Resources for Learning a Language or Developing Conversational Skills

I will continue to update this list regularly, so check back for more!

Learning a language happens on many levels, and through diverse efforts. Reading, speaking, listening, and writing are all related skills, but we sometimes develop them at different rates. For some of us, the goal is simply to communicate and to connect with speakers from outside our culture or language. Being polite, reading a menu, getting around, and maybe making a few jokes can be a reachable goal. Some of us are writers and therefore need more polish and better grammar. Many of us are professionals and would like to develop clarity and good presentation skills. Others would like to watch a film or a TV show and understand without subtitles, or perhaps read novels or philosophy in the original language. Some of us find the weekly conversations easy, and others are hoping to practice and build their knowledge, vocabulary, and comprehension. While a level of fluency can be achieved more quickly, learning a language well can be a lifelong process.

We frequently have discussions related to a wide range of helpful resources. Here are a few recent ideas from our members:

• News in Slow French  – A listening program available by subscription. A good way to stay up with current events, too!  https://www.newsinslowfrench.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwu4WoBhBkEiwAojNdXmuLKx1BlwZzJf1UaAi346pTghtNvwoQGpu_C9NJA_quzmc2vdsvmRoCw7MQAvD_BwE

• Coffee Break French – Podcast. https://coffeebreaklanguages.com/coffeebreakfrench/

• Online Streaming – Netflix has some great TV shows such as Lupin and the Parisian Agency. KET/PBS subscribers can get shows from France, including Agathe Koltes, Profiling, Olivia, and other shows from "Walter Presents." 

The France Channel has lots of French programming, and is available by subscription: https://www.francechannel.tv/?gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwu4WoBhBkEiwAojNdXrjcBxs5Svxoz7y0T71H0zPQO4DBTgWbGyW2huUGbVQI0dW0f4w3bBoCblUQAvD_BwE

Amazon has shows on the Acorn Channel (including Candice Renoir), the MHz Network (incl. Art of Crime), and the PBS Masterpiece Channel (incl. Alex Hugo/The Mountain Detective). 

You can use English subtitles, or try the French subtitles to catch the actual phrasing. If you watch a show or film several times, you may find that you are able to keep up with the dialogue pretty well. This is great for learning slang, distinguishing between accents, and for other kinds of subconscious learning.

• Radio Garden allows you to play radio stations around the world, just by clicking on a point on the interactive, spinning globe: https://radio.garden/visit/lexington-ky/IyGzb1zB

• Language Apps – I have used both Duolingo & Rosetta Stone for other languages I'm studying (Greek and German), and I find them useful somewhat. Rosetta Stone is probably my favorite for the overall learning experience, and for the rate of progression. Duolingo often feels repetitive and slow, and does not introduce topics as fully. It does make a game of learning, but it often seems like the game aspects are more prominent than the actual language progression. The great advantage to both are the options to listen to words and to practice pronunciation. Duolingo does a good job of teaching sentence structure and formation. 

• Google Books – This may seem like an obvious resource, but it is great for searching for free books (or book previews) in French!

• Gallica – This is a great resource from the BNF for downloadable French publications. https://gallica.bnf.fr/accueil/en/content/accueil-en?mode=desktop

• TV5Monde – In addition to regular programming available for streaming, the French TV channel also has an online site with free tutorials to learn French: https://apprendre.tv5monde.com/en 

Message me to add to this list or comment below!