I meet a lot of people who tell me, almost with pride, that they understand a language well but can’t speak it. Usually two things are going on. Their comprehension isn’t as broad as they believe, because they only follow the familiar topics they hear again and again. And they have made “I can’t speak” part of their identity, so every meeting they sit through in silence confirms it. Which language do you understand far better than you speak?
Not in my case.
According to LingQ I’ve read 3.3 million French words, mostly in genre novels. LingQ makes it easy to take this approach. Thanks! I read pretty well.
I am shy and I have a hearing problem so I haven’t rushed into conversation. But “I can’t speak” is not part of my identity.
In October I will be going to France for an immersion program and to break through into speaking.
Wish me luck!
That sounds awesome! Have fun!
I wish you all the best! Try to push yourself outside your comfort zone whenever you can. Take trains and buses, for example. Using public transportation will help you pick up practical, everyday vocabulary related to getting around. The same goes for ordering food, shopping, and handling other day-to-day situations.
By the way, how long does your immersion program last, and what exactly are you expected to do as part of it? Did you have to pay for the program yourself, or is it sponsored by an organization?
Have fun. I’m sure some smelly cheese and a little wine will help.
Unless I ask, I’m never interested in advice. I find it odd how many commenters here take it upon themselves to give advice, unasked for. It seems presumptuous.
Generally, I consider “Try to push yourself outside your comfort zone whenever you can” to be terrible advice.
For a long-term, voluntary project like language learning, I think it’s preferable to learn to enjoy the process, rather than pushing oneself constantly and risking burn-out.
That’s the plan! I expect to pick up a few pounds on croissants and French cuisine.!
I want to get a feel for France as well as French conversation. I’ll be taking a fancy new camera with me to get some shots. I expect to work hard in classes and balance it with fun outside.
It will also be reconnaissance for a future trip to France when I do some real sight-seeing – Paris, Rouen and more.
I’ll be keeping my expectations low and my gratitude high. Win-win.
it is okay then discard my advice.
Good luck. Short and sweet.
This is probably obvious, but it might be worth taking noise cancelling headphones or ear buds, then you can listen to local radio on your phone when e.g. on noisy underground/bus or having dinner.
C’est formidable ! Ne manquez pas de nous raconter de la expérience. Comme vous peut-être vous rappelle j’ai pris la même route que vous et alors la issue de votre experiment me intéresse beaucoup, même si je ne doute pas que vous passerez un bon moment ; quelque fois frustrant, si, mais bon quand meme. Et peut-être vous plaira-t-il de savoir que j’ai fait presque la même chose auparavant, non pas en français mais en italien, et maintenant je me débrouille pas mal en Italie.
Il se peut qu’il y ait un différence entre nous deux cas cependant : j’avais écris assez auparavant. Activité presque comme parler au ralenti, avec tout le temps nécessaire pour trouver les mots et les phrases justes. Nota bene, ne prenez le pas comme des conseils. je ne le risque pas de vous en donner !
I speak right off the bat, Spanish which Im A1 A2. & Levantine Arabic. Just by hearing each word while reading, I practice immediately. So I don Understand why anyone can say they cant speak? LingQ offers immediately the words and sounds to practice.
what a bch hahaha, no need to be so rude!! French fits u pretty well with your behaviour.