Affordable French Language Instruction?

[shinyam]

I am interested in being completely bilingual, as there seems to be many more job opportunities for bilingual workers, and the pay is greater.

What is the best way to learn the language without leaving the city? Are there any affordable and good schools?

I know it will probably take a couple of years, but I think it will be worth it. I also like the challenge.

How many of you are fluent in French?

Merci.

 

[xarir]

University of Toronto School of Continuing Education - probably one of the more expensive ways to go, but you will get university-level profs and thus get exposed to French in a proper, academic environment

York & Ryerson likely have similar programs to U of T

Alliance Francaise - I don't really know this institution but my impression is that they're probably OK.

It's possible that the City of Toronto offers something through community programs.


To really learn French (or any other language) you'll eventually have to travel to an area / country where that's more or less all they speak. But you can certainly build up a good base knowledge here in Toronto. When you feel confident enough, do listen to the radio or watch TV in French - it's a good way to keep up.

 

[shinyam]

Thanks, xarir. I will look into those programs.

 

[screwge]

I went on an immersion course in Quebec. Its a great experience. The strange thing about it was that they taught you Parisien French in the classroom and then sent you home to your host Quebec family who speak the Quebec variation of French.

Actually, the French in Quebec is what used to be official French before the French revolution. The French Rev was a lingusitic as well as a political revolution. The Rev didn't happen in Quebec because the French had just been beaten by the English and the Aristocracy had returned to France, leaving just les habitants behind. And then Les Habs started winning the stanley cup and the rest is history!

 

[raverboy]

I am interested in being completely bilingual, as there seems to be many more job opportunities for bilingual workers, and the pay is greater.

What is the best way to learn the language without leaving the city? Are there any affordable and good schools?

I know it will probably take a couple of years, but I think it will be worth it. I also like the challenge.

How many of you are fluent in French?

Merci.

Hi. ex-Montréalais here.

Dont mean to discourage you, but to be "completely bilingual" starting from beginners' French would imply consistent practice both spoken and written, on a day-to-day basis. A couple of years may be realistic if youre a fast learner with languages, but if you live in Toronto, the 'consistent practice' might be a stretch.

Unless of course you socialize within the francophone circles in town, or have a SO whose first language is French, or you are in a job that requires frequent correspondence in the language, amongst other things.

Je parle assez couramment le Français, malheureusement je ne donne pas des cours

 

[Trelew]

You could always move to Quebec City for a bit and get enrolled in one those free FSL courses they give immergrants there.

Myself, I can read & write French perfectly but I couldn't speak it if my life depended on it.

 

[shinyam]

Thanks for your advice, Raverboy. I'm a quick learner, and have taken French in high school, so I have the fundamentals down pretty good.

Hmm... That is not a bad idea, Trelew. I dont' know if it's really ethical though. Aren't those classes strictly restricted to non Canadians? I guess I could pass myself off as an immigrant though for the free lessons.

Also, the idea of using merb is a good idea too.

 

[shinyam]

Hmm... Just logged onto merb: everything is in English.

 

[raverboy]

!

Hmm... Just logged onto merb: everything is in English.

No offence intended, sheik, but I was gonna balk at your suggestion on using Merb. Being an ex-merbite and an occasional visitor I reckon that the spelling/punctuation/grammar on there is bad enough as it is in English, let alone French! Most people post in English and/or are Anglos, so even the poor Frenchies post in English -I wouldnt count on Merb for the improvement of the written/spoken word in either language!

shinyam: regarding Trelew's suggestion, you'd be bored stiff in Quebec City, but you'd probably pick up the language pronto! An even more courageous choice would be Chicoutimi in the Saguenay-Lac St. Jean. NOW you're in seperatist country!

 

[shinyam]

I was thinking of moving to Montreal for a year. The escorts are cheaper there too.

 

[papasmerf]

French prisions

free to get into and ya might run it by the end of the week

 

[Argocock]

you are going to have to take some kind of course, and supplement that with reading the french newspapers, listening to radio and watching french t.v shows to try and catch on what they are talking about. Watching the news, or the french TSN is good for learning, because you pretty much know whats going on in the news, i.e politics, sports, etc. So they are just repeating the same thing in French.

But the best way would be to practice would be to communicate, even if its only by email. I am sure you can find some french person on the internet somewhere to send emails back and forth in french.

About moving to Quebec, that can be hit and miss. Because I speak proper french pretty good. I can understand a french guy from Paris perfectly, but a guy from Three Rivers to me sounds like he has a hot potato in his mouth compared to the guy from France. Its pretty much a dialect compared to what you'd be learning in your course.

 

[Boyscout352]

As Raverboy said, to be 'completely' bilingual you must be able communicate in both written and spoken.

In general knowing a second language other than English comes in handy if your doing foreign business, translation or working in retail or customer service.

You have to pretty much immerse yourself with the language. Your personal learning curve, and the amount of exposure will determine how long it takes for you grasp the basics. Courses that are offered by colleges, universities, or language schools will start you off in the right direction. Learning tapes/CD help a bit, but its better to practise with a person, who can give explanations.

If you know someone who is willing to practise or if your lucky to find a girlfriend who's French all the better. The more often you speak, the easier its retained in your memory.

 

[raverboy]

... but a guy from Three Rivers to me sounds like he has a hot potato in his mouth compared to the guy from France...

He probably does. Its called poutine.