French

Ten Tips for Learning French

1. Start early. Good work habits early in the semester will help you progress in the course. It is better to do a little each day rather than spend hours reviewing before a quiz or exam. Don’t fall behind – or if you do, catch up quickly by asking for help!
2. Attend class and take good notes. Each time you are absent or late, your class participation grade will be lowered. If you miss a language class, getting class notes from someone else does not help much. Reserve a section of your notebook for class vocabulary. Separate verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs and prepositions. This will make it easier for you to review before exams.
3. Work outside of class and form a study group. We have a very limited number of class hours. You need to spend a significant amount of time (5 to 12 hours per week) doing homework, review, listening, speaking, and writing practice outside the classroom, in order to make progress in the language. Exchange contact information with one or two of your classmates and form a study/review group. You will make friends, learn by helping others, and practice your French.
4. Speak French. The only way to learn a language is to use it. There is a high correlation between class participation, review outside of class, and success in the course. In addition to trying to speak French in class (even when it would be much easier to speak English) and completing listening/speaking exercises, practice speaking and pronunciation with a French tutor (see no. 5). You can also participate in French-Francophone Club events (see no. 8 below).
5. See the Tutors. The QC Learning Commons in Kiely Hall offers virtual and in-person FREE tutoring to students in F111, F112, F203, F204 and other courses. Don’t wait until the day before the exam to ask for help. You will receive a coupon worth +1 point on a chapter exam if you spend 15 minutes working with the tutor.
6. Ask your professor about your progress. If you have questions or concerns about the course or your progress, see your instructor. Have realistic expectations: You will not master the French language in one semester. (Think about how much constant practice children need to master their first language.) Depending on the level of fluency you wish to develop, you should consider a French minor or major.
7. Add a French minor or major. All courses in our program (including French 111) can count toward the major or minor in French. A French major or minor can be combined with majors/minors in Francophone African Studies, Economics, BALA, Political Science, Accounting, Media Studies, Elementary Education, or Secondary Education. If you would like to know more about future courses or a major/minor in French, contact the French Undergraduate Adviser, Professor Régine Joseph, régine.joseph@qc.cuny.edu, or go to the French Program web site.
8. Join the Queens College French/Francophone Club. The QC French/Francophone Club is a student-run club that meets throughout the semester for conversation, film viewings, trips to French and Francophone events in NYC and beyond. To join or get information, see the Queens College French/Francophone Club Facebook page or e-mail: QCFrenchClub@gmail.com.
9. Open your eyes and ears. There are many opportunities to speak/hear French in NYC. Many of these events are FREE. FIAF, the Maison Française at NYU or the one at Columbia University present a selection of free or low-cost films and other events. You can watch the French evening news on Ch. 21 every night at 7PM. You can access “easy” French newscasts at Radio France Internationale or “real” French newscasts at WNYE 91.5FM, tf1.fr, france.tv, and tv5monde.com.
10. Making mistakes will help you improve. Don’t worry about making mistakes. The only way to learn a language is to make mistakes. Nobody expects you to get it right the first time. If you participate actively in class by speaking, completing assignments on time, and paying close attention to your instructor and your classmates, you will succeed.

Bon courage et bonne chance!