http://french.about.com/od/lessons/ss/checklist_7.

htm

Learn French Checklist - Month 1

Start learning French basics and work your way up. This is month 1 of a free, six-month online French learning course. Week 1 Vo Greetings Review: ___ Vo Introductions Review: ___ Gr French nouns Review: ___ Gr Definite article Review: ___ Vb French verbs Review: ___ Vb Present Review: ___ Pr Alphabet Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Week 2 Vo Essential French vocabulary Review: ___ Vo Politeness Review: ___ Gr Subject pronouns Review: ___ Gr Tu vs vous Review: ___ Vb -ER verbs Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Pr Introduction to vowels Review: ___ Pr A Review: ___ Pr I Review: ___ Pr O Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Review: ___

Done: ___

Notes:

Week 3 Vo Numbers Review: ___ Vo Time Review: ___ Gr Il y a Review: ___ Gr C'est and il est Review: ___ Vb Avoir, tre, Faire Review: ___ Pr E Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Week 4 Vo Calendar Review: ___ Vo Dates Review: ___ Gr Indefinite article Review: ___ Vb -IR verbs Review: ___ Pr U Review: ___ Topics Gr - Grammar Pr - Pronunciation Vb - Verb Vo - Vocabulary User guide: Each lesson includes many links to other pages - should you follow them? Need help? Ask your French questions on the French for Beginners forum. French proficiency test Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Learn French Checklist - Month 2

Start learning French basics and work your way up. This is month 2 of a free, six-month online French learning course.

Week 5 Vo Weather Review: ___ Gr Adjectives Review: ___ Vb Aller Review: ___ Pr H Review: ___ Pr Accents Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Week 6 Vo Family Review: ___ Gr Questions Review: ___ Vb -RE verbs Review: ___ Pr M Review: ___ Pr N Review: ___ Pr Nasal vowels Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Week 7 Vo Food Review: ___ Vo Restaurant Review: ___ Gr Partitive article Review: ___ Vb Venir Review: ___ Pr B Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Pr F Review: ___ Pr P Review: ___ Pr Z Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Week 8 Vo Shopping Review: ___ Gr Negatives Review: ___ Vb Reflexive verbs Review: ___ Pr D Review: ___ Pr L Review: ___ Topics Gr - Grammar Pr - Pronunciation Vb - Verb Vo - Vocabulary User guide: Each lesson includes many links to other pages - should you follow them? Need help? Ask your French questions on the French for Beginners forum. French proficiency test Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Learn French Checklist - Month 3

Start learning French basics and work your way up. This is month 3 of a free, six-month online French learning course. Week 9 Vo Clothes Review: ___ Vo Body Review: ___ Gr Possessive de Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Vb Pass compos Review: ___ Pr C Review: ___ Pr G Review: ___ Pr X Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Week 10 Vo Colors Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes:

Gr Possessive adjectives Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes:

Vb Stem-changing verbs Review: ___ Pr S Review: ___ Pr T Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Week 11 Vo Home Review: ___ Vo Furniture Review: ___ Gr Tout Review: ___ Vb Imparfait Review: ___ Pr J Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Week 12 Vo School Review: ___ Vo Office Done: ___ Notes:

Review: ___ Gr Prepositions Review: ___

Done: ___

Notes:

Done: ___

Notes:

Vb Savoir vs connatre Review: ___ Pr V Review: ___ Pr W Review: ___ Topics Gr - Grammar Pr - Pronunciation Vb - Verb Vo - Vocabulary User guide: Each lesson includes many links to other pages - should you follow them? Need help? Ask your French questions on the French for Beginners forum. French proficiency test Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Learn French Checklist - Month 4

Start learning French basics and work your way up. This is month 4 of a free, six-month online French learning course. Week 13 Vo Personality Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes:

Gr Demonstrative adjectives Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes:

Vb Pass compos vs imparfait Review: ___ Pr K Review: ___ Pr Q Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Week 14 Vo Mood Review: ___ Gr Direct object Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Vb Partir, sortir, dormir Review: ___ Pr Y Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Week 15 Vo Professions Review: ___ Gr Indirect object Review: ___ Vb Imperative Review: ___ Pr R Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Week 16 Vo Hobby, sports, games Review: ___ Gr Y and en Review: ___ Vb Dire, crire, lire Review: ___ Vb Future Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Pr Pronunciation review Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes:

Topics Gr - Grammar Pr - Pronunciation Vb - Verb Vo - Vocabulary User guide: Each lesson includes many links to other pages - should you follow them? Need help? Ask your French questions on the French for Beginners forum.

Learn French Checklist - Month 5

Start learning French basics and work your way up. This is month 5 of a free, six-month online French learning course. Week 17

Vo Quantities Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes:

Gr Comparatives and Superlatives Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes:

Vb Vouloir, Pouvoir, Devoir Review: ___ Pr Liaisons Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Week 18 Vo Languages + Nationalities Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes:

Gr Possessive pronouns Review: ___ Vb Conditional Review: ___ Pr Elision / E muet Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Week 19 Vo On the Phone Review: ___ Gr Adverbs Review: ___ Vb Si clauses Review: ___ Pr Contractions Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Week 20 Vo Love language Review: ___ Gr Capitalization Review: ___ Vb Subjunctive Review: ___ Pr Rhythm Review: ___ 1Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Topics Gr - Grammar Pr - Pronunciation Vb - Verb Vo - Vocabulary User guide: Each lesson includes many links to other pages - should you follow them? Need help? Ask your French questions on the French for Beginners forum. French proficiency test

Learn French Checklist - Month 6

Start learning French basics and work your way up. This is month 6 of a free, six-month online French learning course. Week 21 Vo Physical descriptions Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes:

Gr Double object pronouns Review: ___ Vb Pluperfect Review: ___ Pr Enchanement Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Week 22 Vo Toiletries Review: ___ Gr Conjunctions Review: ___ Vb Mood Review: ___ Pr Silent letters Review: ___ Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Week 23 Vo Plus Review: ___ Gr Stressed pronouns Review: ___ Vb Infinitive Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

Review: ___ Pr Tonic accent Review: ___

Done: ___

Notes:

Done: ___

Notes:

Week 24 Vo French vocabulary in English Review: ___ Gr Relative Pronouns Review: ___ Vb Voice Review: ___ Pr Affective accent Review: ___ Topics Gr - Grammar Pr - Pronunciation Vb - Verb Vo - Vocabulary User guide: Each lesson includes many links to other pages - should you follow them? Need help? Ask your French questions on the French for Beginners forum. Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes: Done: ___ Notes:

How to Learn French

Edited by AnnaLaura Brown, , Ilya A. Pantyuhin, Zack and 58 others

3
Article EditDiscuss

French is a language spoken fluently by approximately 175 million people worldwide. Although originating in France, today it is spoken in countries all over the world, and officially in a total of 29. It is the second most frequently taught language in the world after English--thus, the reasons to learn it abound. This guide will help you on your journey to speak French.
EditSteps

Getting Acquainted

1. 1

Buy a dictionary. This is le premier step to starting a new language. Whenever you run into un problme, you'll be able to get back on the right path within seconds.
o

The Collins Robert French Unabridged Dictionary or the LaRousse Concise French-English Dictionary are both good standards. Of course, if you're not thinking to get too heavily involved, a pocket dictionary will suffice. There are tons of websites out there that act as dictionaries. Be careful! They're not always correct. Wordreference.com is a good place to start. Always exercise caution when translating complete sentences.

2. 2
Take advantage of technology. With all les options out there, this is easier than ever. Of course, your local library is a sturdy option, but you can find resources in the comfort of your own home.
o

o o

iTunes offers free 24/7 radio stations and podcasts that are in French (some for beginners!) and most cable packages will have at least occasional French programming. There are many mobile apps that can help you memorize words - the most popular one is LingLing based on spaced repetition - you can spend 20 minutes per day to memorize 750 words monthly. YouTube has dozens upon dozens of resources for French beginners. Amlie isn't the only French movie out there. Go to your local video store or do some research on the net--sometimes more obscure ones (or documentaries) can be found for free. View your favorite English movies with French voiceovers or subtitles. Even if you don't know French at all, picking a movie you're familiar with will help establish context for the language. Watch the "French in Action" program on your local public broadcasting station.

3. 3
Label objects in your home. Sure, you sat down to memorize words like "chair," "window," and "bed," but a week later they escaped you. Labeling the objects in your home creates long-term memories that can't be easily forgotten. Remember to include the gender! French has two: masculine and feminine. This will be handy when you want to refer to it by the pronoun later. It's "la chaise," "la fenetre," and "le lit," by the way. Go grab your pen now! Include the pronuncation on the side, if you need help remembering. l'ordinateur - lor-dee-nah-tur - Computer la chane hi fi - shen-hi-fi - Stereo la tlvision - tay-lay-vee-zee-ohn - Television le rfrigrateur - ray-free-zhay-rah-tir - Refrigerator le conglateur - kon-zhay-lah-tur - Freezer

o o

la cuisinire - kwee-zeen-yehr - Stove

Start a Program

1. 1
Buy a learning tool. Some require a hefty fee, some do not. Ask around for une opinionor if a friend has a set of CDs or a program you can borrow. Popular options are Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur, or Michele Thomas. Every program is best for a different type of learner.
o

Pimsleur does not give you a book. It's a set of CDs--good for aural learners and those with long commutes. It does use English and allows you to translate. It utilizes backchaining, as in, "porte," "la porte," "-ez la porte," "Fermez la porte," to practice pronunciation. Rosetta Stone is a computer program and does not allow any English and relies heavily on pictures. It plays memory games and is ideal for visual and sensory learners. Michele Thomas (on CD and YouTube) advocates a slightly different style of teaching. He emphasizes patterns in language and utilizing cognates. You start with one basic sentence, such as, "Je vais au restaurant," (I am going to the restaurant.) and he leads you to, "Je vais au restaurant ce soir parce que c'est mon anniversaire." (I am going to the restaurant tonight because it's my birthday.) Yourvocabulaire expands as you build on the blocks you already have.

2. 2
Take a class. The best way to learn a language (apart from living in the country, of course) is to practice every day with others. Taking a class forces learning into your schedule, holds you accountable, and gives you resources in others that you wouldn't otherwise have.
o

Check out your local community college or university. Though the class might be more expensive, the perks of being a student and having access to the facilities lessen the blow to your wallet. Find a language school. These classes are often much cheaper, smaller, and offered on nights or weekends. If you live in a fairly diverse area, one shouldn't be too far away.

3. 3
Get a tutor. The internet is a beautiful thing. Loads of people are looking for an easy way to make an extra $50 a week. You can cater the learning to your schedule and develop your own curriculum.
o

Don't let just anyone be your tutor. Just because you can speak the language does not mean you can teach it. Aim for someone who has done it before, not someone with 4 years of high school French.

4. 4
Join a group. Odds are there are loads of people just like you of all demographics and ages. Visit your local area colleges or language institutes for information. Practice with someone. You can find a penpal online or you can visit your local chapter of the Alliance Franaise. Delve deep into your online contacts for anyone who might be able to move you forward--that friend from high school who studied abroad? Your cousin Alberta who moved to Vancouver? Do whatever you can to guarantee success.

Keep At It

1. 1
Practice every day. Learning a language is unlike learning any other subject. Your knowledge must build and become as intrinsic as possible. Practicing every day is the only way you'll be able to maintain and improve your skills.
o o

Incorporate review in your learning until it's solid. You cannot build complex sentences if you've forgotten how to structure simple ones. Even if it's just for half an hour, it's worth it. Get your mind thinking en francais. Developing habits makes it harder to quit.

2. 2
Learn cognates. Depending on your source, about 30% of all English words originate from French[1]. If you're just beginning, an easy way to dive in is to familiarize yourself with the concepts.
o

Often, the "fancier" verb is French and the "normal" verb is German. Think "start" versus "commence"; "help" versus "aid"; "understand" versus "comprehend." The French for those verbs is, respectively, in their infinitive form, "commencer," "aider," and "comprendre." Certain word endings are giveaways that they're French. Think words with "ion," "-ance," or "ite." Television, billion, religion, nuance, endurance, granite, opposite -- those are all French words. Not English. French. Well, English, too.

3. 3
Memorize new phrases. Never let your vocabulary stagnate. As your knowledge grows, take time to incorporate new phrases into your phrasal pool.
o

Think of a new topic. If you're lacking in time vocabulary, zero-in on that department. If you need to learn the names of food, concentrate on that. Expand yourself. Quelle heure est-il? (What time is it?)

Bon, euh, je ne sais pas...(Uhh, I don't know...) Oh, non! C'est dj 17 h! Je dois etudier mon vocabulaire franais! (Oh no! It's already 5:oo! I have to study my French vocabulary!)

4. 4
Review verb conjugations. The biggest difference between English and French is that French conjugates their verbs to match the tense and subject. Generally speaking, verb charts go in "I, you, he/she/it, we, you (plural), they" order.
o o o o o

Start with the simple present of -er verbs (manger - to eat): Je mange - tu manges - il/elle/on mange - nous mangeons - vous mangez ils/elles mangent Simple present of -ir verbs (choisir - to choose): Je choisis - tu choisis - il/elle/on choisit - nous choissisons - vous choississez ils/elles choississent Simple present of -re verbs (vendre - to sell): Je vends - tu vends - il/elle/on vend - nous vendons - vous vendez - ils/ells vendent Often, the ending of words is not pronounced. "Je choisis" sounds more like "Zhuh schwazee," and "ils mangent" sounds like, "eel monge." Learn the other tenses later. Once you've mastered the simple present, continue onto the pass compos (past tense).

5. 5
Think out loud. If you're around others, they might get irritated, but it's worth it! They don't have to understand you, only you have to understand you. It's a bonne ide, isn't it?
o

French is a language that's highly encorporated into English. In addition to using simple phrases like, "Bonjour!", "Merci beaucoup," or "Je ne sais quoi" that some people know, use slightly more difficult ones when talking to yourself -- or let your roommates catch on! O est mon sac? - Where is my bag? Je veux boire du vin. - I want to drink some wine. Je t'aime, toi. - I love you. If you say to yourself, "Oh, I see an apple!" translate it to French - ". Je vois une pomme". Practice this whenever you get a chance - in the car, in bed, in the bathroom, everywhere.

6. 6
Travel to a French-speaking country. If living there isn't an option, then visiting is the second-best. If you have the finances and ability to take les vacances, bring your books and CDs with you!

Talk to the locals and experience the culture. Sitting at the McDonald's next to the Louvre (or the Starbucks, for that matter) won't exactly get you the educational or cultural experience you're looking for. You don't have to go to France to find a wealth of French speakers. However, know what dialect you're looking to mirror; going to Quebec will expose you to a French culture, but you'll hear Quebecois down the street--and it may be hard to understand!

EditVideo EditTips Print or buy a French calendar and replace your regular calendar. So whenever you look at the date, you'd quickly learn French numbers, days, and months. And when you write in events, look it up in your dictionary and write in French. Understand that learning a language is a full time commitment. If you muck around with it and only learn bits and pieces, you will likely regret this later in life when you actually want to converse in French. Make French the first thing you see on your computer. Get your homepage to be a French website. At the store, count how many fruits you're putting in the cart in French. Invest in a good Bescherelle. This is a book with every verb for quick and easy conjugation. French speakers swear by these. Have a positive attitude. Sometimes, you may be discouraged and forget why you wanted to speak French in the first place. The reality that 175 million people worldwide speak French is a good motivation. Also, think how few

people are monolingual these days - two or more languages is more and more the norm. Consider France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Monaco, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Lebanon, Qubec, New Brunswick, or Louisiana, among others, for your travel destination. You can find native French speakers on many websites, such as Students Of The World. It'll be easier to make friends and improve your French. Ask them to improve your skills and you'll teach them English in return.

EditWarnings Learning a language is a difficult, time-consuming endeavor. You will get nothing out of it if you cannot fully commit yourself. Watch for masculine and feminine as well as plural nouns for verb and adjective matching.