Learning French, Pt.1

For December, one of my projects is to spruce up my French language skills. Languages are one of the few things for which "use it or lose it" is invariably true. I spoke French fluently more than 10 years ago, but it eroded for lack of practice. Increasingly, I am having difficulty reading French publications and listening to French dialogue (in movies and song, for example).

So I'm studying French as anyone would if they were learning a new language. You start with grammar and writing (this month), then do literature and reading (January2013), listening and culture (February2013), and finally conversation (March2013). So by summer next year, I should be fluent again. It is easy this time because I already have some background in the language.

But it will take hard work and commitment to finish well. I use library books and study for an hour each day. Apart from an ongoing effort to connect with French students and speakers around town, I also do a lot of memory exercises, and try to translate as much English to French as I can. Heck, I also read the Bible in French and have switched my email, Facebook, iPod, and some programs I used day-to-day to the French language. I call this the "poor man's immersion", and I can testify that it helps in getting your mindset back into the language and culture.