Voted Best Answer
Mar 30, 2012 - 02:49 AM
Let me tell you what I have done with Spanish to increase my comprehension as the program progresses. Maybe some of my tactics can help you with your French Studies.
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I do a lesson every day in the morning. I take my time with it. For matching sections, I actually only look at the English sentences and translate with pen and paper, then I check my answers. Once I have confirmed my translation is correct, I say it 5 times out loud. For the ‘repeat the phrases’ section, I only listen to the phrases(don’t read) and try to figure them out. I also repeat another 5 times for these too, and play the audio after each time to ensure my pronunciation is correct.
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I do fluenz flashcards every night for the past 3 lessons. I alternate each day between writing and old school. For the old school, I don’t look at the screen. I only listen and translate.
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I purchased an easy reader of intermediate level stories with audio CD(this is important) to translate to English. I translate the whole story into English. Then, from my English translation, back into Spanish, then I check to see how close it is to the original story. Then I listen to each story on the audio CD several times until I comprehend every word.
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Coffee Break Spanish Podcast(there is also a French one), is a beginner series of lessons for a complete newbie, but it helps to hear another voice speaking the language. I listen while driving. It’s a great supplement and you learn some alternate vocab and some colloquial terms.
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Notes in Spanish (I am sure there is a French equivalent)- This is basically short conversations in Spanish followed by a summary of the conversation. They are 15 minutes long and I will continue listening to the same one until I comprehend every single word. Sometimes that means listening 10 times.
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Change the default language on your computer to your new language. It will force you to interact with it more. I learned the word for “Help!” before fluenz taught me.
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Anki Flashcards- Download this program and make your own flashcards for words and phrases that are particularly tricky. Uses the spaced repetition theory to present you your material based on how the human brain remembers things best. You can make your own audio or import pictures as well. Works on iPad, iPhone, Windows Phones, and Android on conjunction with the desktop application.
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No more English TV!!!! If you have digital cable, go into your settings and change your default language to French. Now most movies and rerun TV shows will be dubbed in your language. Turn on English subtitles to if you can’t figure something out. The idea is that even if you don't understand what you are hearing, you will start to develop an ear for french speakers other than the one in the fluenz program.
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Sit in front of your webcam, and make a video of yourself talking, play it back, look for problems, repeat. Get comfortable with just speaking without a script.
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Write short essays using all the structures and vocab you know. Write about your day, what you like etc. Write some fiction.
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Talk to real people! (and have fun doing it!) I have a buddy in Argentina I met while hiking in the Andes and I email and chat in spanish with him as much as possible.
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So that's about it. That's my whole routine. The key is to fill up all those idle moments in your day with learning. Don't sit around at a doctors office without an iPod or some study material. It is rather complex, and I don’t do everything every day obviously. Each day is a different mix of activities that keeps things interesting. I am an active duty Marine, so time is hard to come by. I have to sacrifice a bit of sleep to reach my goal but it is well worth it. If anybody else has any other suggestions, I would love to hear those too.
------------------------
I do a lesson every day in the morning. I take my time with it. For matching sections, I actually only look at the English sentences and translate with pen and paper, then I check my answers. Once I have confirmed my translation is correct, I say it 5 times out loud. For the ‘repeat the phrases’ section, I only listen to the phrases(don’t read) and try to figure them out. I also repeat another 5 times for these too, and play the audio after each time to ensure my pronunciation is correct.
----------------------------
I do fluenz flashcards every night for the past 3 lessons. I alternate each day between writing and old school. For the old school, I don’t look at the screen. I only listen and translate.
-----------------------------
I purchased an easy reader of intermediate level stories with audio CD(this is important) to translate to English. I translate the whole story into English. Then, from my English translation, back into Spanish, then I check to see how close it is to the original story. Then I listen to each story on the audio CD several times until I comprehend every word.
---------------------------
Coffee Break Spanish Podcast(there is also a French one), is a beginner series of lessons for a complete newbie, but it helps to hear another voice speaking the language. I listen while driving. It’s a great supplement and you learn some alternate vocab and some colloquial terms.
------------------------------
Notes in Spanish (I am sure there is a French equivalent)- This is basically short conversations in Spanish followed by a summary of the conversation. They are 15 minutes long and I will continue listening to the same one until I comprehend every single word. Sometimes that means listening 10 times.
---------------------------------
Change the default language on your computer to your new language. It will force you to interact with it more. I learned the word for “Help!” before fluenz taught me.
------------------------------
Anki Flashcards- Download this program and make your own flashcards for words and phrases that are particularly tricky. Uses the spaced repetition theory to present you your material based on how the human brain remembers things best. You can make your own audio or import pictures as well. Works on iPad, iPhone, Windows Phones, and Android on conjunction with the desktop application.
-------------------------------
No more English TV!!!! If you have digital cable, go into your settings and change your default language to French. Now most movies and rerun TV shows will be dubbed in your language. Turn on English subtitles to if you can’t figure something out. The idea is that even if you don't understand what you are hearing, you will start to develop an ear for french speakers other than the one in the fluenz program.
-------------------------------
Sit in front of your webcam, and make a video of yourself talking, play it back, look for problems, repeat. Get comfortable with just speaking without a script.
------------------------------
Write short essays using all the structures and vocab you know. Write about your day, what you like etc. Write some fiction.
---------------------------
Talk to real people! (and have fun doing it!) I have a buddy in Argentina I met while hiking in the Andes and I email and chat in spanish with him as much as possible.
------------------------------
So that's about it. That's my whole routine. The key is to fill up all those idle moments in your day with learning. Don't sit around at a doctors office without an iPod or some study material. It is rather complex, and I don’t do everything every day obviously. Each day is a different mix of activities that keeps things interesting. I am an active duty Marine, so time is hard to come by. I have to sacrifice a bit of sleep to reach my goal but it is well worth it. If anybody else has any other suggestions, I would love to hear those too.