Language is the main medium of communication, both verbally and in writing. While many of us have mastered at least one language as means of communicating with the rest of the world, learning a second or third language can be useful. In this era of globalization, the ability to speak a foreign language is a plus in itself, especially to support education and career.
French is a popular choice to learn as a second language due to its widespread use and its cultural and economic significance. It is also considered to be a beautiful sounding language, which makes it very appealing to learn. French has a variety of accents, but the most commonly spoken form of the language is Parisian French.
There is no magic formula for learning how to speak French or any other language for that matter. It takes a lot of time, energy, practice and patience. However, having a teacher or tutor that is right for you can make a significance difference in your learning experience.
The notion of a perfect teacher or tutor does not exist, but there is definitely teachers and tutors who are the right fit for you. For example, did you like all your teachers in school? Were there teachers who stood out to you more than the rest because the way they taught really resonated with you?
These teachers were usually responsive and attentive which helped you learn better. This is the type of teacher we are looking for to learn the French language. Let’s have a look on how to find the right instructor to help you learn and master French easily.
Why Learn French?
The first question to ask yourself is why do you want to learn French? This will help you determine your specific goals when looking for resources to learn. There are a multitude of reasons to learn French.
The ability to speak French is an advantage in the international job market. Knowledge of the French language opens doors to French companies in France and other French-speaking parts of the world such as Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, and the African continent. As the fifth largest economy in the world and third-ranked destination for foreign investment, France is a key economic partner.
France is also one of the world's leading tourist destination. Before the pandemic, it was the most visited country in the world attracting 88.1 million visitors. The ability to converse in French makes your trip in France that much more enjoyable as you visit Paris and all the regions in France. It also offers an insight into the culture, mentality, and the French way of life.
Learning French will take you on a cultural journey into the world of fashion, cooking, art, architecture, and science. It also exposes you to the works of great French writers such as Victor Hugo or Marcel Proust and famous poets such as Charles Baudelaire or Jacques Prévert, in their original text. Reading these writing from the original text will help you capture the original meaning of the words. Sometimes the beauty of the words can be lost in translation.
What is Your French Proficiency Level?
There are many factors to consider before moving on to find the right French teacher for you. What is your current proficiency level in French? Are you an absolute beginner who is just starting your journey to learn the language or are you at an intermediate level where you can understand the language to an extent but need to really work on pronunciation and conversation skills?
You should also take into account the level of proficiency you are aiming for. Do you want to learn conversational French or are you preparing to sit for the French A Levels, or DELF?
As you can see, there are many variables to consider before you can go on to select a suitable French teacher that is right for you. Taking your time to seriously take all these factors into consideration will help you make the right decision.
Skills & Traits of Good Teachers
Teaching is a noble profession that makes an impact in many learners’ lives by helping them engage in lifelong learning. There is a difference between being a teacher and a good teacher.
A good teacher has a strong grasp of the subject matter. Students expect the teacher to have understood and mastered the materials they are teaching. In this instance, a good French language teacher will be extremely proficient in this language. They should posses extraordinary reading, speaking and listening skills while demonstrating good use of vocabulary and command of words.
A positive skill in a good educator is the ability to present the subject material in a way that is not only easily understood by students but is fun as well. This is where creativity and innovation comes into the picture. Since many foreign students learn French as a second language, teachers who make an effort to design the subject matter by using examples that students can relate to will help them pick the language up better and faster.
Patience is an important trait that all teachers must possess. This is important because they will encounter many students with different abilities and characteristics in their career. All students are unique in their own way and learn differently. Some may catch up and be able to pick up the French syllabus faster compared to others. Therefore, teachers must be patient when they teach students and guide them to the right path when they make mistakes without getting frustrated.
When working with students, being adaptable is a good trait to have. For example, if a teacher has prepared a lesson plan to teach French vocabulary only to find out a few minutes into the lesson that the student is unable to follow what is being taught, a good teacher will be able to make adjustments to their teaching methods and adapt the lesson plan to suit the needs of that student. This trait is vital for teachers who promotes learning and who wants to help each unique individual find success in their class.
How to Choose the Right Tutor?
There is no such thing as one right tutor for everyone. It depends on your learning experience and expectations. Choosing the right tutor to guide you towards the right direction when learning French is important. If you are uncomfortable and unhappy with your teacher, you might be demotivated and give up learning halfway.
Is the right French tutor for you a native-speaker or a non-native speaker? Native-speakers are born into the language, in this instance. While non-native teachers learned the language as a secondary language.
If you choose a native speaker as your tutor, you get the chance to gain a better understanding on what life is like in the places that French is used and how you should use the language in those places. You will be able to get to know the culture and background of the language as well.
On the other hand, a non-native teacher will be able to relate to you better as a second language learner. They usually are able to explain grammar and the workings of the language better as they had to learn it as a second language themselves.
There is a lot of arguments for and against both. At the end of the day, it is a matter of preference and what works for you.
Are you an adult, learning French for work or are you looking for a teacher for your children? There are differences between what you will look for in a tutor for your child who is still in school compared to a tutor for yourself to gain some language skills. Your child might need a French language teacher who knows about the demands of the curriculum, and will work at an age appropriate level. While, you might look for a teacher who would can help you practice speaking to master the art of conversation. Choose the right tutor based on what you are looking to achieve.
One of the important factor to consider when choosing the right teacher for you is your budget. How Much Does it Cost to Learn French? Everyone has their own budget and requirements when choosing the right tutor. The tuition fee may vary according to qualifications, experience, duration of class and many other aspects. Do your research, find more than a few options to get a good comparison. Make sure to check out reviews online on the learning experience from other students before you commit to a French instructor.
Are you worried that your French tutor won't be the right fit for you? Most Superprof tutors give their first hour of lessons free, for exactly that purpose. Whether you are looking for a tutor to teach your child or you are an adult who is interested to start learning for yourself, Superprof has the right tutor for you.
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