Language brain implants are apparently on their way, but they’re not quite there yet, so for now, learning a language is still one of those skills that take time to master…
Language learning can often be viewed as a theoretical endeavour where one day, it’ll just click. And that can be true when you are 100% immersed in a country where no-one speaks your language. We learn so quickly when there’s no other option!
In our lovely Haut-Giffre Valley however, it’s very difficult to achieve the immersion if you’re an English speaker. Partly because there are more and more English speakers here – mainly though, it’s because most people speak English and will try and “help”.
So if it doesn’t just click, and if you can’t get that needed immersion, how can you learn?
Here are some thoughts that will hopefully help. I’ve been teaching French in this valley for 10 years now, and I’ve seen what it takes to make progress.
In my mind, a good learner is good at learning anything. Whether it’s maths, French, juggling, mountain-biking, skiing, swimming, coding, cooking! A good learner understands certain things are compulsory.
Approach & mindset
“I have to learn” or “I want to learn”
“This is going to be fun” or “this is going to be a pain”
Approaching French with a positive mindset will make all the difference. Not everyone finds learning languages exciting, but learning a new skill, however, is always a positive. Sometimes all you need is a strong voice in your head to say “yes, let’s do this” and a smile, to set things right.
Expectations
Set some clear goals based on what you can do, and what you can’t do, where you feel comfortable, and where you don’t, and don’t expect to ride down the black run on day one if you’ve never been on skis!
Learn to recognise and think about the little wins. Yes, you can always be better, know more, but so can a world champion! Relax, everyone has to start somewhere, just aim for the next level up, not the next 10. Recognise where you need to be, and discuss this with your teacher.
One thing we hear a lot is “I just want conversational French, to chat with people”. While a very fair goal, this doesn’t give a lot of guidance to your teacher… try to think about the subject of those conversations: do you just want to have quick word about the weather to be a friendly neighbour, or do you want to speak about local politics and mass tourism? What subjects are you likely to talk about? This will tell us the vocabulary and grammar that you need, and it will help your teacher to plan lessons that are relevant to your interests, thus making the lessons more interesting for you, which in turn makes them easier to memorise!
Preparation and tools
I ride mountain bikes a lot. I’ve learned that having a nice merino top when the weather is changeable makes my ride up the mountain a lot more pleasant. A pretty helmet and comfy shoes too. And when I get new equipment, I want to use it. Get yourself a new notebook and a couple of coloured pens for your French class or get that nice satchel back out of the cupboard! Download a new app to make your own flashcards, buy a little journal to start a French diary! Keeping your photocopies crumpled up and coffee stained at the bottom of your bag will not make you want to read them again, will it?
Accountability
Our students are accountable to their teachers, they must do their homework and show up at lessons. That’s the bare minimum. When I go to the gym, there’s a lot more chance I’ll definitely go at 5.30 on a Thursday if I’m meeting my friend there. How about teaming up with a friend who’s on a similar learning journey? They could even be learning something else than French! Meet up and chat about what you’ve learned this week – test each other over a coffee – make it a new habit, something you’re doing to help each other, set it in your calendar each week. Or simply tell someone you’re going to do some French practice and get them to check on your progress – to ask you if you’ve done it. Accountability is a pretty word for guilt tripping but hey, whatever works and pushes you to make learning French a habit…
Repetition/habit:
Learn to do a trick once – whatever it is. Then don’t do it for a week or two. Can you do it again? Maybe if you’re a natural – but mainly, a lack of repetition will simply cancel your acquisition. Practice practice practice – repeat repeat repeat! Go home after your lesson, and write down your new vocab on the fridge door – make 1 sentence with the new grammar, explain to somebody what you’ve learned, talk to yourself in French while doing tasks at home – we know everyone does that 😉- ask for directions to people in French even when you don’t need them – add a little something to your “bonjour” at the supermarket till – see every situation as an opportunity to use your French. The more you do it, the more natural it’ll become, the less you will hesitate to start your sentence, the less you’ll care if you make a little mistake if the person understands you and gives you the response you need! Understand you are not after perfection – you’re after communication.
At Avancée, we aim to personalise your course and work with you on your objectives. We have the techniques to help you understand the tough grammar, to help you play with and use new vocabulary… But you know how your memory works, and what your strengths and weaknesses are. The teacher and the learner need to team up to reach the objective, so have a little think about this, make some notes and come and discuss it with us.
Let’s make a plan to help you get ahead with your French! Why not download our learning plan ?