Today we will discuss some of the most productive and cost-efficient ways to help you design your very own French course from the comfort of your home.
But is it really doable? Let’s find out.
How can I incorporate French lessons into my home?
We cannot fit a beautiful language like French into a standard schedule for 2 hours based on the rule book and classrooms.
We need to incorporate all that we learn into our daily routine to completely immerse ourselves in French. It has to become a small part of everything we do at home. How do we do that?
1. Begin your day with the French news
It is a great idea to start your day with a cup of French news to keep yourself on track with current events and affairs among French society.
The contents of some of the most popular newspapers like Le Monde, Le Figaro, and Libération may seem very elevated and complex as they target the readers who require an in-depth analysis of serious issues.
When we are reading something in our target language at the initial stages, we reach out for simple yet informative news that is short and crisp. So, it is preferable to reach out to the newspapers that are primarily aimed at kids and teens.
Le Petit Quotidien and Mon Quotidien are publications aimed to develop the habit of reading among kids aged between 6 to 10 years old. Therefore, it uses simple vocabulary to convey complex issues.
It is followed by three other publications called L’eco, L’actu, and 1 jour 1 actu that are aimed at teens and can be suitable for intermediate learners. You can access their articles for free with a guest invitation via their website.
Once you get a solid grip of the frequently used terms and topics you can upgrade to publications like Le Parisien and France 24 to further develop your vocabulary.
2. Short workout sessions with French grammar
Workout seems like a daunting task that we avoid and so is the French grammar but they both are essential to keep our body and language in shape.
You can recite your verb conjugations in different tenses while rigorously working out to deviate your mind from the exercise and turn your focus into adding the right endings to each verb.
By doing so, you also adapt to one of the most preferred activities among the French which accounts for their perfectly fit bodies.
Besides regular workouts, the French try to incorporate some form of physical activity into their routine and have a keen interest in sports like swimming, cycling, and more.
Therefore, this workout cum grammar session will not only allow you to share their language but also a piece of their lifestyle.
3. Connect with an online community
A key aspect of learning involves interaction. Despite your experiences and learning procedures, it is important to interact, share, and practice what you have learned to progress.
This is the main reason why people prefer to enroll in institutes and foreign exchange programs. The good news is that these interactive sessions can be experienced at home with the help of online courses and interactive applications like Hello talk and Italki.
Hello talk allows you to interact with native speakers from all over the world. It is a language exchange application wherein you learn your target language from the desired native speaker of your choice and teach your native language in return.
Interactions are supported through voice, chats, texts, and video calls with a built-in aiding system to correct your pronunciation, grammar, and spelling.
Italki is a more professional and formal application. It allows you to pick a tutor in your desired language and schedule a one-on-one session that is flexible to your language level and learning schedule. The price may vary depending upon the tutor and the time per session.
Further, there are online platforms and social groups like Reddit, Quora, Facebook groups, and Discord. This will help you to interact with native French speakers, develop your spoken French, and boost your confidence.
4. Cook a French meal
Learn French vocabulary through recipes, ingredients, cooking videos, and treat yourself to a delicious meal at the end of the day thereby exploring the culinary world of France.
Food is an integral part of French culture. A traditional family meal such as a Sunday lunch or festive meals filled with guests may last from two to 4 hours. The French are also very particular about their customs to eat together in the evening.
The important tv shows are aired after dinner time as it is considered to be bad etiquette to watch television or meddle with your gadgets at the table. Perhaps it is a habit that we could steal occasionally in order to unplug ourselves from the online world.
5. Redesign your house with French DIYs
DIY roughly means “bricolage” in French. Learn to give a new look to your house with simple makeovers in French. From folding papers to remodeling your favorite furniture, you can do it all.
Read the instructions in French to learn the names of the tools and equipment required to finish the desired product. Add a new twist to your learning pattern with fun and cool DIYs.
The skills and materials needed to work on your house or fix certain things are universal in most cases. Learning to do them in French will help you to learn the vocabulary of common things you use every day in your house.
You can begin to explore your creative side with easy crafts that are geared towards children from French websites like Mômes and later upgrade to websites like Côté Maison and Déco.
6. Weekends call for movie nights
Watching a familiar movie dubbed in French or with French subtitles will help you to focus on how French is spoken. It’s even better if you begin with short interviews and cartoons to learn French naturally.
The film industry in France is highly popular so your course isn’t complete without exploring the world of cinema. After all, there is nothing better than getting all wrapped up in a blanket to rewatch your favorite movie.
A customized French course at your doorstep
The options to learn French are limitless and there is no right or wrong way to do it. With a minimal budget and learning strategy customize your French course in a way you desire to experience a slice of authentic French from home.
