Way back in 2005 I booked a $400 ticket to Paris, France to visit my best friend "Ace." I had been to Paris one time before but decided this time to fit in as much as possible and try to learn as much French as I could in the four months I had before my trip.
I bought two French language self-teaching books, one that came with a CD, and scheduled in hours of study time each day and on the weekends to teach myself the new language. I made flash cards, notes, and even found people on craigslist advertising French for English lessons! I actually did meet up with two different French guys at several different times. We spent an hour each time interacting and sharing lessons back and forth in each of our prospective languages.
That was when I was a nanny for two teenagers that were in school 8 hours a day, and I had a lot of time on my hands. By the time I went to France, I could say several important phrases, and could understand 50% (maybe a little bit more) of what was spoken around me. Of course, after that trip I completely forgot everything and never practiced French again.
Six years later, enter Project 2011! Learn French (again!)
I have finally started, slowly but surely, practicing some simple French phrases again. One of the student workers in my office is from Paris, and she is turning out to be a very valuable resource! This started only last week, but every day so far she's quizzed me with a phrase and after repeating it, she tells me what it means. I decided I'm going to take her out to lunch once a week in exchange for tutoring me!
Tres bien!
No comments:
Post a Comment