French courses online

[legio75]

As a wannabee with poor knowledge of French does anybody know about any good computer based French courses? All info would be appreciated.

[john]

well if you are going to pay for it i would suggest ebay, you can get a used one pretty cheap there.

[ace_compton]

there is a pretty basic free online course at the BBC website

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

[ace_compton]

sweet as man, happy to help.

Im doing one of those corospondence courses, problem is, i know how to write french sweet, but i have pretty much no clue how to pronounce it...i guess i'll pick it up while a caporal chef is bashing me around the head, theres no teacher like pain.

[ace_compton]

i just googled 'free online french course'

and another one to try is [Only registered and activated users can see links]

just search the web for stuff like that, you'll be a francophone before you know it.

[Eagle eye]

This is a better approach. I wouldn't want you to suffer the disappointment of desertion for not speaking French well enough.
Good luck to you and think carefully.

[arrichion]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

good site for pronunciation!

[arena]

So are there Japanese in FFL??

[john]

So are there Japanese in FFL??No, there isn't a single one.

[voltigeur]

So are there Japanese in FFL??There were two in my regiment, one of them in my Escadron. There is somewhere a picture on my web site with him sitting on a EBR (tank).

[Eagle eye]

:-)) I do remember a Jap who used to do just that. A VOS ORDRES A VOS ORDRES en permanence.He never got slapped.I'd bet he also dutifully bowed every single time he said "à vos ordres/hai! banzai!/saionara !". That would make me laugh every single frigging time too........... :D
PS Was this in the REP ? If so, s.o had humour to accept him....Anyway, a good survival technique by the Nip..

[voltigeur]

No, he was a though little bastard (even shorter than me :) )

[jobipolar]

[Only registered and activated users can see links]
this one is good.

[Zigliara]

Learning French can be related to current events if you read the articles of headline-grabbing news (Iraq; the Middle East) in your own language, you can follow at least the written French version of such events despite interpretation in French e-newspapers. The following 'revue de presse' link assembles the main French newspapers: major French newspapers in-one-link ( [Only registered and activated users can see links])

Pay particular attention to Radio France Internationale (RFI) ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) which is pretty much global if you don't have access to French TV cable/sattelite. It also broadcasts ten-minute extracts of half-hourly current events news broadcasts at least on ADSL and at least in Europe...this is the best multimedia way except for TV with piccies which identify the current affairs topic...Click on the 'Actualité' ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) icon of the RFI homepage for the main headline topics (the Italian journalist hostage freed yesterday; Syria; the Ivory Coast). The first topic on the left upper hand of of the 'Actualité' page is mentioned first in the RFI news sound byte. Read this current news event in:

Step 1: your own language then;

Step 2: the French text in the RFI URL and;

Step 3: Look up words in your dictionary and their meaning. Then

Step 4: Listen to the RFI voice extract at normal speed and accent;

Step 5: Listen to the RFI broadcast on the same or several topics as often as you wish during the day for better comprehension of the spoken French;

Step 6: Repeat the syllable and diphtong sounds as you hear them to improve your pronunciation. Record your voice if you can;

You won't understand everything but you can listen to French on a topic you understand in your own language. Try repeating the French-language sounds (dipthongs and vowel sounds) as an easy/free introduction to French speaking.

Look up the frequencies of RFI broadcast in your country: RFI frequencies ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) and by continent: RFI broadcasts by continent ([Only registered and activated users can see links]).

The homepage has also an excellent icon 'La langue française' for beginners and learners of French: La langue française ([Only registered and activated users can see links]). There is also live RFI broadcast available on the top left-hand side of the 'Actualité' ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) homepage: RFI en direct.

RFI has also broadcasts in 19 different languages. Consult the country webpage for its country-by-country on the different language broadcasts available: RFI in Europe ([Only registered and activated users can see links]). For example, for RFI in German:RFI programmes in German ([Only registered and activated users can see links]). Some countries but not all have RFI in English, for example, Norway: RFI in English ([Only registered and activated users can see links]). The broadcasts give a French interpretation of events that can be interesting but also propaganda. They are useful in tandem with international news broadcasts in French. Check the languages available in your country.

Clearly, FFL vocab is very different and has to be gotten use to in content and volume/pitch....

Still, you can choose to be beaten around the chops quite often to 'parlez français en service !!!' after joining the FFL...

[Eagle eye]

"...The French language shock on stepping over the FFL threshold can be likened to a young to mature, intelligent, well-intentioned chimpanzee, who lets himself be captured but cannot understand or be understood by would-be mercs or former merc handlers in the FFL psychological jungle.

Then, your FFL cadre and 'handlers' set about requiring their individual interpretations of the FFL orders to the best of their abilities in the best cases while assuming the chimp understands them; or imposing their specific pathologies on the unsuspecting - and trusting - animal in the worst cases..."

OR

"...Like it is easier to teach a child soldier to pull the trigger of a gun than to teach him to read and write...so it easier to teach an EV to pull the trigger of a FAMaS than it is to teach him to read/write and speak/understand French...so an EV in Aubagne has a greater chance at initial selection if he speaks/understands French...."

Just beware if you decide to go without understanding some French...

There is also the alternative perspective on learning French if you join the FFL at short notice - and you're on the run...:o - as stated by Beau Sheep's initial post in his thread: Learning French (the idiot's guide)... ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

The following link is thanks to BobW following his post on a French anti-terror site. This site has a link to a very useful site for you to explore and evaluate in your French-language learning efforts: Excellent French-language site ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

Also, try this link 'An easy introduction to the French language' for a text and audio news article. Listen to the audio and understand its text transcript:
French text of audio passage ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

[The Dude]

Basic grammar intro online for wannabe dudes:
Basic grammar link ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
If you read it carefully, you'll get a 3.0+ GPA starting next fall if not at summer school....

[Acejohn]

Hello;

Found this thread and wanted to be sure you knew about this download to your computer - free.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Bon chance,

Acejohn

[IFUGAO]

Hey guys, I'm new to this site. I would like to ask a few queries if you may. May I know the level of acceptance or attrition rate (to put it negatively) for applicants coming from Southeast Asia? I am from the Philippines and I would hope that my lighter body build and lower height (I'm 5'6) would not discriminate against my chances... I belong, though, to one of the hardy mountain peoples in the North who are distinct from those in the lowlands. I'm from Ifugao, where the Banaue rice terraces are located. I also run marathons.

I graduated from the country's premier university with a degree in Political Science. My desired paths towards life lie somewhere between taking up law, entering politics or the FFL. I also dream of it happenning in a sequence- I earn a law degree (while learning French), join the country's elite Special Action Force (for a military background), try the FFL, and then enter politics in my prime 50s. I don't know about my chances thus I am asking for some advice.

Have you got knowledge, if any, of fellow Filipinos or Southeast Asians who have made it to the Legion? Thanks!

IFUGAO

[hellheaven1987]

Hey guys, I'm new to this site. I would like to ask a few queries if you may. May I know the level of acceptance or attrition rate (to put it negatively) for applicants coming from Southeast Asia? I am from the Philippines and I would hope that my lighter body build and lower height (I'm 5'6) would not discriminate against my chances... I belong, though, to one of the hardy mountain peoples in the North who are distinct from those in the lowlands. I'm from Ifugao, where the Banaue rice terraces are located. I also run marathons.

I graduated from the country's premier university with a degree in Political Science. My desired paths towards life lie somewhere between taking up law, entering politics or the FFL. I also dream of it happenning in a sequence- I earn a law degree (while learning French), join the country's elite Special Action Force (for a military background), try the FFL, and then enter politics in my prime 50s. I don't know about my chances thus I am asking for some advice.

Have you got knowledge, if any, of fellow Filipinos or Southeast Asians who have made it to the Legion? Thanks!

IFUGAO

Well friend, not sure what you are asking but as long as you don't have ANY health problem, remember, is ANY, any of health problem may make you say good bye to Legion forever. You need to have a passport and physically and mentally fit enough, that's all! There is no difference for different countries! (+learn french as much as you can because there is a bonus for it!)

[thedrunkensailor]

Does anyone have any good sources for learning the offduty French? As in swear/cuss words and talking about women. Aswell as me finding that more interesting I think it would be useful.

Paulo.

[tom.]

Hello guys (this isnt online but its still learning and most appropriate place to post), but ive spoken to a few friends who speak a few languages and asked them how they learned, they told me using simple CD books and told me this is the best one theyve came across... so I thought it would be rude not to share :D

Hugo in 3 months:

Heres paperback version ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) (dont think theres a cd)
And CD version ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

Tips on grammar there too, so if youre hoping to write well for progressing through the ranks id imagine that would help you ;)

Anyway good luck if you do decide to use them, or any other method :)

ps: Sure if you look around youll drop on cheaper ones (try places like ebay, play.com usually have good deals). Actually no, you can get just the books second hand from about 20p :D :P Good deal!

[brokenheart]

As a wannabee with poor knowledge of French does anybody know about any good computer based French courses? All info would be appreciated.There are a bunch of good sites for free on the web. Google the following :
livemocha
YABLA
French lingua
About French.com
All are pretty good and can give you a start.

Alternatively you can watch TV5 on your computer. There are programs there for learners. Radio has a program RDC done by the CBC Canada. The French is very good and not heavily accented. You can usually find it on I-tunes applications or by satellite. Best of luck and hope that helps.
Cheers

[skydiver1206]

[Only registered and activated users can see links] site has a great course for learning French, called the Rocket French Interactive Audio Course (Complete - 31 Lessons) is located on the first page and Hugo: French In Three Months is on page 10 ...

[dILBERT]

i would recomend michel thomas audio cds. easy way to learn. worked on me.
and you learn more than enough french from what ive read on this forum is necessary for the legion fast. search n' download.

[Ferret]

i would recomend michel thomas audio cds. easy way to learn. worked on me.


Yeah, worked on me too. He actually made the experience of learning a foreign language easier than I ever expected.

Michel Thomas is the only language learning cd course I've undertaken but I'm sure the majority of them are similar. The best way to learn other than being in the country that you desire to speak the language of.

Guess your gonna have to take The Pusstcat Dolls outta ya cd player and stick in Mr Thomas. :eek:

[babydavid]

Yeh , im useing the michel thomas method too only bad thing about it is the annoying woman student, who gets everything wrong( nearly got me copying her mistakes), she gets more annoying the more i replay it:mad:

[Ferret]

Yeh , im useing the michel thomas method too only bad thing about it is the annoying woman student, who gets everything wrong( nearly got me copying her mistakes), she gets more annoying the more i replay it:mad:

Yeah, can anyone really be that stupid apart from myself. :)