"...it’s a good idea to step out of your comfort zone and get to know the basics of the local language"
In some places, like the Netherlands or Germany, one
can survive for longer periods with the aid of English only; in France this is
not the case. Here, everyday activities such as grocery shopping or buying a
transport card might become quite challenging, let alone finding an internship.
In fact, one thing that is silently known but not openly admitted is the
difficulty of finding a job in France without being fluent in French. Don’t get
me wrong, there are plenty of companies that are willing to close an eye on
this if the candidate’s profile is well fitting, but one should at least be
able to interact with co-workers in their native language.
Therefore, for the sake of a smoother everyday life
but also for the pursuit of one’s career, it is recommended to learn the basics
of the French language before arriving to France. Although it might be hard to
squeeze in French classes while preparing for the GMAT, applying to different
master’s degrees, writing a bachelor thesis or completing an internship, it
would be a small sacrifice that will yield results later on. Below are a few
tips (that can be followed anywhere, at any time) to learn the language in an
effective way.
"...it is recommended to learn the basics of the French language before arriving to France"
#1 Technology is your ally (apps, videos, etc.)
Today is probably the best era to learn new things, as
we are surrounded by tools and techniques allowing a more personalized approach
to acquiring new skills and knowledge. The good old flashcards can be useful
but slightly unpractical, so apps providing quick exercises like Duolinguo, will boost one’s vocab in no
time. Another precious tool is Easy
French, a YouTube channel offering a plethora videos (with subtitles) for
any type of user and interest.
#2 Know the Rules
Grammar is the bone structure of a language and
although studying it intensely might not be the fastest way to master a
language, having a rough knowledge of verb tenses and their uses might actually
make the difference between making people giggle and being able to impress a
recruiter. The Becherelle, a tiny (it
fits in any medium-sized purse J) booklet on verbs’ conjugations and basic grammar
rules, is definitely one’s best buddy on the journey to mastering the French
language.
"...having a rough knowledge of verb tenses and their uses might actually make the difference between making people giggle and being able to impress a recruiter."
#3 Movies & series
It is true that one is a click away from changing the
language settings on Netflix or from downloading a movie in another language, but
one can use the study of a foreign language as an excuse to get acquainted with
a completely new cinematographic tradition. Luckily, French cinema produced some
masterpieces, ranging from the classic Amélie
to the success of Intouchables.
However, for those who enjoy the lightness of series, Plus Belle la Vie and Caméra
Café should do the trick. Watching a movie in French with French subtitles
can actually help the ear get used to the new words while training the eye to
their spelling.
#4 Imagine a situation with Frenchies
Another extremely useful activity is to imagine an
everyday situation, such as visiting a provider to get a forfeit and then translate the
imaginary conversation on paper. This might sound weird to do, but it is
actually very effective as it prepares to react to ordinary events without
having the need to use the sign language.
#5 Wanted: French native speaker
Needless to say, feeling comfortable having a
conversation in a foreign language is the hardest part of the whole process and
yet probably the most crucial one, especially if the goal is to ace the
interview and get the job. And here is where the greatness of social media
comes in: believe it or not, people of any nationality living abroad will have
a Facebook group in which they share experiences and tips. All one needs to do
is to look for it (for example “Les françaises à Berlin/New York/Katmandu”) and
share a post asking if anyone is willing to spend some time weekly over a
coffee to chat in French.
"...feeling comfortable having a conversation in a foreign language is the hardest part of the whole process and yet probably the most crucial one"
Most likely, those who come forward are glad to meet
new people and to share their culture and in the best case scenario, they will
be willing to check your homework or recommend you books and movies. This is
not only much cheaper and more flexible than enrolling in a traditional
language course, but also achievements will come more quickly and there’s the
chance of making a new friend.
All these are just a few of the many ways in which one
can learn a new language; however there are some key ingredients to a
successful approach: commitment and motivation. They prevent from constantly
postponing and from giving up once the first difficulties arise (rest assured,
they will). One just needs to drop the excuses, the “I’m not a language person”
idea and use downtimes fruitfully. By regularly practicing French when
commuting on public transport, while waiting for the nail polish to dry or even
during your workout routine, results will come sooner than expected.
"By regularly practicing French...results will come sooner than expected."
Written by Costanza Poser, 1st year MiM Grande Ecole Student
No comments:
Post a Comment