Bonjour!

Hello to all our aspiring French speakers. You are currently at what we call the novice level of learning French.

Your Level – Novice

The American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) has done a tremendous amount of studying of language learning.  As a result, we have a pretty good idea of how much time is necessary to achieve certain levels of learning and what you can expect to be able do in French given how much time you have spent learning.

Mostly, as far as ability in the language, you will be able to use words and phrases that you have practiced and memorized. By FRENCH 1020, you are beginning to be able to change those practiced and memorized words and phrases to suit your own communication needs, that is, make the expressions personal. Here is a link to the chart where ACTFL describes what you can do in the language. Because you are able to use practiced and memorized words and phrases, it is very important to master through memorization and practice. Old school, right? But the good news is that it can be fun and is very good for your brain.

Learn better

Speaking of your brain, let’s consider some language learning strategies.

1. NEURON CONNECTIONS. When you learn something new, you are creating connections between neurons.
2. SLEEP. Every time you practice, you strengthen the connection between neurons. GET THIS: when you sleep, your brain practices over and over, hundreds of times, strengthening those connections. While you are asleep!
3. PRACTICE. Practicing in slightly different variations brings in even more neurons to strengthen the learning connections. This is why those language learning apps (see below) can be so beneficial. They are designed to lead you to practice, practice, practice, in slightly different ways. They work! But they do take daily practice.
4. 25 MINUTES, the magic time period for studying. The fact that sleeping increases your learning also means that you should space out your language learning you will maximize the impact sleeping has on your learning. The ideal amount of time for studying is 25 minutes. Then take a 5 minute break. Then another 25 minutes (or on to another subject!). Then another 5 minute break. Another 25 minutes, followed by a 30 minute break. Give it a try. You’ll retain a lot more of what you need to learn.
5. RETRIEVAL. The next best way of learning is retrieval. You do this by reading a paragraph, looking away, recalling to yourself what the new information is (aloud when you can) and then moving on to the next paragraph. If you don’t practice and engage in retrieval, your brain janitors will come in and sweep away the weakly linked new knowledge, assuming that it is just clutter that you don’t need.
6. EXERCISE. Exercise is essential to retaining learning. When you move physically, your body produces a chemical called BDNF that acts like a fertilizer in the brain. The neurons literally spring forth like shoots of crabgrass to connect neurons together so you retain learning. Even a trip up and down the stairs can stimulate this. A walk or jog is even better. Yoga, anyone? It is especially effective to study right after exercising. Not after a shower, after exercising. That’s when BDNF is maximized. Isn’t our body amazing?

Think of language learning as if you are trying to build muscle, or even a solid brick wall. Growth happens over time. With dedication and application.

Language Learning Apps

I am also going to suggest that to get even more language exposure, you sign up for a free language app. There are many – I have recently investigated these and recommend them:

1. Duolingo – uses repetition and variation to enhance vocabulary retention
2. Memrise – uses video footage of native speakers. Awesome!
3. Drops – uses images of objects to associate the learning with the word
4. Babbel – teaches phrases rather than isolated words
5. Mango – creates common contexts for memorizing useful phrases

All of these apps are good. You might even try using several of them. If you allow it, they will prompt you to work on your French skills every day. And then you sleep on it, doubling or even quadrupling your practice time. What a score!

Your instructor may even offer extra credit for showing your progress. Ask them about it today.