subject: French Language Learning Software - When You Really Need To Learn French Quickly [print this page] If you need to learn French quickly, French language learning software is difficult to beat. In fact about the only thing faster would be intensive one-to-one French lessons. Personal lessons are without doubt the best option but the are potentially severe drawbacks. First you have to find a good teacher - not always easy. Then you have to fit them in with your schedule. Then there's the cost - considerable for private tuition.
If you don't need to learn French fast then you can start by looking at those sites that offer learning French for free. There are plenty of them about, and while some are a bit annoying with the amount of advertising they throw at you, there are others which provide really useful content.
The trouble is, even the best have a limited range of useful information. If you want to learn French to a high standard it's very difficult with the kind of unstructured free French lessons that you find on the internet. Some of these sites do a very good job of providing useful phrases for all kinds of situations but they aren't going to be able to teach you fluent French quickly.
Free sites are good for a bit of fun - for French that might get you a cup of coffee or a train ticket. Conversational French requires a more structured and comprehensive approach.
I'm not for an instant suggesting that French language learning software is dull. Far from it. If you're going to learn French quickly it needs to be engaging, involving and entertaining. If it bores you you'll get nowhere fast! Modern French teaching systems take advantage of many of the benefits of your computer to provide sound, interactive role play and advanced memory techniques so you can make rapid progress.
There are other advantages. When you compare French downloads with the French language CDs you'll notice that the downloads will give you big savings. Over 50% in some cases. Cost shouldn't be the defining factor when you are looking for the best system, but it does no harm when the best doesn't mean the most expensive! There's also accessibility. Find your French software, download it, start learning. No waiting for the mail, just get going. Some of the better ones even offer money back guarantees.
If you're not in any hurry, try the free French lessons online. Explore a bit and find the good ones. If you really want to learn French quickly you need to spend a few bucks and find good French language learning software.
