One of the most effective and newest forms of language lessons is through the purchase of a complete French program on compact disc. Among the companies that offer such courses are Rosetta Stone and Anotek. These programs are designed for beginners to get acquainted with the language and learn basic, conversational and everyday phrasing. They will start with vocabulary and pronunciation and then move into spelling and grammar lessons. One benefit of these programs is that the materials can be used over and over again and the student can go back and re-watch or re-do any part of the program.
Another option for the multimedia enthusiast is to purchase French lessons on audiotapes or CDS that can be listened to on the way to and from work. These audio devices focus on vocabulary and pronunciation. If you do not have a lot of time at home and your goal is just to learn the beginnings of how to speak to someone in French, this is a great method.
Some companies offer free French lessons online for beginners; www.LSFrench.com offers a list of free vocabulary words and a conjugate program.
The negatives about using multimedia to learn French is you do not get to interact with another person to track your progress. Also, having to speak to someone in that language every day will help to ensure you are getting adequate practice time in the language. French classes are taught in high schools, colleges, community colleges and adult education centers. The benefit of taking a course with a group of peers is you will be able to interact and listen to your classmates frequently, and you will have the chance of finding a study partner to work with on achieving your French goals.
Hiring a private tutor is beneficial because you will get one-on-one instructions and immediate learning or satisfaction on how well you are coming along. Tutors can be expensive, but they are the most effective way to learn the language without traveling to France.
Studies show that the most effective way to learn a language is to be around it. A French immersion program is the best way for beginners to pick up the language quickly. Transitions Abroad offers a program where students travel and live in France for a couple weeks or months while taking lessons and exploring the French culture. For somebody who is serious about French studies, this is the way to go.