Like many Canadians, I took French from elementary to high school. Also, like many Canadians, I promptly stopped using it when I started University. I took a course about 10 years ago to brush up on my skills and I lasted about two months when the travel back and forth to classes became too cumbersome. I have had to use some French in just about every job that I have had. My understanding of written French is much better than my ability to speak the language. I can understand the gist of something if I am reading it, but if I hear people speak it, I can’t grasp what the conversation is about. It’s time for that to change.
There are many reasons why spending some time learning the language again is important. DIVINE is a bilingual site and I’d like to at least have the ability to have a conversation with someone in French if they are based out of Quebec. I’m also an avid traveler, and French is spoken on five continents. It is a romantic language which means Spanish, Italian and Portugeuse should be easier to learn. Also, doesn’t everything sound so much better and more romantic in French? Finally, I already know some bits and pieces of the language.
Now that the decision had been made, I also had to figure out where I was going to take lessons. Classes are so hard to fit in to an already busy schedule. It is difficult to take night classes when meetings can go longer than expected or events pop up that I have to attend. Weekends are for playing catch up on errands and spending time with friends and family. I needed something that could easily fit into my life. Then, I heard about Babbel.
Babbel is the world’s first language learning app. Approximately 73% of users said that they would be able to have a conversation (granted a simple one) in a new language within 5 hours of using Babbel. They use audio files with native speakers which will help with pronunciation. Since it’s an app, I can take time whenever it works with my schedule; even if I just take a few minutes out of my work day to learn. They also adapt to your style of learning because different people learn through reading, writing, speaking, seeing or listening. I am a combination of all of these styles so it seems like the perfect fit.
I never thought that I would be a person who would excel with learning on my own, it seems like the best option given my schedule. I will be sharing my progress along the way, so keep checking back as I update you on my progress.
