How to speak better xxxxxxxx ?

[RRS_Staffs]

Or specifically in my case better French

I have a decent level of conversational French, my pals think Im fluent but this is only because of their own ineptitude in languages
My experience is O level plus numerous holidays
I can get by in shops and hotels and stations etc but when the locals start nattering I quickly get lost

Any ideas on the best way to "take it to the next level" ?
Audio courses seem to be aimed at beginners, and whilst taking lessons locally would be the most obvious I just dont have a regular diary slot for this to be convenient at present

Cheers/sante!

[davepoth]

Watch French TV with the subtitles off, listen to French radio (there's a long wave station you can pick up in the south of England) read French books. Get a french Au Pair.

[PugwasHDJ80]

davepoth said:

Watch French TV with the subtitles off, listen to French radio (there's a long wave station you can pick up in the south of England) read French books. Get a french Au Pair.

the latter may help with something french but it won't be conversation

[Bodo]

It's unlikely that the au pair will do French. After all, she came to do English.

If you're more into speaking than reading/writing, the suggestion with the movie in original language is very good. Make a habit from watching French movies, or listening to French radio stations. There's lots of them available over the internet.

Else, the best thing has to be staying in France, and doing something with the locals (work/leisure).

I'm not native English, and I joined PH with only what I learnt at school. I could interpret MacBeth and Shakespeare, but not conversate on normal topics. Now, ten years in, I can swear like a Lord and write highly opinionated forum contributions

[sjg]

The internet makes it a lot easier to find books, movies, TV, news websites, and other stuff in whatever language you're studying. Actually conversing helps though - there are loads of websites, facebook groups, etc that let you find people to have a chat with over Skype or similar. Usually they hook you up with someone native in the language you're learning, but they're learning English so you can switch back and forth and learn from each other.

[Wacky Racer]

My boss many years ago used to take his sexy young french au pair into his office, draw down the blinds, lock his door and ask not to be disturbed for half an hour as he was having "french lessons"...

He always came out with a smile on his face

[davepoth]

PugwasHDJ80 said:

the latter may help with something french but it won't be conversation

If French is the language of Love, then surely Love is the language of French? That's the way I figure it anyway.

[anonymous-user]

Bodo, do you know any decent german car forums?

[Bodo]

Use Psychology said:

Bodo, do you know any decent german car forums?

I do only frequently visit PH; however, http://www.motor-talk.de/ seems quite huge!

[bleesh]

As this is PH, get the Luc Besson Taxi series of films and turn off the subtitles