Take a French class. French classes are an effective way to learn the foundations of a new language and dialect. They will teach you proper pronunciation and sentence structures, as well as teach you about the history and culture of French-speaking countries. You can enroll in a French course offered at a local university or a local language center. If you want a more informal classroom atmosphere, check out Alliance Francaise, a national organization that promotes French culture, which offers classes in cities across the United States. If you prefer taking a course in the comfort of your home you can find full courses, including pronunciation guides, online.
Find a French conversation pal. Finding a person or group to speak with is a good way to practice your new skills in real life. Check out sites such as Meetup.com to see if there is a French conversation group in your area. Also post an ad for a French pal online on Craigslist.com or place an ad in the newspaper of a university close to you.
Study French abroad. If you want to speak the language, live the language. If you have the time and the resources, taking French classes in a French-speaking country will allow you to completely immerse yourself in the language. You will get the chance to learn common slang from locals and practice the language throughout the day, instead of just in small segments.
Watch French movies. French films will give you the opportunity to hear the language out loud in practical situations. In order to both see the words and hear the pronunciation, turn on the French subtitles to accompany the French language track. If you are not a fan of foreign cinema, simply turn on French subtitles anytime you are watching a film in English.
Listen to French radio or French-language CDs. It is easy to stream French radio programs online. French radio sites such as RadioFrance.fr allow you to stream their programs free of charge. This makes it easy to listen to the sounds of France even while you are at work. In the car, listen to French language CDs to increase your vocabulary.
Read French out loud. Check out your local library for a selection of books in French. Some libraries even carry dual-language books, so you can read the French version out loud and see the English translation on the adjacent page. Saying the words out loud will help you train your mouth to form the new sounds.