The French learn to speak their native tongue by living in, where else, France. They have their brains already keyed into the speech and pronunciation of the language. However, not many of us have the luxury to move to Western Europe and practice. So how can you try and bring France to you.

Here are a few ideas you can try, right now to learn french words and phrases!

Tape up French text around the house: Get a hold of a french dictionary, a marker, some adhesive, and note cards. Then go around the house and tag all the visible items with their french translation. (Don't forget to add the "le" or "la" article to each word.) Start with a small room in the house on Day 1, like your bedroom. Then move on to the bath on Day 2. Then head to  the living room and then the kitchen (which is where statistically people spend the most time in the home.) This activity alone will have your brain making wrinkles quickly. (When your brain generates wrinkles, it means you're processing information.)

Enjoy a favorite feature film with the French translation: I would advise getting either a French movie (made or produced by the French) or getting a favorite movie that is translated (synced) in French. The first recommendation is better because you're hearing the proper French pronunciation and may be able to attain the French movie with closed-captioning (which is the equivalent of getting it subtitled).

However, choosing the second option - a feature you are already familiar with- is also a good choice because you know the plot and hence you will be able to match the words and phrases with the events in the movie. It also requires you to pay a little closer attention to the story line, thereby reactivating the mind again.

With the advent of new technologies, you can often turn and turn off closed captioning. I would recommend you watch the movie with the subtitles off in the first round. And then follow it again with the subtitles on. This way you're hearing the conversations twice, activating your memory. By hearing the phrases and pronunciation, spoke in a true French accent, you're getting a real feel for "what it is really like to live in France."

The French learn to speak French in their own environment and now you can, too. For more tips and pointers to learn French, check out more of our articles at:

-- Learn Conversational French
-- Learn French Phrases
-- Learn to Speak French Fluently

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