Frustrating language learning

[holy_secret]

Background story.
I went on a eurotrip, fell in love while in Paris, went back home and decided to move there.
Yeah yeah please ignore the biggest cliché ever and move along.

I have, since as far as I can remember, strongly disliked the french language. I've always thought it sounded completely absurd. The spelling was also a subject of my distaste.

So here I am, forced to learn the language, in love with a french person and moving to the country.
It's like god was running low on dark-irony.

I know this sounds silly to you, escapist forumites, but this is really frustrating me beyond words. I am almost crying right now, because I am studying this language (and taking a break from it) at this moment.

What should I do to get rid of this feeling of panic within me and start studying french properly?

 

[Cptntequila]

I recently moved to Switzerland and in the part I live they speak German, well Swiss German but that's a whole other story... I used to hate the language.

It wasn't until I developed a basic understanding of the language that I began to appreciate it. As you learn more and more and get used to the language it won't be so hard on the ears. Even before you can effectively get your point accross you will develope an ear for it and really start to feel more comfortable. Once you can start picking up conversations others are having or at least know what the shop keeper is asking you everything gets better.

I know it sounds weird but me and my other friends who are learning German all talk about the day when the language didn't sound so...foreign anymore. I used Rosetta Stone to start (awesome) and have lately been putting myself in situations where German is my only option, the local bars, and I find that when people realize you are making an effort to learn their language they are very helpful and understanding.

Best of luck and don't get discouraged. Cartoons dubbed in French with English subtitles would be a great way to start. I watched hours of German Spongebob and believe it or not it really really helped!

PS - I was in Paris recently and it is a city that is hard not to fall in love with! I'm hoping for the best for you! Oh and your PS3 will play any Euro game but not Euro Blu Rays. And if you play xbox just plan on buying a new one and order your games from amazon UK in order to get a good price and ensure they are in English.

 

[Blank Verse]

I've been in a similar situation.

Okay, without the love, but being forced to learn a language I had no interest in. I recommend making a habit out of:

1)Making note-cards for vocabulary and
2)carrying them every-where with you.

Make a habit out of both. Is it painful? Yes, but if you engrain it into habit it becomes less bothersome. Taking the bus some-where? Might as well read/practice note-cards while you're in the bus. Waiting outside an office? I'm sure you get the idea. Practice whenever you can. The sheer volume of how often you practice should (help) acclimate you toward X language.

I did this in order to learn Mandarin. It's not a cure, but it has mitigated my disdain, and I now quite like Mandarin.

 

[holy_secret]

I recently moved to Switzerland and in the part I live they speak German, well Swiss German but that's a whole other story... I used to hate the language.

It wasn't until I developed a basic understanding of the language that I began to appreciate it. As you learn more and more and get used to the language it won't be so hard on the ears. Even before you can effectively get your point accross you will develope an ear for it and really start to feel more comfortable. Once you can start picking up conversations others are having or at least know what the shop keeper is asking you everything gets better.

I know it sounds weird but me and my other friends who are learning German all talk about the day when the language didn't sound so...foreign anymore. I used Rosetta Stone to start (awesome) and have lately been putting myself in situations where German is my only option, the local bars, and I find that when people realize you are making an effort to learn their language they are very helpful and understanding.

Best of luck and don't get discouraged. Cartoons dubbed in French with English subtitles would be a great way to start. I watched hours of German Spongebob and believe it or not it really really helped!

PS - I was in Paris recently and it is a city that is hard not to fall in love with! I'm hoping for the best for you! Oh and your PS3 will play any Euro game but not Euro Blu Rays. And if you play xbox just plan on buying a new one and order your games from amazon UK in order to get a good price and ensure they are in English.

Kannst du mir bitte die verdammte Sprache beibringen? Ich rate du sprichst Französisch.

And how the hell did you know I had a PS3?
Well, not anymore. I just sold everything I own in order to afford going to Paris. I assumed since I wouldn't need them anymore I might as well do so.
Some swiss french dude told me I should watch children's movies and books. I guess that would be a good idea.
And I hate myself for falling in love with someone in Paris. I'm supposed to be special damn it! >:<

 

[Dyme]

I recently moved to Switzerland and in the part I live they speak German, well Swiss German but that's a whole other story... I used to hate the language.

I am German, and I can't understand Swiss German. Don't like their ch sounds.

I could choose to learn French or Latin in 7th grade or so and learned Latin. Worst decision ever.
French is the best-sounding language by far. It's actually incredible how they don't have any annoying sounds in their language. No English R or TH, no German CH, just perfect ^.^. And I think it shouldn't be too difficult to learn. Harder than English of course, but every language is more difficult than English. Though their spelling actually seems to make more sense than English spelling.

I know this probably doesn't help you, but I am jealous that you get to learn French.

And if this is the first foreign language you learn, some basic tips: Try to have as much contact with it as possible (music, TV, people). I was really bad at English till I started connecting the English I knew from computer games, music and internet with my school English.

 

[SilentCom]

Do it for the country, do it for your love.

 

[holy_secret]

I recently moved to Switzerland and in the part I live they speak German, well Swiss German but that's a whole other story... I used to hate the language.

I am German, and I can't understand Swiss German. Don't like their ch sounds.

I could choose to learn French or Latin in 7th grade or so and learned Latin. Worst decision ever.
French is the best-sounding language by far. It's actually incredible how they don't have any annoying sounds in their language. No English R or TH, no German CH, just perfect ^.^. And I think it shouldn't be too difficult to learn. Harder than English of course, but every language is more difficult than English. Though their spelling actually seems to make more sense than English spelling.

I know this probably doesn't help you, but I am jealous that you get to learn French.

And if this is the first foreign language you learn, some basic tips: Try to have as much contact with it as possible (music, TV, people). I was really bad at English till I started connecting the English I knew from computer games, music and internet with my school English.

German is the first foreign language I learned. I learned it from my friends, and it went really fast.
Too bad it was bavarian though a story for another time.

I don't like the sound of it. It sounds so incredibly pretentious.
The only time I really liked it was when it was whispered into my ear. God that was sexy.

Thank you for the tip! They were really helpful

Do it for the country, do it for your love.

You are right. I do it for my love. It makes it worth it.

 

[crepesack]

I speak fluent chinese and I'm currently learning japanese. Just go at your own pace. Rushing = you'll forget how to speak. I've spent a few months on learning katakana and hiragana alone and I can now read it just as fast as I can read English.

 

[Avistew]

One big thing is that people are going to keep trying to speak to you in English. Try and insist they speak French because you want to learn, otherwise you won't make much progress. Ask your friends, your love, anyone you know to speak French around you as much as possible. At first you'll miss a lot but then you'll pick it up.
Bon courage !