LEARNING FRENCH USING TECHNOLOGY

DUOLINGO IS GREAT FOR LEARNING ANOTHER LANGUAGE

This fall Olivia is going to a new school - into a french immersion program. 
I feel it would be very beneficial if old Dad brushed up on his french. How?
We know that language is best learned when you are immersed into an environment where only that language is spoken. But, if that is not possible you can turn to the internet. You can watch Youtube videos, search up worksheets, read blogs...or you can use an 'APP'. Yes, there is an app to learn french (or a handful of other languages) called DUOLINGO.

Duolingo is awesome! 

Yes, there is 'work' to do, but, not the classic "let's conjugate the verbs...je ___, tu ____, il/elle ____

This site makes learning french kind of fun. It is set up like a game - a quiz game! Oooh I love games, especially quiz games. I really like when they start off really easy and you feel so smart. Then I adore (that's french for love) when the challenge level rises as if there is an algorithm tracking all your answers/mistakes and tailoring the questions for you...hmmm

It does start off kind of easy with multiple choice formats, or even pictures...

easy enough

Even if you have no idea what is going on and you guess right you can still learn a bit by the explanations the site gives you.

ahh, that's what it meant

Then is gets a bit harder. Luckily, you can hover your mouse over the words and get a translation...help that eliminates that feeling of total terror when you feel completely lost in another language. 

tu mange (hover over apple to see if it is feminine or masculine)

They keep in interesting by mixing in french and english - makes you think (and learn too!)
If you make a mistake you get an explanation. There are more indepth conversations in a message board that can be helpful as well.

Oooh, I made a mistake

BUT, what I love about technology is that there is much more than just typing and reading...you can click on the little icon and listen to the words being spoken. Another level of learning right there!

I can hear the words...in FRENCH!

And, to keep you motivated you get points everytime you finish a 'round' of learning. If you finish an entire lesson plan you get a crown! Ooh. You can go a bit further by setting your daily goal of X number of points, and there are extra bonuses along the way.

I've met my daily goal, yay me!

I love how the lessons are set up. They are split in sections/topics; starting with basics and you have to earn your way to more advanced stuff. 
There is a small lesson you should read before tacking the questions. They are easy to follow and usually have charts to refer to if needed.

On top of all this there are a couple of other extra learning tools.

Flashcards. We all know flashcards work for memorizing single words or phrases - well, they've done it digitally. The great part is that you can read the word, hear the word, see it in context. Isn't technology great?!

There is also a practice section where you are bombarded with a random assortment of questions. It's a timed, high pressure 'game', that makes things fun (if you like that sort of thing).

The best part is you can review your questions and answers. Another great way to learn.

I have found this site and app so useful. You are given all kinds of different ways of learning french (or as I mentioned earlier a bunch of other languages too) and it is fun along the way.
A great tool to have in your toolbox of learning :)