Self improvment - Leaning a new language?

[Slyboots]

In a fit of self improvement I've decided it would be a good idea to learn a new language (French to be exact)

But Im curious to find out from others who have done the same to see which of the different learning methods are available and which provide the best results..

I've heard the best method is "simply" move to an area of native speakers for a few months and learn it on the fly (Total immersion), but thats somewhat impractiable for a number of reasons.

So what are your opinions? So far all I can think of are:

Rosetta Stone (Bloody expencive)
Language School?
(Audio) books?

Any opinions?

 

[Slyboots]

I lasted half an hour before i realised they all spoke perfect English!!

If Im honest that was not my experiance in general, most of the major cities could speak English but once you leave Paris its something of a different story.

Plus its also a just fun to learn simply for the sake of learning, to expand your horizons and your world view And as a few people have mentioned its very fustrating when someone moves into your area with no grasp of english at all..

I dont want to be that person

 

[Slyboots]

The Linguaphone allTalk French course (approx 16 hours) is very good. It doesn't explain things particularly well if you're completely new to French but I imagine you won't be as everyone in the UK does it at secondary school (I think).

It's fun - like a soap opera and has great characters and actors voicing them. It uses a lot of idioms which you wouldn't normally learn and teaches you things you really can use in everyday situations rather than something like the Rosetta Stone which teaches rather pointless things such as "The men have a ladder."

Oh and make sure you download things like Radio France and France 24 apps for your iPhone so you can listen/watch native speakers. (Or visit their websites.)

Hahaha, I actually have Rosetta stone (On loan from the Liberary) and I can see what you mean about what it teaches you.. very odd system to say the least as I can guess answers but not tell you what Im saying

I'll check out the Linguaphone to see if they have it in stock, and your French apps (Im sure they'll exist for android) is an execlent idea!

Think there are some great tips here for any language actually lets keep em comming