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French is one of the world most prominent languages with over 130 million speakers. That number will only increase with the emergence of African countries with a French-speaking population.
If you need to learn French for business purposes or to read about the flavor of Madeleine cakes from Proust literature classics, you can organize your learning in a couple of steps.
1. Find more intense French lessons for grammar
Grammar is the basis for every language. It's the way to knowing how to construct sentences and adequately use the words. It's not that you'll have to learn grammar basics before diving into the vocabulary.
You can still memorize new words but learning the basics should come as a priority. With a bit of hard work and grammar learning course, you'll be set for success. Try to take an intense class for getting the language foundations.
2. Learn irregular verbs
Like in other Romanic languages, French has regular and irregular verbs. Some of the basic phrases or statements in French need irregular verbs.
You will need faire (to do), aller (to go) or etre (to be) in many sentences in the early stages of language learning. Irregular verbs follow their own rules which you can explore here. Regular verbs are conjugated with strict regulations.
3. Build a vocabulary database
The first thing everyone thinks about when trying to learn a new language is to memorize new words. Words make language, but you also need the rules to pile them into sentences.
There are lots of learning methods, but there is no shortcut, you'll need to do your homework and memorize and practice. You should focus on common vocabulary for day to day situations first. Try to find games (more on that later) and learn words with context.
4. Learn with a live speaker
Ideal path for learning French would be to relocate to let's say Lyon, Paris or Bordeaux, live there for a couple of months and learn with French speakers all around. The next best things are online French tutors.
You will have a native speaker in a live lesson with the opportunity to correct pronunciation and grammar on the go. It is much more effective than learning alone. Human interaction is the best way to learn the language. You can practice with study groups or with Language For Exchange where you can talk with people from various countries.
5. Watch for French Cognates
English and French share a lot of words, but they don't always have the same meaning or pronunciations. That is why it is not recommended to learn French words on the basis of familiarity.
It's much better to associate them to context, images, and situations rather than English words. Cognates (words that are the same in French and English) always have different pronunciation, and more often than not different meanings.
6. Customize your lessons to your language level
Whatever method or course for learning French you choose, it is essential to evaluate your level. Don't go to advanced classes if you haven't tackled the basics. If you already have some French language skills, beginner class could be dull.
This whole article contains beginner to do list. If you are not an absolute beginner, or even if you are, an excellent way to start is with customized lessons plan. One of the most effective options is with an online tutor where you will have a live one on one native speaker with lessons prepared for your language level.
7. Talk French every day
It's vital to have French speakers around when you learn a language, and the same applies to repetition. Try to talk French every day.
You can find teaching groups online, co-students if you attend French classes or talk to yourself. You will have a pass, and no one will think you lost it, after all, it's perfectly normal that you speak French out loud all of a sudden.
8. Play vocabulary games and use apps
Digital transformation has done wonders for human activities and businesses. The same thing with learning languages.
Quiz games and apps are all over the Internet and mobile app stores. It's a fun way to build your vocabulary. One of the best apps for learning words with context is FluentU, and if you are starting from scratch, there is a great online games hub.
9. Read, read, read, and learn noun gender
We mentioned regular and irregular verbs. It's similar to nouns which have as expected two genders. Articles une (a) or la (the) come in front of feminine nouns, and masculine are preceded by un or le.
The problem is that you can't guess the gender, you need to memorize it. The answer is in reading. If you read, read, read and look for nouns and articles that precede them, you will build up your noun database without just repetition and learning without context.
10. Learn about the subjunctive
French use subjunctive to express uncertainty, emotions or other subjective statements. All thing non-factual will go under this category.
The problem is that subjunctive have their own conjugation rules. It's not exactly beginner material, but you should gradually get acquainted with subjunctive to get a grasp and be familiar. Here is an excellent guide on when to use it and rules for conjugation.
11. Focus on everyday relevant vocabulary first
Some of the language learning tips include learning in sentences and using examples from your surroundings. For the beginners, the best advice would be to concentrate on everyday life words, or the ones you will use the most.
Another advice is to learn these basic words with vocabulary stickers. Avoid putting adhesive directly on your food, but stickers on an object around the house is an excellent way to start.