I'm surprised that several people were conversant with another language in high school but didn't retain it. I guess it's lack of use?

I think whatever language you are learning, it is beneficial to identify the type of learner you are. Reading really helps solidify vocabulary and grammar for me. I learned Spanish a few years ago and started with a Pimsleur audio course, Practice makes perfect workbooks, and an Anki digital vocabulary deck. After a few months of learning on my own, I added an Italki tutor for weekly lessons and 30 minutes of reading a day. The first full length novel was painfully slow with vocabulary look ups but my reading speed steadily increased and now I can read just about anything.

I just started learning French now and am using a similar method but my focus is primarily on reading French (since i won’t get a chance to speak it as often as I use Spanish). Classes through Alliance Francaise are highly recommended.

^"Duolingo" not "chili"... sorry autocorrect.

My daughter did Chili go for 6 months w/o ever having taken French. I studied French for several years in high school and college and won several awards. Guess what? When we visited France last year, several French people complimented her on her "authentic accent". ( No such compliments for me. I had to laugh).

Definitely do alliance Frances if you can (excuse my spelling). I research second language acquisition and none of the apps are a substitute for speaking with real human beings.

Language transfer is the best app I’ve found for learning a new language.

Anonymous wrote:Start Duolingo today! It is fantastic!

One of the rare apps worth using the paid version.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Of course, when I was in France or French Canada, they would immediately switch to English whenever I attempted to speak French. So, there's that.

Don't feel too badly about that. One of my closest friends is French Canadian and when he speaks French in France, they switch to English for him too.

Hahahaha! The Québécois accent is the worst!

Thanks OP! An inspiring subject line and thread!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You could move to Louisiana, marry a Cajun and become a near-native speaker of a French dialect.

Would have a great plan😂 any thoughts on what to do with existing spouse

Louisiana has lots of alligators. Cajun men are very possessive of their women and have creative ways of eliminating rivals.

Anonymous wrote:You could move to Louisiana, marry a Cajun and become a near-native speaker of a French dialect.

Would have a great plan😂 any thoughts on what to do with existing spouse

Anne Arundel Community College has an excellent online French program taught in real time via Zoom. It is geared to seniors but I think there also are classes open to non-seniors.

Anonymous wrote:
Of course, when I was in France or French Canada, they would immediately switch to English whenever I attempted to speak French. So, there's that.

Don't feel too badly about that. One of my closest friends is French Canadian and when he speaks French in France, they switch to English for him too.

Watch French series on Netflix . I’m a big fan of “ The Parisian Agency” ( L’agence ) which chronicles the lives of a French family who started a luxury real estate agency. You get to see beautiful properties, good looking French people , and improve your French!

Start Duolingo today! It is fantastic!