One of the most romantic languages is French. The French language is spoken in France and also in various regions across the globe. Did you know that French is so widely spoken that it is one of the official languages of the European Union as well as the United Nations? This shows that the French language is important not only for French people but it is used internationally.
France is not only known for its language but it also has a rich cultural tapestry that has enriched millions of people all over the globe.
With this knowledge shared above, it is easy to see why the French language has the ability to present you with many opportunities if you master it. With the ability to speak this language, you will have the opportunity to travel and have careers in international business and education.
One of the reasons the French language is known to be beautiful sounding and romantic is mainly because of its melodious sounds and pronunciation. At the beginning, just like when you start learning anything new, learning this language can prove challenging. However, as you push through and start mastering this language you will learn how to appreciate the simple elegance of this language as well as how expressive it is.
French is one of those languages that influenced a lot of other languages such as English. There are many English words that we use on a daily basis today that come from the French language. Words such as ballet and cafe are actually French words that have become a part of the English language.
As we mentioned earlier, French culture is also rich and this can be seen in its fashion and even cuisine. Learning this language helps you appreciate the French language as well as its culture on a deeper level.
History of the French Language
It might come as a surprise to some, but the French language has its roots dating back all the way to Latin. It was during the 5th century, during the fall of the Roman Empire, did Latin evolve and influenced a lot of languages including French. This form of French is known as the old French and it was during the 9th century did this language start to take shape.
It was only when the middle French emerged, which was during the 12th century that the French language went through a dramatic change not only in its grammar but also vocabulary. This is when the language started to flourish and there were notable literary works that reflected this. “The Song of Roland” is a good example. As the French language flourished, so did its speakers and it might come as a surprise but did you know that French was actually the language of the English courts?
It wasn't till the 16th century that French achieved the status of a major language when it came to diplomacy. This is when the Académie Française came about in 1635 and they were the reason the French language was standardised and regulated.
As the French language grew in popularity, it slowly but surely became a global language. This occurred in the 19th and 20th centuries. Now, the French language is spoken by millions of people all over the globe and is the official language of not only France but many countries all over the world.
As the language progressed, it faced a lot of challenges, especially from English. This was particularly due to the advancement of technology as well as business. Although the language faced a lot of challenges, there have been a lot of efforts to promote as well as protect this language.
Tips for Learning French
Learning French can provide you with a lot of benefits as well as growth as an individual. As you already know, French is a language that is used all over the world and can open up many doors if you know this language.
Learning a new language can be not only challenging but also satisfying. We have listed some tips below to help you in your journey to learning French.
Goals
One of the first things when it comes to learning a new language is to have a clear set of goals. One of the biggest mistakes new learners make is to not have a feasible set of goals which in turn will only lead to frustrations and disappointments. First and foremost identify why you want to learn French. Are you doing it for personal growth or do you want to travel? Clearly identifying this is the first step towards learning this beautiful language.
Join a Community
Another way to improve your French and help you learn faster is by joining a community. If you are unable to find a community near you physically, there are many French communities available online. One of the best reasons to do this is the support you will get from these groups as well as the precious opportunity to learn from each other.
Practice
When it comes to learning a language, and this includes French, consistency is key. You will need to consistently learn and dedicate at least ten minutes to half an hour a day to practise your French. By doing so consistently, you will have an easier time keeping up with learning French. As studies have shown, doing something consistently is better and more effective than longer sporadic ones.
Speak
Learning a language is quite different from picking up a sport or a hobby. As we mentioned earlier, it is important to practise your French consistently and this includes speaking. The French language is a means of communication so it would defeat the purpose of learning this language if you are not able to speak the language. Speaking from day one is essential and it is a way to reinforce whatever you have learnt.
Have Patience
Learning a language is not an easy feat and this includes the French language. A lot of people set out to learn a new language and give up within the first few months. There are a lot of factors that affect a person’s success in learning a new language but one thing is for sure, you should have patience. You might feel the need to skip through parts that you deem easy or not necessary but it is important to remind yourself to have patience through the process and take it slow. Learning at a slower pace does have its own benefits which you should not ignore.
Benefits of Learning French
There are always benefits in learning a language from career opportunities to experiencing new cultures. French is a language that is rich in culture. If you are someone who is considering picking up this language, here are a few benefits you can get from learning this language that will enhance your life not only professionally but also personally.
Culture
It might surprise you, but did you know that French is spoken in over 29 countries? This is one of the reasons why French is a popular language to be learnt. Just like any other language, learning French is one way to appreciate its culture. This includes French films, literary work as well as arts and music. Let’s take literature for example, some words and expressions might be lost in translation which you will not be able to grasp or get if it is not read in its original language.
Career
As we have mentioned, French is spoken in various countries all over the world. Picking up this language opens up a lot of career opportunities that are not only diverse but also highly in demand. The language is spoken in the United Nations, the European Union and many countries all over the world.
Travelling
Since French is spoken widely and is the official language of many countries, if you are travelling to these parts, knowing the language will not only make it significantly better for you but also enhance your travelling experience. You will not only understand but also experience and appreciate the local customs and people better.
Resources to Learn French
Resources to Learn French
One of the best places to learn French is online. With the invention of the World Wide Web, there are many materials available to you to learn this language for free. One place we would recommend above the rest is YouTube. There are many videos available online that are not only free for you to watch but also suitable for all levels of French learners. There are French-centric channels that you can follow that will help you positively supplement your French classes and help you understand and learn this language faster than usual. This coupled with a good tutor will surely help you reach your goals and success in mastering this language.
Check out Must-Know French Phrases and Words!
If you are someone who is interested in learning the French language, you should seriously consider hiring a tutor to help you in your journey. Superprof is an online platform that connects students with tutors from all over the world for a variety of subjects and hobbies and this includes the French language.
If you are looking for tutors who are qualified, experienced and verified, Superprof is the answer. They have a diverse range of experience so we are sure you will be able to find one that suits your needs on our site. Our site is set up in a way that makes it very easy to navigate. All you will need to do is key in French and set your location. You will then be brought to a page with all the available tutors near you. What are you waiting for, head over to our Superprof site and start learning French today!
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