When Learning A Foreign Language Like FRENCH Turns Out To Be Okay

Meaning, it can be done! I started learning French by myself by using different iPad apps with audio, visuals and games (Quiz Up). I also utilize audio lessons from Amazon music and Audible. I purchased a reference book as well in Amazon where grammar instructions and tests are provided for. I do use a lot of reference apps like Mondly and Duolingo to keep my learning process active. 

So far, I have been diligent in doing so. I discovered that some Spanish and Filipino words  I know are similar to French words because most verbs are "cognates." Words that are the same and have the same meaning though in different languages, like "
inutile" for instance  (useless in French; the same exact word meaning in Tagalog)!

One of my closest friends is French. And I have been learning French since spring 2015 when husband and I closed our small business for seven months. He was surprised! I decided that I was going to study a foreign language to sharpen my thinking skills and to broaden my knowledge, vocabs, etc. Since I am getting older and didn't want my mind to stagnate, I am doing it for the right reasons. I do a lot of crafts, cooking and baking. Plus journal writing. But there's got to be some food for the brain that is good for my critical thinking skills. So, I challenged myself and have been doing fairly good.

As I started with my journey, my friend Olivier has been helpful. We text-chat halfway across the world from San Francisco to Bangkok and vice versa. From time to time, I write to him in French and he would correct  it, if my frame of thought or grammar construction is incorrect. He said that I could come around by myself now in France and would survive it because I can comprehend the basic communication must-know a tourist should possess. Wow! In fact, he sent me an article in bi-lingual French and English and I understood it! So that is great news for me! I am creative. And when I set my mind and heart to learn and to do something new, I focus and I succeed. 

Olivier gives advise when needed as far as French language is concerned. Otherwise, I am on my own. After going thru my lessons for about a year, I decided to take the entrance test at Alliance France here in San Francisco but online and passed the beginner level! Not bad since I don't go to school to learn this language. I was thrilled!!! I can even sing in French. Of course, jazz. Not a lullaby!  Well, for one. I was a music teacher and I know that the first easy way to learn some words in another language is through singing. So, that's what I do. Music is therapeutic. And in my own words:

"Learning a foreign language means learning how to read, write, speak and listen. It's hard to just speak it and not know how to spell the words. In French, there are words that have the same spelling but the difference occurs in the accent of words and that changes the context meaning of it."

My next trip trip France should be fun and more interesting this time. Back in the 90s, I was there and didn't speak a word of French. I was young and didn't care. This time, it's different. I shall speak it and make my husband be proud of moi! 😊 Did I tell you that the first song I learned in French is this jazz version of Emilie Claire-Barlow? Click to listen: Emilie Claire-Barlow, "C'est Si Bon"