Desiring to learn a second language for a language test like TEF Canada, TCF or DELF-DALF, etc. is quite different from eventually starting to learn the language whether be it French or any other language. There are some basic fundamentals you just have to employ to get from where you are to where you want to be in weeks, months or years’ time. And the fun part is that, the steps do not cost an arm and a leg. Let’s dive into it!…
Desiring to learn a second language for a language test like TEF Canada, TCF or DELF-DALF, etc. is quite different from eventually starting to learn the language whether be it French or any other language. There are some basic fundamentals you just have to employ to get from where you are to where you want to be in weeks, months or years’ time. And the fun part is that, the steps do not cost an arm and a leg. Let’s dive into it!
Make a Decision
Ask yourself the crucial question “When do I want to learn French?” now. There is no right or wrong answer. Just take the test based on your own judgment. I have given you some potential answers below; you can choose one of them if they relate to your decision.
I want to learn French now
I want to learn French later
I want to learn French in a months’ time
I want to learn French in months’ time
How many months’ time?
I want to learn French in a year time
I want to learn French in years’ time
How many years’ time?
Set A Goal
Let’s get real with French learning for TEF Canada test. You need to begin setting SMART goal. A smart goal must be:
SPECIFIC: What exactly do you want to achieve?
MEASURABLE: How many grades or points of TEF Canada do you need?
ACHIEVABLE: Can you get to attain this point from your current level within this time frame?
RELEVANT: How important is learning French for TEF Canada to you now?
TIME-BOUND: Have you put an exact time you want to learn French and prepare for the examination?
NB: Planning is about knowing your numbers.Let’s Do Some Calculations
According to the Foreign Service Institute US and Federal Ministry of Education France, languages like French take Anglophone speakers about 500-600 hours of learning to reach conversational competence. Now, you may choose one of these two options or develop yours:
Option 1: To learn French in 6 months = 24 weeks
100 hours per month (30 days) = 3 hours per day
Option 2: To learn French in 3 months = 12 weeks
200 hours per month (30 days) = 6 hours per day
Now, you should draw your own map. How long do you want to take in learning the French language?
Tap into your Inner Child
Time thinking and talking will not guarantee you speaking French. Start from the very first day.
Practice what you learn at once. French learning is much more about reading books, researching the best way, etc. It’s about you doing the speaking of the language just like a child.Find Language Learning Habits
Make learning French language for TEF Canada a lifestyle change using these strategies:
Shadowing: This technique entails you repeating what you hear from a tape, TV, radio, phone, recorder, coach or even a native French speaker.
Self-Mirroring: This involves a learner staying in front of a mirror, glass or any translucent device pronouncing French sounds and words.
Tutoring: Here, a skilled individual is involved in this with you. You learn with the help of a person who knows French more than you.
Communication: You hold conversations with a French speaker or a Francophile (especially an advanced or expert user or learner of French language).
Make Mistakes
Interaction is key. Mistakes are inevitable. Fear not for them. Native speakers are like language parents. Any attempt from you to communicate in their language is objective proof that you are a gifted genius. They will appreciate your effort and even help you. The more you speak, the more you will make mistakes, and conversely the more you get to improve in order to get to the elusive ideal of “native-like” fluency. Find native speakers near you and just speak with them. Do not worry about making mistakes. They are just stepping stones to fluency.Use Confidence
Confidence has a way of making you look attractive and eloquent. The way you speak determines the way you are looked upon, similarly the way you are dressed is the way you are going to be addressed. Don’t be timid in your speaking, speak rather eloquent in errors. Practice makes perfect, so in time you will get to that eloquence. Make friends that help you get confident in your French learning process. Some people don’t know much but others feel they do because of how they portray what they do know. Don’t fake it or act up, just show the part.
Keep Track
I know life has its ways but don’t let it play a prank on you. Become organized in your learning process. Make a Productivity Tracker (if you need a free sample of this, request for it by commenting under this article with your name, email address and phone number) of all the list of activities you would like to do on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Don’t just learn without a pattern, develop yours, stick to it and make sure you are cognizant of the results you’re getting from it frequently. Evaluate yourself after a few weeks to a month. Were you able to do____? If not, why? What worked? What didn’t? Then, start again!Get Peer Pressure
The main reason why we at A.O.S Academy pair you with language partner(s) when you enroll for any of our online courses is to build up positive peer pressure in you. Naturally, some people are more focused than others. So, you can get strength from each other or one another. NB: Don’t get resentful with someone else’s progress. And the other shouldn’t be filled with pride by his or her progress. It’s all about balance and support. You can choose your partner(s) on our Facebook group of over 1,000 French learners and coaches yourself when you enroll, though at the beginning of any of our courses, we’ll give you a partner to begin with.
Work with your Coach
This step is very paramount. They help you become just like them. Each language coach on our Facebook group for instance is assigned a definite number of language students, so work closely with your own coach when you enroll. You can however practice French with every other coach and even students in and out of the group at any time permissible by them. Learn from their mistakes, questions, clarifications, etc. Your coach will be announced to you via email or on the group immediately you enroll.Reward Yourself
I realized that people forget this part, so I now emphasize more on it. This serves as a very good source of motivation to you while learning. When you start learning French, give yourself a treat or something. When you learn how to pronounce French sounds very well, buy yourself a gift. When you learn your first 500 words, go sight-seeing. When you can construct French sentences, take a beach-ride. When you can speak spontaneously in French conversations, travel to a French country. NB: Don’t forget to use French in rewarding yourself.
Record Yourself
The way you speak will be most certainly different from that of your coach. Record how you use the language, listen to it, send your audios to your coach and make corrections on them after working on them. I always recommend making your first audio ever in French and keep it without deleting up until 3-6 months’ time and see the difference. One thing is sure if you take any of our online courses, do the assignments and tests, you would have improved drastically.Adapt your Hobby and Profession
Are you a chemist? How about reading scientific journals in French?
Are you a sport lover? Why don’t you hear French commentaries?
Are you a driver? Won’t it profit you to look at French on the dashboard?
Do you like to go shopping? Why don’t you learn trading words?
Do you like watching TV? How about seeing French movies?
Do you love chatting? Why don’t you mix French with your chats?
I leave you with this question for deep thoughts. Do you really need to learn French for TEF Canada test now? If yes, this is the best advice I can give you “use these tips and thank me later.” For more inquiries on our online courses, contact us on 08107714449 or visit www.frenchTEFcanada.com