each other by how they use their own language so to expect that they won't judge you is unrealistic. You *will* get judged and somehow you do have to push through that.
This is a beautiful piece of writing. Pleasure to read.
I agree. Your comment was so observant and beautifully written. I find that people outside of Paris are much more relaxed and jovial when they correct your mistakes......not many stony glances and tsk tsk-ing at errors in grammar or pronunciation. It is really just in Paris where Brits and Americans, in particular, can be terrified into silence with the condescending looks and rather abrupt and dismissive critiques/corrections.
I have several friends who were raised in Paris and they all say the same thing: "Always remember that Parisians are even harder on themselves than they are on everyone else. The education system is brilliant in many ways but can produce very anxiety-ridden perfectionists. So, try never to take the "snooty" attitude to heart." Learn from their critiques, but, as you said, they constantly correct each other. They have grown tough skins against criticism from their compatriots.....whereas the polite, sensitive Brits and we very sensitive Americans can feel intimidated into silence. (This is all generalization, of course.)
My friends also say that many Parisians are such perfectionists that they, themselves, are terrified to speak ENGLISH....for fear of making mistakes or sounding awkward. Sometimes, when they switch to English with you, it seems a criticism but really it is that they feel brave after your French mistakes and want to practice their English with someone who they know will not (cannot!) judge them harshly.
All of this said, I have met MOSTLY wonderful, kind, patient people in Paris. It's just that when Parisians do supercilious, they do it really, REALLY well!😅🤣
@@lisaahmari7199 Thanks. Two more ideas that came to me - one is "good news" and one is "bad news".
The "good news" is that there probably has never been a better time to learn a language given the wealth of all sorts of resources that are just one click away. It must have been way, way harder back in the day.
The "bad news" is that in some ways (and again why French seems so hard) French is not one language but three. There is the mainstream "business" or "newscaster" French. But then there is the "street French". And finally there is the langage soutenu - the language of Hugo, Balzac etc. Technically these are "registers" but it does had to what one has to master - well you could avoid the langage soutenu but at some point even there you will be faced with it at some point.
Beautifully put, as expressed by Fiyen and Lisa. Thank you for taking the time to share. It's going to help so many people who pass by and read the comments.
I would respond to a couple of your points:
"Avoiding group lessons". It truly depends on what stage you're at the in the process. And I'm not talking about B1, B2 etc. The majority of the students I work with have plenty of knowledge but don't know how to put it regularly into practice and they also lack effective speaking habits which would greatly help them in their real-world conversations, like dealing with misunderstandings, or when the mind goes blank, or when they find themselves too shy to say something. I run group sessions and even though everyone is learning the language, it's still a great environment to practice the techniques I teach to overcome those aforementioned situations.
However, of course, I highly encourage people to find themselves a 1:1 partner or tutor so they get all the time for their French and they speak to a native!
"There isn't just 1 language, but 3". Yes oh yes. At some point we have to accept that our first goal should just be to speak a French that is relatively polite and most important gets our point across. By exposing ourselves to real French dialogue we will, over a long time, get input of all the different "registres" of the French language: soutenu, courant, familier, argot... It's just time and patience.
@French in Plain Sight All true!! And, really, the "three language" observation could kind of be said of any language that I have studied. There is always the formal, the informal, and whatever slang young people come up with to drive their elders insane. 😅
Great video. I've started using a bullet journal to track my French learning. One thing that's become apparent is that I just don't spend enough time speaking.
I'm glad it was a useful reminder Liz. Get out there and schedule some speaking :)
thanks; very encouraging. I understand 98% of the conversation - and I am in the Occitane where the langue is pretty much like Glaswegian.. but its just joining up the words in my head.. the linking words when I come to speak.. where I get stuck. And of course confidence.
Ah where in Occitane? I'm in Montpellier where I don't hear Occitan ever.
Thanks Alex timing of this video was great! I find myself in the dreaded plateau and I identify mostly with the point you made about not speaking enough. I have used italki occasionally and have a teacher I like but regular lessons are hard to budget for and i haven’t had much luck with apps like Tandem so I find myself in conversations with myself while driving or while doing household work 😅 I try to stay engaged by not just doing my 20 mins of DuoLingo daily but also consuming different types of media like browsing Le Monde, watching shows, or listening to music and focusing on comprehension and repeating certain phrases back out loud. I also find that writing in French is a great way to help things take a stronger hold. Good luck to everyone keeping after their goals and not giving up during the plateau! N’est pas dommage c’est une opportunité!
I'm glad it resonated. Is it Martin?
Yes it can be stop start with apps like Tandem because we need to find the right person. That's why I tended to book with a tutor more often. However, when budget is an issue you've just gotta see ithe situation differently, and persist with the language partner angle because it's free and there are good people out there. You also have to stay disciplined and show up for them.
It sounds like you have a good repertoire of activities you do regularly though. That's great. Keep it up!
Wow thank you so much for this video! I moved to France this past September and have really been feeling this plateau. I felt like the first couple months of my stay, my french was really flourishing, and now these past few months I’ve hit that wall. Didn’t think I’d find a video that I resonate with so much!! This was incredibly helpful. Merci beaucoup 🙏🏻
You're so welcome, Hale. Wherabouts in France did you settle?
By the way, don't hesitate to check out my community program that's enrolling new students at the moment. The aim is to really make 2023 the year that people smash past the plateau! learn.frenchinplainsight.com/confident-french-speaker-community
I'm definitely feeling this video! I've powered through 40 units of Duolingo french in 2 weeks and watched youtube vids, read tonnes of material - and my brain is feeling a bit stunned I don't seem to be comprehending things that should be straightforward... a lull? But I'm powering on anyway :)
Love this video, thanks again Alex! Definitely in this phase at the moment, the 'Limited Beliefs' section where they responded in English was so relatable! Keep up the great work :)
So glad it resonated, Connor. Keep up the great work too!
Such a good teacher, I'm really glad Ifound you a couple of years ago. Between you and Geraldine (you know Geraldine right?) my French has improved beyond measure. Thanks. Also worth a smirk to remember that 'plateau' is a French word !
I watched a lot of Geraldine's videos back in 2014-2016. Strange to think how far I've come, but that's what's possible :).
haha and yes, plateau !
Hi, Alex. Love your vid. I can't move past the B1 level because I have no one to practise the language with... 😥
And yet your name is "Online School of English". I'm teasing. :D. The Internet is your best friend in that case. Check out this video for some resources for speaking practice : ua-cam.com/video/rs1H0qdS6gY/v-deo.html
I don't need to go to therapy today. Thank you!
Thank goodness!
Merci votre vidéos sont vraiment compréhensible
Merci à toi encore Stella :)
@@FrenchinPlainSight de rien 😉
Thanks! that was very motivating in the right way!
Yay!
Merci Alex. Il faut que je pratique parler tous les jours!
Oui, au moins un petit peu. Adopte un rythme durable pour toi :)
Great content as always, j'adore merci!!
My pleasure Russ!
This was a really helpful video Alex - many thanks!
You're very welcome, Matt :)
@@FrenchinPlainSight We did have a video call last year but I couldn’t fit with your timetable. You put me in touch with Lucie and I’m doing regular sessions with her and doing the right things. She’s great. Really appreciate your help with that 👍🏻
@@m8dkn Oh yay. You're most welcome.
Bonsoir Alex et merci pour ta video! je connais bien le deuxieme scenario. J’ai trouvé que je m’ameliorais beacoup si je continuais parler en francais meme s’ils me parlaient en anglais. persister en francais dans la conversation, ca marche bien pour le pratiquer!
Bravo à toi ! Oui, continue en français tant que ça ne gêne pas l'autre personne.
I feel like the 4 classes of French I took were like a guided river and now that im done the river opened up to a wide lake with no direction. Sometimes I feel like I don't know what to study to improve.
Ah the dichotomy of classes: they add structure so you have a feeling of order and scope but they can never go on forever. Once you are done with them you are on your own and the enormousness of the challenge can be overwhelming. I aim to help people with this in my programs: to help people navigate the marathon while letting them be the ones that choose their direction on a daily, weekly, yearly timescale.
First of all I suggest adopting the mindset that accepts that it's a long term project and that all that you're doing is taking you forward even if it doesn't feel that way.
Second, make regular goals to check in with your progress and fuel motivation.
Hi Alex, you are completely describing me! . I am at B1 level, I live in France (18 months now) and my wife is french. I don't seem to be improving, I lack confidence, I am scared still everytime a French person speaks to me, I seem to forget everything I try to learn and I keep making silly mistakes! I often feel like giving up......
I totally understand what you say Ian, and many of my students have French partners. I've been able to help them completely change their view of their situation and grow in confidence.
What is one thing from the tips in the video that you think you can try to get out of the rut?
Also, I recommend you join the waiting list for my program (it's a community based program following a step by step curriculum) as it will really help you. learn.frenchinplainsight.com/cfsc-waiting-list/
Otherwise, there's my 1:1 private coaching too where everything is personalised. I'm fully booked right now but there is also a waiting list for that here learn.frenchinplainsight.com/private-french-coaching
HI Alex, I have already joined the waiting list. I think one of the important points you make is to speak more. I do speak French every day but normally just with my wife. It is all too easy to slip back into english though, plus I work remotely, in english, all day. I also fall back on comfortable expressions, and I am not trying hard enough to use new vocab/expressions I have learnt. Basically, I can make every excuse under the sun for my poor French, making excuses is the one thing I get better and better at 🤣
What is the name of the organization which offers the possibility of actual interaction with French speakers? Seems there's virtually no one in Jacksonville, FL who speaks French.
Many people's have the primary goal of learning to speak Frencgh. However, my goal is to be able to comprehend spoken Frnech so that I can watch French UA-cam, TV, cinama. My demotivation is that after so many years of reading and listening to French I am still require text in order to understand anything I am hearing. And since captions for most TV and moives rartely match what is being said, watching more that 30 min of French tv or movies makes me wonder whyt I'm wasting my time.
Great tips and incites. I am still trying to perfect English after 66 years, so why should I expect a high level of success after 3 years of French? I think it boils down to motivation, the need to learn the language, and the ability to ditch the ego when speaking. As you get older and further away from formal education/work, it is harder to accept feedback and correction. Merci.
Often we stress about how to get there that we end up taking little to no action. I know because I've been there a lot. Even little steps, consistent steps, count and take us forward. They don't seem like much after a few days but after months and years the difference is staggering.
Motivation is an emotion. We can't rely on it and have to show up and do the work even when we don't feel like it.
The fact that you've reflected on this is going to take you towards positive action Scott. So, keep it up and let me know what the first thing you decided to do with that refreshed perspective is!
@@FrenchinPlainSight Thanks for responding. Trying to listen to more French "at full speed" and learn to deal with the fact I don't (and maybe never will) understand all of it. RFI is a great resource, along with so many other UA-cam resources such as yours. Keep up the good work! Cheers
Excellent
Thanks Adrienne.
C'est surtout moi, ça. Je sais qu'il faut que je réduise le temps que je dépêche à Duolingo, mais j'en ai peur parce que mes horaires quotidiens vont être derangés et je ne suis pas prêt de les deranger. Et en fait, je crois vraiment que je doit améliorer mon vocabulaire. De tout façon, ça m'a fait 7 minutes d'écriver ce commentaire. 😅
7 minutes! Mais, bravo d'avoir INVESTI 7 minutes de ton temps, de ta vie, en toi et dans ton développement !
Et si tu n'es pas prêt, essaie de faire d'abord un petit changement plutôt que tout changer d'un coup. Petit-à-petit, introduire plus de changements jusqu'à ta routine ressemble plus à ce que tu veux qu'il ressemble.
A tip for those who want to speed their learning: Speak to yourselves in French! This can look like a little autistic and schizophrenic at first hahaha but I assure you that this is a pro tip I use often! Another one is to use flashcards apps to learn words and expressions!
I did this for Russian and Cantonese. I have a high level in both due to this method
Yes! It soon becomes a habit and you don't realise you're doing it. I've figured out many complex sentences just by muttering to myself. It's meditative :p
Je suis définitivement coincé dans le plateau immédiat. 🤦🏾♀️
Je viens de tomber sur ce commentaire. J'en profite pour te demander qu'est-ce qui a changé depuis un an ? :)
So I need wine to speak better? hahahaha Je plaisante :)
Or vodka 😂
Ahh mate , je suis la et tellement frustrant
Maintenant tu as des idées de comment te mettre sur une bonne lancée :)
Alex,
J'adore tes vidéos, mais je ne comprends pas pourquoi tu ne supprimes pas l'anglais. Cette dernière vidéo était horrible, une telle perte de temps. Maintenant, si c'était en français......
Salut John.
Chacun son style. C'est mon style de faire mes coachings principalement en anglais pour que mes abonnés/mes élèves s'identifient totalement à mes paroles, et ça aide beaucoup mes élèves à prendre en confiance.
En tant que créateur/enseignant sur Internet on sait qu'on parle à des personnes avec des préférences diverses, et le style d'une personne ne va pas convenir à chaque individu. Je suis désolé que mes vidéos ne te conviennent pas.
Heureusement, il y a beaucoup de chaines dont les vidéos sont exclusivement en français :). La mienne est 90% en anglais, 10% en français, et pour le moment, ça ne changera pas.
Par contre, une vidéo la semaine prochaine sera en français :).
Great advice!
😉