My Learning Plan for French

I began learning French in April 2020. The most challenging aspect thus far has been mastering the pronunciation. As with most things, what is difficult is most rewarding, and I believe expressing myself in this beautiful language will be worth the difficulty.

Progress has been slow during the first few months of learning. At the beginning of July, I realized that I needed to be more regimented about my French study plan. I have set aside 2 hours each day for improving my vocabulary, learning the foundational grammar rules, and familiarizing myself with the pronunciation.

I'd like to share the resources and learning plan that I have been using to learn French. My goal is to provide soon-to-be language learners with the strategies and resources that they can use to learn a foreign language.

My Goal

The best way to reward yourself for learning a language is to take a trip to a country that speaks your target language. I plan to visit France in the next few years. I would like to be able to converse exclusively in French for the duration of the trip.

I need to make short term quantifiable goals to achieve this purpose. My short term goal is to get to the B2 level of the Common European Framework of References for Languages for French by October 1, 2020.

With that goal in mind, I will work backward to show you the daily learning plan that I have created for myself.

French Learning Plan

1. Learn 10 New Vocabulary Words Each Day

Each language is made up of hundreds of thousands of words. So how do I know which vocabulary words I should learn? Since my time for learning is limited, my goal is to learn the French vocabulary that is most essential to basic communication. In reality, we only use a small portion of all the words we know in our native language.

Luckily for us, there is a resource known as a frequency dictionary. These dictionaries are lists of words that are most regularly used in the language. Computers create these lists by analyzing transcripts, articles, TV subtitles, and newspapers to curate the words that are most commonly used. You can purchase them online, but I have found plenty of free ones online.

I use a flashcard software known as Anki to help me memorize the most frequently used words. This free software is designed to help us store information in our long term memory.

Here's how it works: I create a deck of French flashcards that I am continually adding new words to. Each day I am required to review a certain number of flashcards. When a flashcard comes up, I select the degree of difficulty that I had in recalling the word.

An Example of the Anki User Interface

The Anki algorithm lengthens the amount of time until I see the flashcard again based on how easy it is for me to remember. For instance, say the first time I see a word it is easy for me to remember. I would select the Easy option. This means that the card will be ready for review 3 days later. If the word is still easy for me to remember 3 days later, the Anki algorithm will extend the amount of time until I see the card to 10 days. This process continues until it is easy for you to remember the word with month-long gaps in-between.

You can create your own flashcards, or you can download a flashcard set from someone else (Just Google "Anki french vocabulary"). The best way to use Anki is to select a picture from Google images that you associate with the word. This creates a connection in your mind between the vocabulary word and a specific image. You must review your cards and add new ones every day if you wish to get the most benefit from Anki.

2. 1 hour of practice with Rosetta Stone.

I have used Rosetta Stone to help me learn French and German. It is extremely helpful for learning foundational vocabulary and grammar.

Some might object that Duolingo provides the same material as Rosetta Stone and with the added benefit that Duolingo is free. While this is true, I believe that using Rosetta Stone holds me more accountable because I pay to use it.

I have noticed that when I financially invest in something, I become psychologically invested in achieving my goal. This is why people sign up to run marathons in a public setting. You don't need to pay $150 to run 26 miles; you can do that for free anytime. You pay the $150 because it gives you a deadline and holds you accountable to a training plan.

3. 1 French Podcast Each Day

The Radio Lingua Network has a podcast for beginning French learners titled Coffee Break French. The episodes range from 15-20 minutes in length and are conducted primarily in English. The podcasts cover grammatical concepts, vocabulary, and touristic expressions.

Coffee Break French is Available on Apple Podcasts

I find that this podcast is most effective in improving my French pronunciation. The podcast is designed so that the listener has time to repeat the phrases that they are hearing.

4. 5 30 minute conversations a week in French using Italki

The problem with learning a language in a classroom setting is that you do not get enough practice speaking the language. In a typical language learning class, you are called on once per class to practice your speaking skills. This is an ineffective system, because the best way to learn how to speak a language is to speak the language as often as possible.

Italki.com is a website for getting conversation practice with a native speaker of your target language for a low price. I find 30-minute lessons that cost as little as $4.

Through this website, I have the option to work with either a professional teacher who has professional credentials or a native speaker of the language. The teachers can help you with complex grammar or vocabulary or they can help you with conversational skills.

When learning a new language, I do not recommend using Italki right away. Showing up to these lessons without a foundational understanding of the language will be a waste of your time and money. Instead, spend the first two months training yourself in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. After building your foundation, practice as often as you can with a native speaker.

5. 1 "Superday" each week

A "Superday" is a day in which I exclude my other hobbies to devote every free minute to learning French. On these Superdays, I double my usage of each of the resources mentioned above. My schedule for a super day looks as follows:

• 6:00 am - 7:00 am - Rosetta Stone

• 7:00 am - 7:30 am - Language Tutoring with Italki

• 7:30 am - 8:00 am - Flashcard practice

• 8:00 am - 12:00 pm - Work

• 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm - Rosetta Stone on Lunch Break

• 12:30 pm - 5:00 pm Work

• 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm - Run while listening to French Podcast

• 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm - Rosetta Stone

• 7:00 pm - 7:30 pm - Language Tutoring with Italki

• 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm - Reading in French

My challenge for myself during July is to perform a French Superday each day of the week.

I hope that these resources and my learning plan give you an idea of how you should guide your self-study. The most important thing about learning a new language is consistent practice. It doesn't matter if you can only devote fifteen minutes a day to practice, the important thing is that you repeatedly make an effort to incrementally improve.