I am on this self-betterment kick lately and I've decided I want to learn another foreign language (I already speak Spanish pretty well). I have decided on taking up French.

Can anyone recommend a specifc self-taught French language program (e.g., specific books/tapes, etc.) that they found helpful? I am really just looking to get my feet wet initially.

Hi - Rosetta Stone puts out good interactive CDs. However, I only recommend it if you have a basis of grammar first, as it does not teach grammer. It teaches you with pictures and repeating. I here Pamsleur (sp?) is pretty good, and probably better off as the cost is less.

I suggest the Oxford Take Off in French series. It is a perfect get-your-feet-wet course. Of course, you'll become addicted! It also depends on your learning style. I have to see and hear the language. There are other options for audio learners. Pimsleur is supposed to be the best (also VERY pricey). Check amazon.com for the books, and you'll see lists which people have posted of the combination of books most helpful to them. Have fun!

I'm learning Spanish now so have looked into some language sets, although I do everything because I like to go to class myself (I'm doing self-taught work plus a class).

I know Pimsleur is recommended a lot and I've tried to get it but it's really backed up at my library, however, I did find out that this system has no written text! So, while you may learn some spoken, casual language, be aware of that and decide if it suits your purpose. I am also going to use that as an adjunct to my other things, but would never use that alone because I want to be able to read and write a language. I actually have had several years of Spanish but a long time ago, so am brushing up (a lot).

Now Spanish pronunciation and spelling are simpler than French, but I know how difficult it can be to understand certain consonants on recordings or the telephone (b,p,t,d, etc sound similar, as to f,s) It may be fine to get your feet wet, but I think if you really want to learn it seriously, a class might be better for starting out and then you can continue more deeply on your own. That's just my preference, as I learn better with written and visual methods myself, and more structured lessons, as understanding the grammar makes it all a lot easier for me and transferrable.

I also just think it is more fun to learn in a class with others and a good teacher, plus there is more incentive when you have homework, whereas starting on your own by yourself, you might get discouraged or let it slip.

I am on Pimsleur French III and have enjoyed it but wouldn't say it teaches you to speak fluently. You do learn correct pronunciation, however. I can generally understand more than I can speak French so guess I need real life practice.

I have checked Pimsleur cd's out at the library and have also bought them, used them, and resold them on e-bay.

The trick is to use the cd's as instructed - you need an uninterrupted 1/2 hour. The idea is that you learn language as you did as a child and you aren't supposed to forget.

I never do them in the car unless it is a repeat as just like talking on a cell phone, it can be distracting and I don't seem to learn as well in the car. I have an inexpensive portable cd player with a pause button which for myself is needed (I like more time between repeating phrases).

I have also done German I, and am on Italian I. Each time I do a set, learning a language becomes easier. I guess your brain begins to get trained to learn. I also find it amusing that I tend to repond sometimes in French when doing the other language cd's!

You shouldn't do two languages at the same time but complete one set and then the other.

Thanks all for the responses. Or should I say "merci"?

I am doing the Primsleur Russian CD's and just began Russian 2. I never thought I would get this far when I started this a couple of months ago.

I do do the CD's in the car when I am commuting or really anytime I am in the car, but I never play them just once. I generally play them 3 times before moving on to the next lesson. I did have a year of Russian in high school (over 30 years ago), so I remember some things but not really very much.

There is an accompanying book of readings for each level but it is simple stuff. The emphasis is on getting around as a tourist or businessman. There is a lot of repetition so that you can get the idea how a certain type of sentence is structured and then correctly guess how to use other verbs and nouns in an analogous sentence.

What I like about Primsleur is that I can set my own pace. I do not have to set aside class time in the same time slot each week. If I am busy one day and don't get to listen to a CD, that is OK too.

When I started this I bought only the first 8 CD's of Russian 1 figuring I would just do those. If you order those, you do get a discount towards buying the entire Russian 1 if you order directly from Simon & Schuster. Moreover, the list price is currently 30% off for CD's if you deal with them directly.

The CD's are expensive. That is why I only bought 8 of them initially because I didn't think I would get hooked and did not want to spend money on something I would end up not using. However, I did get hooked (as you can see).

I expect to have a grasp of basic tourist vocabulary by the time I go on my trip in June. I do not, however, expect to complete Russian 2 until after I return (assuming motivation does not disappear).

When I finish with the Russian, I want to do the Spanish as I really need Spanish for work. It should be much easier than Russian as I minored in French in college and still speak it passably.

Whatever program you decide to use, you must use it consistently or it will not work. The same goes for any class you take as well. There is, unfortunately, no easy way to learn foreign languages. Unless you are a baby and brought up bilingually, it is simply hard work.

I started with Pimsleur French I (the full 16 cd 30 lesson edition) about 8 months ago, then did French II and recently finished French III. I have been very satisfied with Pimsleur. After finishing each course I then repeated it two more times. The first time around each half hour lesson took me an hour to an hour and a half as I would repeat the instuctor's version over and over until I was sure I got it right. Pimsleur's courses are based on a unique timed repetition formula that keeps everything fresh in your mind until you really get it embedded in your brain. There is just a very brief text with each lesson. Pimsleur does not stress written text but I found that I learned best if I took notes on each new word or phrase I thought I might not remember and I used a French dictionary as a supplement. I need to see the words in print to really learn. I then took my hand written vocabulary, typed it into MS Excel, sorted it alphabetically and spell checked it in the French version of Excel.

For me the secret to retaining it is after finishing all three courses I keep reviewing French III by doing every third cd every couple of days. I can now do a cd in 30 minutes as I never have to stop the cd to repeat anything. I thought the 2 year Spanish course was a snap a hundred years ago in school but learning French has been satisfying but a bit tough for me but I promised myself that I would speak French before I die. I am nearly at peace with my creator now.

Good luck (bonne chance)
Larry J

You might check your local college or community college. It's fun to take the course with others and have a chance to really converse.

We had an adult ed course in town for a while but everyone wanted Spanish so they dropped French.

The nice thing about taking a college course is that you can use their lab as much as you want. They often have fun activities too. We had a French film festival.

Good luck.