You must have one goal in mind while studying in a French-speaking country: to become fluent in French. It is certainly an effective way to immerse yourself in the language and to feel connected to the local culture to learn a foreign language. Every day, you learn something different, naturally. Nevertheless, let us not forget the structure, rules and exceptions are always included in a language.
With the right combination of valuable instruments, commitment and proactive attitude, not only will your French skills improve, but you will also set solid foundations to build on what you have learned and continue your journey to fluency even after you return to your country. Before and after studying abroad, there are many tools and techniques you can use to support you on your journey. There are countless choices out there, but it is part of what makes a tool successful to know what type of learner you are and which approach you are most comfortable with.
Do what’s best for you and enjoy your journey of fluency most of all! Let’s go ahead with fundamentals. Especially when you are a beginner, a complete book is a blessing.
Keeping your grammar and spelling in check is also important, especially if you’re emailing professors or texting your new friends in French. There’s no better way to improve your pronunciation than to speak with a native speaker, but you can find some useful tools if you need more practice on your own or if you don’t have the opportunity to meet French speakers before going abroad. In particular, this applies to French, despite the abundance of silent letters, glides, links, etc. However, the liaisons are distinct, pronouns and articles seem to disappear and… Well, you get that idea.
This choice could be the one that suits you the most if you’re an auditory or visual learner. You can take an online course from Beginner to Fluency using a wide variety of resources, including audio and video lessons, flashcards, e-books, etc. If you have a busy schedule, and want to set your own time limits and learn from anywhere at your own pace, online courses are also the perfect option.
Whatever tools you choose, don’t forget that a valuable opportunity is to study abroad. To make the most of your training, forget about English and get involved in learning activities and clubs in your local community. It’s a clever way to avoid falling into the “English pit” when you’re going outside, even making friends domestically.
You will be given the chance to move a step closer to fluency if you make the effort to become an active learner and put into action what you have been taught by the more academic tools listed above. And note that just before you leave, once you are back, learning begins and goes on!
There are a lot of resources that at any given point can help you keep track of your learning experience. Get out of your comfort zone, enjoy your studies abroad and use a wide range of resources to make the most of your experience.
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