Book Recommendations for Teaching Myself French

Loosheesh · 11-27-2017, 02:56 PM

I'm (re)learning French and I would like some recommendations on apps/programs, textbooks, dictionaries, and French novels that are easy for beginners (preferably children's stories?). I'm using Duolingo but I want to move on to something more structured.

Also, I would appreciate tips on learning another language in general, and French in particular. I did 5 years of French at secondary school and did well at it but I didn't continue after that. I had forgotten the majority of it all, but some of the vocab is coming back. As well, I live in a Francophonie country which speaks a French patios, and this is both helpful and misleading.

in advance

MickeyC · 11-27-2017, 04:39 PM

Here’s something I discovered about the French language after several trips to Paris that I can’t explain:

The more French wine you drink, the better you speak French!

BenG · 11-27-2017, 06:04 PM

Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was what we used in my high school French class.

issybird · 11-27-2017, 06:17 PM

How about the short stories by Alphonse Daudet? They're in the public domain.

Loosheesh · 11-28-2017, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyC

Here’s something I discovered about the French language after several trips to Paris that I can’t explain:

The more French wine you drink, the better you speak French!

With a little modification, I can probably use this method to learn multiple languages

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenG

Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was what we used in my high school French class.

Thank you! It's already looking delightful

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

How about the short stories by Alphonse Daudet? They're in the public domain.

Thanks, I'll check them out

piperclassique · 11-30-2017, 02:45 AM

You should get audio content, too. Especially if you want to travel to France. If you have a favourite DVD try watching it in French.

Loosheesh · 12-01-2017, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piperclassique

You should get audio content, too. Especially if you want to travel to France. If you have a favourite DVD try watching it in French.

Great idea! I had planned to check out YouTube videos but hadn't considered French versions of my favourite DVDs.

BenG · 12-01-2017, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loosheesh

Great idea! I had planned to check out YouTube videos but hadn't considered French versions of my favourite DVDs.

You usually don't have to buy French versions. Just switch the audio track to French. Or the captions.

Loosheesh · 12-01-2017, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenG

You usually don't have to buy French versions. Just switch the audio track to French. Or the captions.

Cool. My current laptop has no optical drive so I have to wait till I buy an external one to take advantage of this feature.

I've started on The Little Prince and it's wonderful. I'm doing a handwritten translation to English. Also, I picked up a couple of free children's books from Amazon and I'll attempt to translate these to French.

Pizza_Cant_Read · 12-02-2017, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loosheesh

Cool. My current laptop has no optical drive so I have to wait till I buy an external one to take advantage of this feature.

I've started on The Little Prince and it's wonderful. I'm doing a handwritten translation to English. Also, I picked up a couple of free children's books from Amazon and I'll attempt to translate these to French.

Whaaa? No game console or TV with optical drive? Give it to a friend and have them rip it. My laptop doesn't have an optical drive either. Sucks, but they cost like $20 here and I haven't needed one in a couple years so I guess it isn't that bad as I thought it would be. Just *feels* limiting I suppose

Loosheesh · 12-02-2017, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pizza_Cant_Read

Whaaa? No game console or TV with optical drive?

Nope, none of that, and it doesn't feel limiting at all. I have zero interest in gaming and the external monitor attached to my laptop is good enough for my needs, including the odd thing I want to watch on Netflix. The external drive, though, has been a need since I got a new laptop last year, and I just kept putting off buying one

Pulpmeister · 12-15-2017, 08:50 AM

Asterix comic books might be helpful too.

Loosheesh · 12-17-2017, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pulpmeister

Asterix comic books might be helpful too.

Thanks! I'll check them out.

I'm currently using a language exchange app called Tandem, and it's great for practicing my oral French, which sucks big time

Also, you get to meet people from around the world and learn about their cultures.

11-27-2017, 02:56 PM	#1
Loosheesh Wizard Posts: 1,674 Karma: 3111989 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Jianghu Device: PW1, PW5, iPhone SE 2016, iPhone 13 Pro, iPad Pro 9.7, iPad Pro 2021	Book Recommendations for Teaching Myself French I'm (re)learning French and I would like some recommendations on apps/programs, textbooks, dictionaries, and French novels that are easy for beginners (preferably children's stories?). I'm using Duolingo but I want to move on to something more structured. Also, I would appreciate tips on learning another language in general, and French in particular. I did 5 years of French at secondary school and did well at it but I didn't continue after that. I had forgotten the majority of it all, but some of the vocab is coming back. As well, I live in a Francophonie country which speaks a French patios, and this is both helpful and misleading. in advance

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11-27-2017, 04:39 PM	#2
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,732 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Here’s something I discovered about the French language after several trips to Paris that I can’t explain: The more French wine you drink, the better you speak French!

11-27-2017, 06:04 PM	#3
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,729 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was what we used in my high school French class.

11-27-2017, 06:17 PM	#4
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 20,209 Karma: 222235366 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: H2O, Aura One, PW5	How about the short stories by Alphonse Daudet? They're in the public domain.

11-30-2017, 02:45 AM	#6
piperclassique A garbling groftpot Posts: 974 Karma: 9234667 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: France Device: Oasis, Voyage, Kobo mini, Samsung tablet, phones, whatever.	You should get audio content, too. Especially if you want to travel to France. If you have a favourite DVD try watching it in French.

12-15-2017, 08:50 AM	#12
Pulpmeister Wizard Posts: 2,502 Karma: 28893796 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Perth Western Australia Device: kindle	Asterix comic books might be helpful too.

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