carole

I am going to France this summer and have never taken French. I've been listening to a Berlitz tape ad nauseum and now know a bit but I need to find other resources. Do you have any suggestions for tapes, books, CDs, computer programs, etc.?

StCirq

Carole: <BR> <BR>First of all, congratulations on taking the initiative to learn some French before traveling to France - your efforts will be amply rewarded. If your local cable TV or other programming ever shows a series called "France in Action," filmed originally for Yale University students, tune into it and follow it religiously - it's excellent. Barring that, see if you can find the Champs Elysées tape series - I never used them (grew up speaking French and didn't need them) - but my husband and daughter have found them to be great! <BR>Our Borders and Barnes & Noble here in the DC area have them, so maybe that's a start.

Kathy

Hi Carole, <BR>There are a couple of specific cassette series you might want to try. <BR> <BR>French for Travelers in the Fodor's Languages for Travelers Series might be useful. <BR> <BR>The Olivia & Hill Press (you can reach them through their web site www.oliviahill.com) has a series called Entre Nous that may be useful, as well as a book/cassettes on French slang (l'argot). The Olivia & Hill Press is run by a French woman & her British husband, both former professors of French language & literature. <BR> <BR>Simon & Schuster may have something along the CD and/or CD rom line, but it might be pricey. Their toll-free phone number is 800-223-2348 & you will get a little audio menu when you phone; just hang in their for one of their reps. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps & you have a great trip, <BR>Kathy

Chris Philhower

Nothing can really prepare you for being there and hearing it, but you can avoid being completely shell-shocked. Try putting an ad in the local college or high school paper for someone to speak French with, or try to find a tutor (maybe the high school's French teacher.) <BR> <BR>Just remember -- you may be able to ask the question in French, but they'll answer you in French too! The French speak quickly, and it's tough for me to keep up (but, I am an old dog and this is a new trick). But for the most part, you will be answered in English -- mercifully, they know you're "not from around here." <BR> <BR>Have fun! The French really do appreciate you trying their language. It amuses them too. Just don't be too sensitive about it. You'll get blank stares, you'll get a lot of the tilted head questioning look, but mostly you'll get smiles and the help you need (after the chuckles.) <BR> <BR>And have the thing that you want or need written down (if it's difficult to pantomime.) Especially addresses for cab drivers! Don't count on people being able to understand you. <BR> <BR>It sounds horrible and difficult -- but it's not. Just a few tricks I've learned and observations I've made. <BR> <BR>I know you'll have a great time!

Lucy

Wow, I'm not Carole but its so reassuring to read such encouraging messages - thank-you StCirq, Kathy & Chris! I too am learning French (doing a weekly class) & am trying to build my confidence in using it so once I'm over there later this year I don't wimp out & just resort to only using English! I'm glad to hear the effort to learn some of the language will be more than worth it!! Cheers!

francesca

The Pimsleur series of language tapes are really effective. Go to a French movie and see how much you understand without looking at the sub titles (renting videos at home could be helpful, too).

Rex

In case you have trouble finding the Yale/WGBH telecourse mentioned by StCirq, it's actually called "French in Action", not "France in Action". <BR> <BR>See http://www.pbs.org/als/guide/coursel...ourses/french/ for more info. <BR> <BR>Here in Columbus (Ohio), you can watch two back to back episodes every Tuesday evening (and other day times throughout the week I think) on Educable (not on WOSU, our local PBS affiliate), and even get college credit, if you do all the associated exercises (requires buying books, other materials, I suppose). <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Lori

Good for you for learning some of the language before you go. I found that although most people in the cities do speak English, they really appreciate you trying. I found a great website - www.parlo.com that e-mails language lessons on a weekly basis. They have Spanish and French and probably some others, I just don't remember. You don't hear the pronunciation, but they give you the phonetics for each word. They have a topic a week, one week it was sports, one week it was shopping (important for travelers). Try it and have a wonderful time.

dan woodlief

I seldom see them mentioned, but I love the Vocabulearn tapes. It is hard to learn a language in a short time, and those conversation-based tapes are so hard to listen to in the car. The Vocabulearn tapes are great for building vocabulary and learning how words are pronounced. One section will give a word or phrase in French and give you a second or so to think before providing the translation. The next section will do the same with other words, but give you the English first.

Tracy

Coucou Carole, <BR> <BR>Check out BBC Education's homepage for learning French: <BR> <BR>http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/langu...ch/index.shtml <BR> <BR>Lotsa good realmedia clips from BBC shows . . . I just did their Spanish stuff for a trip and it really helped out! Good luck =)

SharonM

Perhaps you still have time to take a continuing education "Conversational French" class at a local university/college? I think it always helps to hear/converse first hand... <BR> <BR>Tapes are excellent in addition to, or if not possible, in lieu of taking a class... <BR> <BR>How long will you be in France?

janice

I took classes at our local French Alliance - pretty helpful. I can also warmly endorse the Pimsleur tapes - they're not cheap, but very very useful. Anything you learn will put you miles ahead, and will be well appreciated. <BR>My boyfriend's favorite tip: the most useful things to know are food and numbers.

Carole

Thanks for all your useful information. I will certainly take advantage of your suggestions. I will be in Paris a week and Provence for six days. I'll keep working on my French until we arrive on July 16th. <BR> Au revoir (I think that's how you spell it. Remember, I listen to a tape and don't read while driving.)