Learn the phonetics of the French language. French pronunciation and spelling differ from one another greatly. French words include "silent" letters, and the sounds of the letters are very different from those in English. Do not attempt to sound out French words, pronounce them or learn basic phrases without an accompanying audio. The websites BBC Languages and LiveMocha both offer free online French courses that will provide text and audio pronunciation. French can be tricky for English speakers, as some words may be pronounced identically but carry a different syllabic stress. For example, in the English word "dignity" the stress is on first syllable, while in the French term "dignite" the stress falls on the final syllable.
Take a French class. Though you can find free online sources and books to help you learn on your own, an experienced teacher can help you progress faster; adult learners often need guided instruction and extra help in mastering foreign languages. Sign up for a course at a community college, adult education center or language school. In addition to the interaction you will have with the teacher, you can find other students in class with whom you can practice and form study groups. If there are higher-level students in your class or the teacher's other classes, find out if one can tutor you. Take a summer intensive course to learn the basics of the language as a "jump-start" before continuing self-study on your own.
Interact with French daily. Listening to French music and singing along will help you with the rhythm and stress of the French pronunciation. Listen to podcasts and watch French films or TV shows to help develop vocabulary. Practice speaking with other students and natives. The websites LiveMocha, MyLanguageExchange and MeetUp can put you into contact with French speakers. Practice online with writing or speaking, or meet for weekly tutoring or language exchange sessions. A native speaker can help you perfect your pronunciation and provide practice for spontaneous self-expression and informal conversation.