Q We are planning to move to France next year as a family; we have two daughters aged 9 and 12. My husband and I learnt O level French – some years ago now! – but we really want to have a good, basic understanding and grasp of the language before we move there permanently and we also want to expose the girls to as much French as possible.
I have seen various software packages on the market, which I think could be good for us, to use as a family but they are quite expensive and I would like to know what to look out for when choosing one. What do all the functions do, are they suitable for all ages and what extra equipment will we need?
Mrs E Blackshaw
A First of all, congratulations on your decision to move. It takes a lot of courage to take the plunge and relocate to another country, and I have no doubt that this will be an invaluable experience for your whole family.
Learning the language will put you in a great position to make the most of your new life – knowing or understanding a little basic French is one thing, but actually being able to converse on a day-to-day basis is a totally different matter, and it is this ability to communicate that could make the difference to your family’s experience of living abroad.
While your existing knowledge of French will certainly give you a head start in developing a strong grasp of the basics, it is worth noting that the old O-level system was heavily focused on semantics and memorising vocabulary and language structures. We all knew our verb tables back to front and inside out however, when it came to conversing in the language, things were a little different.
As I am a great believer that a language needs to be spoken in order for someone to be able to converse confidently, you and your family would benefit from a learning solution that allows you to practise speaking, comparing your accent to that of a native speaker.
Latest options
Language learning has changed almost beyond recognition in recent years, and with a wealth of new options on the market, today’s language learner is spoilt for choice. However, it is important to look at the attributes of each product and select one that fits with your requirements and learning styles.
It is commonly accepted that there remains no better way to learn a language than by completely immersing yourself in it, rather than using tedious translation and grammar tables. This is the most natural and effective way to acquire fluency, and retain it long term.Recent advantages in technology mean that it is now possible to recreate this environment through online and software–based learning tools.
To complement this, recent studies show that computer-based language learning tools promote higher enthusiasm levels and faster language acquisition, so this method is ideal for family learning. Additionally, with your eldest already studying French at school, this is a great way to build on her lessons in a way she will find fun and challenging.
It would be most beneficial for you to select dynamic immersion e-learning software, which essentially means the software will immerse you in the language you want to learn from the start, without translation, so you learn by intuition. This uses a methodology that teaches a new language in the same way we acquired our first language; by linking new words with real-world objects and events.
These types of software packages require no previous knowledge of the language, allowing you all to start in the same place and learn together. A software package that incorporates lots of high quality images and allows users to try different language skills, such as speaking, listening reading and writing is a good option for families as you can all treat it as a game, competing against each other as a family. This would engage the children, helping them see learning as fun, rather than a chore.
Voice recognition
It would also be beneficial to look for a product that includes voice recognition technology and a feedback mechanism. This function records your spoken French, usually via a simple headset with a microphone, and can assess it accordingly. It is a great tool for improving your pronunciation and for checking that your accents are correct.
If you look for a product that incorporates all of these factors, I’m sure you will be well on the way to your goal of being able to communicate with the new neighbours!
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