After a layoff of...let's see...oh my, 41 years, I've taken up French again, at the age of 57-going-on-58. Yes, language acquisition is generally considered a child's game (we learn our first language effortlessly at around age 2-3), but I have some things going for me that a child doesn't: maturity, and knowledge of how language works. And a few years of French back in middle- and high school. I've started with Rosetta Stone, but also have gotten my hands on a bunch of other, lesser known products, and I'll be sharing my experiences with them as I go along. I've been spending nearly two hours a day with Rosettta and am making great progress. See my review. À bientôt!
I just found your blog and am so glad that I did because I'm starting to (re-)learn French too, after taking it many years ago in high school and college (to fill the foreign language requirement). A Possible trip to France next summer is my motivation. I've only been listening to Coffee Break French so far, after dismissing Rosetta Stone due to their (only) 3-month online membership and some bad reviews. After reading your positive review of the Rosetta has me reconsidering. You enabler! LOL! I'm a big fan of your books being an avid gardener (love those fresh tomatoes) and breadhead.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa,
DeleteNice to have you aboard. Note that Rosetta Stone, in addition to the 3-month subscription plan, still has a CD-purchase option, which is prefer. -- Just make sure to wait for a sale.
Bonne chance! Stay in touch.
".....but I have some things going for me that a child doesn't: maturity, and knowledge of how language works". Hmmm....One could argue " both are clearly disadvantages and burdens, the freedom from which enable the effortlessnessa with which a 2-3 year old learns a language.
ReplyDeleteUndoubtedly, and you've hit on a major controversy among linguists. The flip side of "knowledge of how a language works" is called "interference," and there is a significant minority of linguists who believe that this ingrainness of your native language, combined with other things that adults "do" (get embarrassed, discouraged, over-think) is a much a barrier to learning a foreign language as the more-often cited example of the changes in the human brain that take place in late adolescence.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the source of that "effortlessness" that allows a toddler to pick up a language without textbooks and drills? I'll be exploring that in the forthcoming book.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled upon your blog. I am also trying to learn French. I took it for four years in high school and one semester in college. Now at age 55, I am incredibly rusty! I love the French language and culture, and I am attempting to "relearn" it, but it is proving difficult as I have no one to really practice with considering I live in a part of the USA where there is little to know French spoken. I did grow up in the USA near the province of Quebec, which sparked my interest in the language in the first place. A couple of years ago, I attempted to use Rosetta Stone, but I let my subscription expire. I liked it, but I found that there was little to no grammar, and I like learning a little bit about the mechanics of the language. This summer, I am using an online program called "Rocket French". I think I like it better than Rosetta Stone because there is a bit of grammar included which I like.
I have been to France about five to six times. Two times as a student in high school, once as an exchange teacher for a month, and the other times as a teacher bringing students for an educational journey. I teach history, not French, but I manage to bring students to Europe every other summer or so, and I always try to include France in the itinerary so that I can enjoy the French atmosphere and so that I can "attempt" to practice my horrible French.
I enjoyed reading your blog. Keep writing!
Michael
Great write up. I am beginner of learning French language. I really enjoyed while i am reading this nice post. I have got some ideas from you . Thanks for sharing this nice post.
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