How hard is it to learn French by myself?

January 5, 2009 by admin 

I've checked around my area, and there is no French learning classes or anything like that.

So, exactly how hard is it?
Is it possible to learn French by myself, or will I need help?

Is there any books or websites you could recommend to me?

Thanks!

It's not impossible- so please don't be put off by some of the answers. I've always found the 'teach yourself…' books to be very good initially, and also excellent value for money. As you have access to the internet, log on to some French radio/tv stations and attempt to imitate the pronunciation. Try to find a pen pal as well. Save up, and in a few months book a trip to France with a friend to see how much progress you've made, and to rekindle your desire.
Above all, have fun, and don't give up- practise makes perfect, you'll get there in the end if you're determined.
Bonne chance!

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Comments

8 Responses to “How hard is it to learn French by myself?”

  1. Foobix on January 5th, 2009 11:31 pm

    Oui monsiuer,jahibit a glesgey in ecosse.
    References :

  2. goddess on January 5th, 2009 11:54 pm

    You can learn to read it but the key to speaking is pronunciation. You have to hear to pronounce.
    References :

  3. lenssom on January 6th, 2009 12:22 am

    I had a real problem for years learning french. then I lived in france for six month and now speak it fluently it comes so natural when you participate in the culture.
    References :

  4. Americo G on January 6th, 2009 12:44 am

    Very hard. Maybe you can learn by yourself grammar and vocabulary. You can be able to read (to understand) written french. But for speaking and oral comprehension you need a teacher. French prononciation is very hard to learn, you can't do that with books.
    References :

  5. JMMK on January 6th, 2009 1:31 am

    Michel Thomas Cds are supposed to be good. http://www.champs-elysees.com/products/french/michel-thomas.aspx
    References :
    I work in a library and they get borrowed a lot and ppl say they are good.

  6. Tizzie on January 6th, 2009 2:09 am

    My French isn't bad at all. I started to learn at school and took it at A level. As I enjoy the language, I have retained it. However, there is no way I could have learned it by myself. I do hope you find a class if you are serious about learning it.
    References :

  7. bloom on January 6th, 2009 2:22 am

    I take french class and it's easy but you need a teacher who can speak the language fluently. Reading it is not hard but it's the pronunciation that is hard. some of the words are not pronounced the way the word is spelled at all. even the abc's sound different. but they do look the same. they have some cd's that can help you.
    References :

  8. Gaz on January 6th, 2009 3:03 am

    It's not impossible- so please don't be put off by some of the answers. I've always found the 'teach yourself…' books to be very good initially, and also excellent value for money. As you have access to the internet, log on to some French radio/tv stations and attempt to imitate the pronunciation. Try to find a pen pal as well. Save up, and in a few months book a trip to France with a friend to see how much progress you've made, and to rekindle your desire.
    Above all, have fun, and don't give up- practise makes perfect, you'll get there in the end if you're determined.
    Bonne chance!
    References :

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