Phillip1969 Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Hi everyone,I have never really gotten on learning French and only know the most basic stuff.I'm interested in finding some sort of French course, in the UK, that is run intensively. I don't really want CDs or books, as I really need a teacher so that I can ask questions if I have them. It could be as short as a couple of days or could last as much as a week. Can anyone recommend anywhere?I also don't have a huge amount of money to spend. Probably £200 tops. Any suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Intensive courses are going to cost you a bit more than that, I reckon. The council in my old home town in Kent ran courses and sometimes had intensive day courses also. On that budget I'd certainly start with finding out about local classes if I were you - they'll be the cheapest as you are a resident. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
united Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 When I am here in Edinburgh I have weekly conversations with a French student who is on the Etranger year of her political science degree. This is the 2nd student I have met from the course the 1st recommended the current student. We meet in a cafe and talk about a subject of my choosing for an hour. The fact it was in a cafe put me off to start with but its a real confidence booster after a while and whilst its more comfortable in a class/home it can be artificial. Also with meeting a female student its a safer environment for the initial meeting.I buy the coffees and pay £10 for an hour.Its vaguely symbiotic as they get to hear views different from their fellow students a point they have both made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmelle Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 I think that it's a very good way to learn ( listen to the little music of the french language = no, you need not to read "Celine" = " la petite musique de Celine " the great writer ), but you inevitably must read french books ( try to find those which are bilingual ) and in the same time , work on grammar . Yes I know , It can take much time . It depends on your aim . I have the same problem . It is very hard to find a teacher ; I don't understand the reasons and I regret . You must be perceptive anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RicandJo Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 http://www.thelanguagemachine.co.ukNative French teachers across the nation.Got my first lesson next week!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom.daniel Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 I am based in London and although i have had a property in France for a while i have never learnt the language properly, as has been mentioned i am more keen on face to face tutoring or an evening class rather than the liguaphone style.Can anyone recommend a good class in London? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mary Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 In September all the local colleges will have part time courses on for basic and advanced French, but will probably only be 1.5 hours a week for school Term time only. I did this for 1 year before moving out, and realise how limited my french is and very 'Tourist' based. I would suggest that you try and get 1 to 1 classes privaltely, as you will cover so much more and work at your pace, rather than others which will be in your class and may not be up to your speed, thus holding you back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Perhaps the acquisition of a French lover; it worked for me many years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Worked for me too Wooly (at least as far as vocabulary goes) plus I got to learn all kinds of words I could never have picked up in a French class [:$]But for the grammar, I still took weekly French lessons for 4 years after arrival. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velcorin Posted June 25, 2009 Share Posted June 25, 2009 Another vote from me----marry a Frenchwoman. I can leave all the difficult stuff to her, and not feel guilty. On the downside though you get French in-laws, and very poor selection of music (J-J Goldman and Jaques Brel[:-))]) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom.daniel Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 thanks for the advice woolly and cat, i think that would be the cheapest option as well, its just that my partner fiance might not be so keen, looks like i'm going to have to fork out afterall!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odile Posted June 26, 2009 Share Posted June 26, 2009 You are not a skilled plumber by any chance??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 [quote user="tom.daniel"]I am based in London and although i have had a property in France for a while i have never learnt the language properly, as has been mentioned i am more keen on face to face tutoring or an evening class rather than the liguaphone style.Can anyone recommend a good class in London?[/quote]I'd recommend the Institut Francais at South Kensington. They have lessons at many different levels, with a range of types of class (conversation, general French, cultural-based, etc etc). They make you do a test before you start which is a bit daunting but it does mean that you end up in a class at the right level so you don't get held back or left behind.I've studied there for a couple of years and always enjoyed it - and my French has improved alot too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolybanana Posted June 27, 2009 Share Posted June 27, 2009 Excellent totty at the Institut too in case you do decide to change partners and go for a pillow dictionary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom.daniel Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 In that case it sounds like Institut Francais is the way to go to tick all the boxes!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judith Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 [quote user="tom.daniel"]I am based in London and although i have had a property in France for a while i have never learnt the language properly, as has been mentioned i am more keen on face to face tutoring or an evening class rather than the liguaphone style.Can anyone recommend a good class in London?[/quote]City Lit and all the colleges which do "evening" classes - many now in the day and at weekends, are also possibilities. During my time in London I tried several - though never the Institut Francais, as I found IF too expensive. But the IF will do one-to-one, or small groups, though these are not cheap. Major problem I found was getting classes at the correct level (on a day or location which suited), and that they were often over-subscribed, but with the attendance falling off rapidly as the term progressed, (London being a very mobile population), so that progress was slow. The many different nationalities also attending made the progression through the course difficult because of the differing levels of English of the participants (which was usually used as the teaching language when French was not). I've also got a lot of half finished course books most at the wrong level!.Last summer I spent 4 days a week for 7 weeks, with the U3A in Hampstead, taking all the French classes they did (from beginners to advanced) and that was possibly the most useful thing I did before I moved out here - I was surprised how much I got from the beginner's class (ie how much I had forgotten from my school lessons 40+ years ago!) as well as the more advanced classes. Well worth looking at U3A if you have one in your area (and you do not need to be retired to join - just available when the courses are held). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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