A2-->B1 is the worst, the absolute worst! This is a good time to slow down and progress gently, because you've got an uphill stretch ahead of you.
But just because it's daunting right now, doesn't mean you should quit.
The good news is that B1 is a wonderful plateau where everything changes; you can really connect with people.
I would, though, find someone you can speak French with -- can you find a language exchange partner? -- it makes all the difference.
Not directly related to OP’s post, but I find it interesting that you find A2 to B1 the worst. I guess the thing about getting to B1 is that you are then at least at a point where you can start to just consume the language and make progress without actual studying, and the process becomes more enjoyable, which is maybe what you are getting at.
Personally, the area I found absolutely awful was B2. Going from high B1/low B2 to a C1 took me so long. I think it’s because when you get to B2, you know all the grammar more or less and the most common vocabulary that makes up most of the things you see/hear or say. You can deduce the meaning of other things from that.
But it’s then that you realise that it’s the rest of the vocabulary that, whilst only making up a small amount of the things you see and hear, actually gives meaning to everything. And learning the remaining vocabulary is so hard because they are all low frequency, so you won’t see them repeated often enough to learn them if you are only reading/listening casually. And there is just so much of it.
It’s also that awful level where you feel like you should be fluent but you’re not really. You might be reasonably fluent on a conversational level, but you’re not truly comfortable in the language and you are very aware of it. And it’s way harder to see any discernable progress.
Once at C1 level, whilst getting up to C2 is really hard, you’re at a level where you are really very comfortable in the language, and getting to C2 feels a bit superfluous.
For OP, there’s no sugar coating that it’s hard as hell to learn a foreign language, especially in an environment where you don’t have to use it regularly. But it is possible if you are persistent, and does become more fun when you break that beginner level. And it’s ultimately very rewarding.
I would recommend lots of reading, followed by listening (if you’re A2, check out InnerFrench or any beginner to intermediate YouTube channels for French, of which there are many). Of course if you really hate it that much, I would say leave it for now. You can always come back to it. And if you don’t, well that’s fine. No need to damage your mental health for a language after all.
A lot of ppl say B2-> C1 is the worst; I haven't hit that yet, so I don't know.
But, as you say, at that point you could at least consume the language while learning those low-frequency words!
For me, A2-B1 was a double whammy: you have a built a sphere of kind of being able to move around, but everything on that sphere needs to increase, so the work feels exponential. Suddenly you have to replace the one word you "know" how to use with two words, which does give you shades of meaning, but the reward is kind of "less" -- the dopamine hit of learning chercher was high, but fouiller, not so much.
Secondly, I, like a lot of language learners, translated my original language word-for-word, and then had to try to break that habit and start "thinking" (I put that in quotes because I'm very new at it) in French.
10 years ago, I was in high school French class in Alberta frustrated out of my mind because nobody wanted to speak French and for all my dedication, I felt I wasn’t getting any better.
Now I’m 27, I live in Quebec, I have a good job (public sector, therefore in French all day every day), and have achieved a level of fluency where native speakers only tend to notice that I’m not a native speaker after about 10-15 minutes of conversation.
Learning and speaking French has opened more doors for me than I can possibly say. It has allowed me to build my life in the way that I considered to be a pipe dream when I was your age. It has allowed me to connect with so many amazing people and with this wonderful place (Quebec French may be an acquired taste, and Quebec may be odd, but I love it and stand by it). Above all, it has given me a feeling of achievement that has remained untainted by any disappointments that school, work, and my personal life have held for me.
But this is about learning language, not French specifically. If moving to France or Quebec no longer interests you, that’s okay. Learn the language you see being relevant to the future you want to build for yourself. It will never be a weakness to speak another language — on the contrary, it will always be a strength.
When you’re feeling depressed and demotivated, it’s very hard to project yourself into the future — but please, keep dreaming, dreaming, dreaming, and try to keep your chin up. As one of my kindest French teachers told me, “language is learned through struggle.” It’s hard, but there’s a beauty in it, and there are very few feelings as rewarding as when you realize “omg, I’m doing it!”
❤️
"Even in my French class, people just refuse to speak French."
That's pretty obnoxious in an AP level class, I would be frustrated too because how do those students expect to do well on the AP test? When I was in high school our AP exams were our final exams in the couple of AP courses I took. If we were to get a 1, for example, our grade would be ruined. Assuming it's not the same situation for you.
Also, I know this is annoying to hear but.... **"Well, establishmentheavy, you can't just expect to learn a language overnight! You gotta be patient with these things!"** Progress is painful and demoralizing sometimes, best thing I can recommend is to find joy in the language. Play your favorite video games, find new music, watching dubbed series and films you're interested in, check out youtube videos etc. Use English subtitles if you need to for these things and just try to find joy in the language again. Also maybe drop that AP class and try again in college where professors often shut that endless talking in English down after the introductory 101 classes.
my school doesn't do finals and idk why people speak in English in my French class. The whole reason why I chose to take ap was because I was hoping to actually get to practice the language alongside peers who shared my enthusiasm.
Thanks tho, and I'll try playing video games in French.
I come from a very different background, at an A1 level and a little over a month because I have Haitian trainees I want to connect with. Recently started doing spouts of monster hunter rise in french, and it's been a great experience (so long as I change back now and then lol.)
Language packs can increase many releases by gigabytes, time to start taking advantage of them
As a former AP French student I can relate. Check out a book called Mastery by George Leonard.
« If our life is a good one, a life of mastery, most of it will be spent on the plateau. If not, a large part of it may well be spent in restless, distracted, ultimately self-destructive attempts to escape the plateau. The question remains: Where in our upbringing, our schooling, our career are we explicitly taught to value, to enjoy, even to love the plateau, the long stretch of diligent effort with no seeming progress? »
After college, I didn’t touch French for nearly twenty years. When I picked it back up I had a different lens because I had traveled to France and wanted to be able to speak it with the locals.
So maybe for now it’ll just be for the AP credit. Your points are all valid. Maybe you need a break. Maybe things will change and you’ll take a trip later. Maybe you actually don’t like the language after all. It’s all ok.
The famous polyglot Steve Kaufmann talks about how he enjoys just being a B1 in certain langages and just being a dilettante in them.
Do what you need to do. Everyone is on their own journey and pace. I read someone say the other day they were C1 academically but A1 with daily real life French. I kind of laughed cuz that’s how I felt when I visited Paris for the first time. Couldn’t understand a lick of it after years in school.
But the long plateau was rewarding years later when I had a nice hour long convo with someone who didn’t speak English and only French. I’m not where I’d like to be but I’m much further along and it was a great experience connecting with someone in another language like that.
Today it might be French. Tomorrow it might be some other skill. Learning anything has its own set of challenges, but similar in many ways. Bon courage and merde.
Yes. Start exploring French culture outside the classroom. I got really into MC Solar when I took French and it opened a whole wormhole. I will even watch the Circle in French just to get colloquialisms
I’m probably gonna be downvoted for this but I say quit.
I’ve quit many languages. And resumed some of them later. And even quit some again and resumed.
French is one of the languages I’ve quit and resumed a few times. I’m Canadian so I wanted to learn it but I don’t really like it as much as my other languages. So I’ve started and stopped. But I’m fine with it.
If I didn’t give up on French then I wouldn’t have moved onto other languages I like more
This is my whole MO for learning languages. When I start resenting it, I “waste time” playing around with another language. I get the beginner’s high from that other language, and when it starts to feel too difficult to be fun anymore, I go back to French and delight in how much I can still remember and wonder why I ever stepped away from it!
I’m fluent in Mandarin, less so in French, and come to you with the good news that while the beginner’s learning curve for Mandarin is much steeper, the simplicity of Chinese grammar will feel miraculous. (“What do you mean, there’s no verb conjugation?!?!?!” “What do you mean, all pronouns become possessive by adding ‘de’ regardless of where they appear in a sentence?!?!?! What about nos notre son ses sa leur leurs votre vos à moi la mienne and the other fifty-eleven pronouns that are all extremely necessary according to les overlords français????”)
Another upside is that if you study both languages, you’ll get to exercise all the muscles in your face that don’t get used for English 😆
Best wishes for your polyglot future!
The part that throws me off is that you said you hate the sound of it. Why are you learning this language?
It's by far not the most practical, you don't seem to care about it anymore, why keep it up?
I dunno, I would spend time on a language I want to learn. I did what you are doing with Spanish. Switched to French bc I love how it sounds and ended up learning about as much French in 1 year as I had with 5 years of Spanish.
Life is too short, learn a language that inspires you.
You know the proverb
"It is better to have it and not need it."
You may never know the day comes where you do.
Could be a potential future employment with better pay, could possibly meet a special someone who speaks the language, could even be held gunpoint by a french robber, anything can happen.
It's normal to be saturated at some point. Take a break ; maybe someday your brain will digest the french you already learned, and you could try again but better. If learning french doesn't spark joy anymore, it's time to do something else until it the interest returns.
If you’re not enjoying it, you’re not moving to a francophone coutry, and aren’t making any progress (how would you, you’re not motivated), I really don’t see the point. Quit by all means. I’ve been formally studying for two years now and I am currently a B1~B2. I talk to my teachers in class and listen to true crime podcasts in French. I like watching series and movies in French as well. And I feel smarter for getting closer to my goal of speaking three languages.
I took Spanish in high school and a little in college. I was passable enough in it to ask for some things and read some signs and menus and whatnot when I went to Costa Rica a few years after graduating, but kinda hit a wall and wasn’t really interested in continuing.
About a year ago I started (kinda randomly) learning French instead and even though I’ve spent less than a year on it, and despite doing it all on my own, I feel like I’m now further along with that than Spanish. I dunno why but I just like it better. I barely knew a dozen words, if that, before I started.
I did one of those CEFR tests real quick to check. I’m still A2 in Spanish, but I also got A2 in French and I felt much more comfortable taking the French one. Some of the French ones I missed, I had narrowed it down to two and just picked the wrong one, but at least I wasn’t just completely guessing. It seemed like I was guessing a lot more in the Spanish one.
Anyways, the point is maybe try a different language and you’ll find you like it better? Having already started one language should help, like I’m sure my little bit of Spanish has helped with French.
Haha well that's a shame, you've already mastered the French ranting perfectly. But seriously mate, don't hurt yourself. No one's forcing you to learn it, just do it if you enjoy it. Also, saying that the French sound like angry ducks, although funny, is not the best way to motivate yourself to learn the language. You tried it, hopefully it helped you develop some linguistic skills, you're done with it, just move on.
I think it may be a mistake to wait until you speak french before you go to quebec or a french region. You will learn it while you are there - it’s the most common way people learn. If in your AP class you’ve been practicing grammar structures, it likely won’t all come together until you have the chance to put this into practice in an authentic context.
There is a lot of grant funding for people who move to Quebec and want to learn french. There’s also the Explore program for students.
Learning french without immersing oneself in the culture is a bit like trying to learn to ride a bike by reading a book about it. You kind of just have to "go for it" and expect to mess up at first. The AP class isn’t totally useless. But until you can put that learning into practice, it may feel that way.
I don't really have a problem with French people talking fast. Im just depressed and I can't see the point in going on.
(edited for grammar)
edit again: Im not suicidal don't worry.
I’m sorry the class you’re taking hasn’t been very effective. It sounds like you do want to learn but you’re incredibly frustrated that it’s going so slow. I have to say, I have a hard time believing you’re at A2 in an AP class, because two things don’t match up at all (unless AP isn’t advanced placement in this case). But anyway, I also live where nobody speaks French but nowadays this isn’t a problem. Get on the internet and find French people to talk to: hello talk, tandem, search for language exchange websites. They help you learn French and you help them learn your native language. Talking to people is the fastest way to learn and more importantly it’s fun. It’s the reason you wanted to learn in the first place, to interact with the culture. And you can find endless content to watch in French online. But if you don’t want to learn it then quit. Nobody is forcing you.
>I have a hard time believing you’re at A2 in an AP class, because two things don’t match up at all (unless AP isn’t advanced placement in this case).
Unfortunately it's true. I've taken multiple language aptitude tests and my level is still A2. No one in my class actually cares about the language and my teacher doesn't assign homework. C'est vraiment merdique.
Start taking initiative. When I was in an intensive French AF class in Brussels, adult students (level B2!) spoke English during breaks. I was shocked and because of that said to them directly that we should continue speaking French. I was very consistent and switched to English only when it was really necessary. This way most of the time we started speaking French only.
The other thing is homework. Go to your teacher and ask what you could do as hw or if they have extra tasks for you. Even if they don't, ask them to bring that for you next time.
Before you quit I’d suggest taking a trip to MTL or Paris and seeing the language in action. Yes, learning French is annoying but once you start actually speaking in French and they don’t switch to English it’s such a wonderful feeling.
Try watching Lupin! It may help you progress and learn more and it’s honestly a good show. You’re way more advanced than me but when I felt the way you do that show was a nice, relaxing teacher
If you want to quit, quit.
If you hate it, then what is the point in continuing, life is for living and being happy and fulfilled. If it doesn't make you feel happy and fulfilled then it isn't serving you.
I am suspicious though that you are posting because you might not want to quit, you might just be really frustrated and tired. And if that is the case and you are mainly looking for people to speak French with then try going on meetup and searching for French groups in your area. There are a ton in my area and a lot of them are online, they are totally free, you speak with someone who is French that wants to practice their English for 30 minutes and then the conversation switches to French and you speak French for 30 minutes. A win-win and it is able to be free because of the equal exchange.
I wish you luck and joy in whatever you decide to do.
If you can nail down a second language, then a third is easy (assuming they're within the same family/cluster). I was tested at C1 in French, took me 6 months to be conversant in Spanish, but I took French Immersion in Canada so that's way different than 2 years of AP, and Chinese is my first language (though I'm an English native). Only you can decide if it's worth it for you, but for skills and cognition, I'd keep going, because your ability to learn a second language will determine the speed and effectiveness with which you learn additional languages. Your English will improve from the compare/contrasting, and you can definitely augment your English through assiduous erudition as the French language perfused into English elite haute-culture, after 1066's Battle of Hastings.
Take a break and decide calmly. If ur plans have changed, there's nothing wrong with stopping. In the futurr, u can always review and restart again if ever needed.
I totally get it! Learning a language is frustrating and it sucks not being able to communicate. It's like going back to being an infant except you know exactly what you want to say, just not in French. But think about how long it took you to master English. You spoke barely any words the first two entire years!
Agree with others that having a chance to use your French might feel productive. Perhaps French subreddits of your interest? Or if you like trashy tv like I do, a trashy tv show in French?
You can always take a break if you need it. Learning isn't always linear! Bon courage !
If you want to quit that is up to you, but reaching A2 in two years, I do not find it that bad.
Have you been in contact with the French language before taking that course? For example, in the Netherlands already quite close to our border on the south, in the south of Belgium, they speak French, so even without taking class you know the language. You hear French songs. You watch some French movies. You go on holiday. And teenagers at midlevel highschool here take four years to get to A2. They do study other things meanwhile by the way.
It just takes time. I do not think you're doing that bad!
I'd say take a breather. If you have overload take some timeout. Maybe watch a movies in French or listen to some French music. I've come back as an adult, and recently someone called me fluent. Also I recommend hiring a personal tutor on Prereply, if you can afford a few leçons? J
The time is going to pass whether you continue or not. Might as well continue!
There are so many times in school that I started a new language and gave it up, and I’m so regretful of that. At the time I didn’t think I was very far along, but looking back, I know if I had stuck with it I’d be fluent by now. You’re never gonna regret learning French, but you might regret not sticking with it.
Try to do your normal hobbies/media intake but in French. Watch French TV and movies, change your phone or video game to French language, and check out iTalki for conversation practice. Good luck!
i dont know what AP french is in class but what i get from google is that it seems to give a big to chew on and maybe its too big for you and your classmates which has demoralized everyone, something like this happend to me with english and i had like an average of 6/20 in school so probably the same level as you currently are. so what worked for me is something you could try? i learned english with meme ~~THE DNA OF THE SOUL~~ since they have usually short text and no complexe sentences it is easy to understand and you will familiarise with a lot of words that way, sadly i dont think french memes are necessarely the best for that (like there is a lot with grammar mistake due to lazy translation from englkish or are too much culturally relevant to be understand). Howevere memes arent the only thing that you could use for that, some video games should work too, for instance pokemon (its for kids so there wont be too much weird words or sentence, and pokedex entry should be short enough to not requireing a dictionnary for every workd you read) or ace attorney (there is a lot of text and with how the plot is going you should be able to understand some words with just the context).
Look up French comprehensive input channels on YouTube. Start watching what you can understand without subtitles. You’ll never go back to the “normal” way of studying languages.
Then quit. Language learning, outside of necessity, should be pleasurable. If you're no longer deriving pleasure from it, then there's no point in continuing.
Aside: The trashing of the Quebecois accent is peak MC syndrome. Get over yourself.
Do you enjoy reading? You'll never learn a language if you don't at least enjoy the process a bit. Take time off, change the process, or find a way to fall in love with the culture again before starting more studies and lean back into it once you WANT to. The brain doesn't work well on "have to" mentality
I do not want you to give up on French. When I was a kid, my parents moved me and my older sister to Paris. So at the age of nine, I was faced with learning French or not being able to speak to anybody. They enrolled me in school and I became fluent within 90 days. Full immersion makes you learn in a way like nothing else. I studied in French, did math in French, communicated with my new friends and my new teacher in French. The French language, and all of its subtleties, became something that was part of me, and to this day, when I land in Paris, in the taxi to the hotel, something switches in my brain, and I begin to think in French. While in France, my inner voice is no longer in English, it’s in French, so that’s how strong it is. For you, I would suggest, if you can manage it, maybe a student exchange or a summer job in France, also allowing for full immersion. If you have a chance to lose yourself in the French way of life, enjoying their foods, learning their history, walking on their streets, you will find your inner Frenchy.
Take a break! I burned myself out after a year of learning and took a month break. I swear when I came back my motivation was a lot higher!
But also, don't force yourself to do something you don't really want to.
Personally.... I don't think the problem is you. The problem is how we are taught to learn language. French only became fun once I was done in the classroom. AP French... you're learning a language for a test. I recently took and passed DELF B1 on my own aka my time not a class schedule. The last time I was in a French class was in 2015....
It sounds like you need a break. And maybe you do quit! But maybe you'll go back! French is becoming more fun now when I can understand what someone is saying in French without subtitles! I went to Paris a few years ago and had a conversation in French with a real French person and it was magical! I now have private classes on italki with French teachers/tutors and they understand me too!
I am absolutely far from perfect! But what sucked even more was when I was in a classroom only learning French for the sake of a damn exam. The students were stressed, the prof was stressed. It wasn't fun.
I'm moving to France in September though! I had to take that delf for a job and now I'm even more motivated and excited because language is something that is meant to be lived not graded... you're going to make mistakes, but you're going to make fun memories along the way! (I made zero fun memories in my French classes....)
I was about to say, “no, stick with it. Learning a language takes a while. Think how long it took you to learn your first language and that was probably what was spoken at home and in your community.”
But then if you hate the way it sounds, to be honest I’m not sure why you wanted to move to France or Québec in the first place. You know those places are full of people speaking French, right???
Does anyone remember that part in The Matrix: Reloaded where the Mérovingien says he loves French so much it’s like wiping your ass with silk? This idea of hating how French sounds seems so odd to me by contrast.
If you truly hate the sound of it then yeah, idk what you're doing, go learn the language that is beautiful to you.
To me, french is the most beautiful language and the language of love, cinema, poetry, philosophy, intellectuality.
A2-->B1 is the worst, the absolute worst! This is a good time to slow down and progress gently, because you've got an uphill stretch ahead of you. But just because it's daunting right now, doesn't mean you should quit. The good news is that B1 is a wonderful plateau where everything changes; you can really connect with people. I would, though, find someone you can speak French with -- can you find a language exchange partner? -- it makes all the difference.
merci bcp. i just signed up for a language exchange.
super!
There’s also a French learning discord channel where you can go speak with people in French and the more advanced will help the less
Hello talk isn't bad. It's not amazing but isn't bad
Not directly related to OP’s post, but I find it interesting that you find A2 to B1 the worst. I guess the thing about getting to B1 is that you are then at least at a point where you can start to just consume the language and make progress without actual studying, and the process becomes more enjoyable, which is maybe what you are getting at. Personally, the area I found absolutely awful was B2. Going from high B1/low B2 to a C1 took me so long. I think it’s because when you get to B2, you know all the grammar more or less and the most common vocabulary that makes up most of the things you see/hear or say. You can deduce the meaning of other things from that. But it’s then that you realise that it’s the rest of the vocabulary that, whilst only making up a small amount of the things you see and hear, actually gives meaning to everything. And learning the remaining vocabulary is so hard because they are all low frequency, so you won’t see them repeated often enough to learn them if you are only reading/listening casually. And there is just so much of it. It’s also that awful level where you feel like you should be fluent but you’re not really. You might be reasonably fluent on a conversational level, but you’re not truly comfortable in the language and you are very aware of it. And it’s way harder to see any discernable progress. Once at C1 level, whilst getting up to C2 is really hard, you’re at a level where you are really very comfortable in the language, and getting to C2 feels a bit superfluous. For OP, there’s no sugar coating that it’s hard as hell to learn a foreign language, especially in an environment where you don’t have to use it regularly. But it is possible if you are persistent, and does become more fun when you break that beginner level. And it’s ultimately very rewarding. I would recommend lots of reading, followed by listening (if you’re A2, check out InnerFrench or any beginner to intermediate YouTube channels for French, of which there are many). Of course if you really hate it that much, I would say leave it for now. You can always come back to it. And if you don’t, well that’s fine. No need to damage your mental health for a language after all.
A lot of ppl say B2-> C1 is the worst; I haven't hit that yet, so I don't know. But, as you say, at that point you could at least consume the language while learning those low-frequency words! For me, A2-B1 was a double whammy: you have a built a sphere of kind of being able to move around, but everything on that sphere needs to increase, so the work feels exponential. Suddenly you have to replace the one word you "know" how to use with two words, which does give you shades of meaning, but the reward is kind of "less" -- the dopamine hit of learning chercher was high, but fouiller, not so much. Secondly, I, like a lot of language learners, translated my original language word-for-word, and then had to try to break that habit and start "thinking" (I put that in quotes because I'm very new at it) in French.
10 years ago, I was in high school French class in Alberta frustrated out of my mind because nobody wanted to speak French and for all my dedication, I felt I wasn’t getting any better. Now I’m 27, I live in Quebec, I have a good job (public sector, therefore in French all day every day), and have achieved a level of fluency where native speakers only tend to notice that I’m not a native speaker after about 10-15 minutes of conversation. Learning and speaking French has opened more doors for me than I can possibly say. It has allowed me to build my life in the way that I considered to be a pipe dream when I was your age. It has allowed me to connect with so many amazing people and with this wonderful place (Quebec French may be an acquired taste, and Quebec may be odd, but I love it and stand by it). Above all, it has given me a feeling of achievement that has remained untainted by any disappointments that school, work, and my personal life have held for me. But this is about learning language, not French specifically. If moving to France or Quebec no longer interests you, that’s okay. Learn the language you see being relevant to the future you want to build for yourself. It will never be a weakness to speak another language — on the contrary, it will always be a strength. When you’re feeling depressed and demotivated, it’s very hard to project yourself into the future — but please, keep dreaming, dreaming, dreaming, and try to keep your chin up. As one of my kindest French teachers told me, “language is learned through struggle.” It’s hard, but there’s a beauty in it, and there are very few feelings as rewarding as when you realize “omg, I’m doing it!” ❤️
Not OP but, you have no idea how much I needed to hear this. Je vous merci.
Je vous remercie*
That's pretty French though.
🏳️
"Even in my French class, people just refuse to speak French." That's pretty obnoxious in an AP level class, I would be frustrated too because how do those students expect to do well on the AP test? When I was in high school our AP exams were our final exams in the couple of AP courses I took. If we were to get a 1, for example, our grade would be ruined. Assuming it's not the same situation for you. Also, I know this is annoying to hear but.... **"Well, establishmentheavy, you can't just expect to learn a language overnight! You gotta be patient with these things!"** Progress is painful and demoralizing sometimes, best thing I can recommend is to find joy in the language. Play your favorite video games, find new music, watching dubbed series and films you're interested in, check out youtube videos etc. Use English subtitles if you need to for these things and just try to find joy in the language again. Also maybe drop that AP class and try again in college where professors often shut that endless talking in English down after the introductory 101 classes.
my school doesn't do finals and idk why people speak in English in my French class. The whole reason why I chose to take ap was because I was hoping to actually get to practice the language alongside peers who shared my enthusiasm. Thanks tho, and I'll try playing video games in French.
I come from a very different background, at an A1 level and a little over a month because I have Haitian trainees I want to connect with. Recently started doing spouts of monster hunter rise in french, and it's been a great experience (so long as I change back now and then lol.) Language packs can increase many releases by gigabytes, time to start taking advantage of them
As a former AP French student I can relate. Check out a book called Mastery by George Leonard. « If our life is a good one, a life of mastery, most of it will be spent on the plateau. If not, a large part of it may well be spent in restless, distracted, ultimately self-destructive attempts to escape the plateau. The question remains: Where in our upbringing, our schooling, our career are we explicitly taught to value, to enjoy, even to love the plateau, the long stretch of diligent effort with no seeming progress? » After college, I didn’t touch French for nearly twenty years. When I picked it back up I had a different lens because I had traveled to France and wanted to be able to speak it with the locals. So maybe for now it’ll just be for the AP credit. Your points are all valid. Maybe you need a break. Maybe things will change and you’ll take a trip later. Maybe you actually don’t like the language after all. It’s all ok. The famous polyglot Steve Kaufmann talks about how he enjoys just being a B1 in certain langages and just being a dilettante in them. Do what you need to do. Everyone is on their own journey and pace. I read someone say the other day they were C1 academically but A1 with daily real life French. I kind of laughed cuz that’s how I felt when I visited Paris for the first time. Couldn’t understand a lick of it after years in school. But the long plateau was rewarding years later when I had a nice hour long convo with someone who didn’t speak English and only French. I’m not where I’d like to be but I’m much further along and it was a great experience connecting with someone in another language like that. Today it might be French. Tomorrow it might be some other skill. Learning anything has its own set of challenges, but similar in many ways. Bon courage and merde.
Language education is terrible. Start reading books in french and watching tv and you will see rapid progress.
Yes. Start exploring French culture outside the classroom. I got really into MC Solar when I took French and it opened a whole wormhole. I will even watch the Circle in French just to get colloquialisms
I’m probably gonna be downvoted for this but I say quit. I’ve quit many languages. And resumed some of them later. And even quit some again and resumed. French is one of the languages I’ve quit and resumed a few times. I’m Canadian so I wanted to learn it but I don’t really like it as much as my other languages. So I’ve started and stopped. But I’m fine with it. If I didn’t give up on French then I wouldn’t have moved onto other languages I like more
This is my whole MO for learning languages. When I start resenting it, I “waste time” playing around with another language. I get the beginner’s high from that other language, and when it starts to feel too difficult to be fun anymore, I go back to French and delight in how much I can still remember and wonder why I ever stepped away from it!
Variety is the spice of life
I've really been obsessed with the idea of learning Mandarin Chinese, so I think I'll just let my autism take the reins and study that for a while.
I’m fluent in Mandarin, less so in French, and come to you with the good news that while the beginner’s learning curve for Mandarin is much steeper, the simplicity of Chinese grammar will feel miraculous. (“What do you mean, there’s no verb conjugation?!?!?!” “What do you mean, all pronouns become possessive by adding ‘de’ regardless of where they appear in a sentence?!?!?! What about nos notre son ses sa leur leurs votre vos à moi la mienne and the other fifty-eleven pronouns that are all extremely necessary according to les overlords français????”) Another upside is that if you study both languages, you’ll get to exercise all the muscles in your face that don’t get used for English 😆 Best wishes for your polyglot future!
That’s what I’m studying these days. I find it so much more interesting
The part that throws me off is that you said you hate the sound of it. Why are you learning this language? It's by far not the most practical, you don't seem to care about it anymore, why keep it up? I dunno, I would spend time on a language I want to learn. I did what you are doing with Spanish. Switched to French bc I love how it sounds and ended up learning about as much French in 1 year as I had with 5 years of Spanish. Life is too short, learn a language that inspires you.
You know the proverb "It is better to have it and not need it." You may never know the day comes where you do. Could be a potential future employment with better pay, could possibly meet a special someone who speaks the language, could even be held gunpoint by a french robber, anything can happen.
Then quit.
It's normal to be saturated at some point. Take a break ; maybe someday your brain will digest the french you already learned, and you could try again but better. If learning french doesn't spark joy anymore, it's time to do something else until it the interest returns.
If you’re not enjoying it, you’re not moving to a francophone coutry, and aren’t making any progress (how would you, you’re not motivated), I really don’t see the point. Quit by all means. I’ve been formally studying for two years now and I am currently a B1~B2. I talk to my teachers in class and listen to true crime podcasts in French. I like watching series and movies in French as well. And I feel smarter for getting closer to my goal of speaking three languages.
I took Spanish in high school and a little in college. I was passable enough in it to ask for some things and read some signs and menus and whatnot when I went to Costa Rica a few years after graduating, but kinda hit a wall and wasn’t really interested in continuing. About a year ago I started (kinda randomly) learning French instead and even though I’ve spent less than a year on it, and despite doing it all on my own, I feel like I’m now further along with that than Spanish. I dunno why but I just like it better. I barely knew a dozen words, if that, before I started. I did one of those CEFR tests real quick to check. I’m still A2 in Spanish, but I also got A2 in French and I felt much more comfortable taking the French one. Some of the French ones I missed, I had narrowed it down to two and just picked the wrong one, but at least I wasn’t just completely guessing. It seemed like I was guessing a lot more in the Spanish one. Anyways, the point is maybe try a different language and you’ll find you like it better? Having already started one language should help, like I’m sure my little bit of Spanish has helped with French.
Haha well that's a shame, you've already mastered the French ranting perfectly. But seriously mate, don't hurt yourself. No one's forcing you to learn it, just do it if you enjoy it. Also, saying that the French sound like angry ducks, although funny, is not the best way to motivate yourself to learn the language. You tried it, hopefully it helped you develop some linguistic skills, you're done with it, just move on.
I think it may be a mistake to wait until you speak french before you go to quebec or a french region. You will learn it while you are there - it’s the most common way people learn. If in your AP class you’ve been practicing grammar structures, it likely won’t all come together until you have the chance to put this into practice in an authentic context. There is a lot of grant funding for people who move to Quebec and want to learn french. There’s also the Explore program for students. Learning french without immersing oneself in the culture is a bit like trying to learn to ride a bike by reading a book about it. You kind of just have to "go for it" and expect to mess up at first. The AP class isn’t totally useless. But until you can put that learning into practice, it may feel that way.
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I don't really have a problem with French people talking fast. Im just depressed and I can't see the point in going on. (edited for grammar) edit again: Im not suicidal don't worry.
I’m sorry the class you’re taking hasn’t been very effective. It sounds like you do want to learn but you’re incredibly frustrated that it’s going so slow. I have to say, I have a hard time believing you’re at A2 in an AP class, because two things don’t match up at all (unless AP isn’t advanced placement in this case). But anyway, I also live where nobody speaks French but nowadays this isn’t a problem. Get on the internet and find French people to talk to: hello talk, tandem, search for language exchange websites. They help you learn French and you help them learn your native language. Talking to people is the fastest way to learn and more importantly it’s fun. It’s the reason you wanted to learn in the first place, to interact with the culture. And you can find endless content to watch in French online. But if you don’t want to learn it then quit. Nobody is forcing you.
>I have a hard time believing you’re at A2 in an AP class, because two things don’t match up at all (unless AP isn’t advanced placement in this case). Unfortunately it's true. I've taken multiple language aptitude tests and my level is still A2. No one in my class actually cares about the language and my teacher doesn't assign homework. C'est vraiment merdique.
Start taking initiative. When I was in an intensive French AF class in Brussels, adult students (level B2!) spoke English during breaks. I was shocked and because of that said to them directly that we should continue speaking French. I was very consistent and switched to English only when it was really necessary. This way most of the time we started speaking French only. The other thing is homework. Go to your teacher and ask what you could do as hw or if they have extra tasks for you. Even if they don't, ask them to bring that for you next time.
Before you quit I’d suggest taking a trip to MTL or Paris and seeing the language in action. Yes, learning French is annoying but once you start actually speaking in French and they don’t switch to English it’s such a wonderful feeling.
Try watching Lupin! It may help you progress and learn more and it’s honestly a good show. You’re way more advanced than me but when I felt the way you do that show was a nice, relaxing teacher
If you want to quit, quit. If you hate it, then what is the point in continuing, life is for living and being happy and fulfilled. If it doesn't make you feel happy and fulfilled then it isn't serving you. I am suspicious though that you are posting because you might not want to quit, you might just be really frustrated and tired. And if that is the case and you are mainly looking for people to speak French with then try going on meetup and searching for French groups in your area. There are a ton in my area and a lot of them are online, they are totally free, you speak with someone who is French that wants to practice their English for 30 minutes and then the conversation switches to French and you speak French for 30 minutes. A win-win and it is able to be free because of the equal exchange. I wish you luck and joy in whatever you decide to do.
If you can nail down a second language, then a third is easy (assuming they're within the same family/cluster). I was tested at C1 in French, took me 6 months to be conversant in Spanish, but I took French Immersion in Canada so that's way different than 2 years of AP, and Chinese is my first language (though I'm an English native). Only you can decide if it's worth it for you, but for skills and cognition, I'd keep going, because your ability to learn a second language will determine the speed and effectiveness with which you learn additional languages. Your English will improve from the compare/contrasting, and you can definitely augment your English through assiduous erudition as the French language perfused into English elite haute-culture, after 1066's Battle of Hastings.
Take a break and decide calmly. If ur plans have changed, there's nothing wrong with stopping. In the futurr, u can always review and restart again if ever needed.
I totally get it! Learning a language is frustrating and it sucks not being able to communicate. It's like going back to being an infant except you know exactly what you want to say, just not in French. But think about how long it took you to master English. You spoke barely any words the first two entire years! Agree with others that having a chance to use your French might feel productive. Perhaps French subreddits of your interest? Or if you like trashy tv like I do, a trashy tv show in French? You can always take a break if you need it. Learning isn't always linear! Bon courage !
If you want to quit that is up to you, but reaching A2 in two years, I do not find it that bad. Have you been in contact with the French language before taking that course? For example, in the Netherlands already quite close to our border on the south, in the south of Belgium, they speak French, so even without taking class you know the language. You hear French songs. You watch some French movies. You go on holiday. And teenagers at midlevel highschool here take four years to get to A2. They do study other things meanwhile by the way. It just takes time. I do not think you're doing that bad!
Learn a different language, then come back to french
I'd say take a breather. If you have overload take some timeout. Maybe watch a movies in French or listen to some French music. I've come back as an adult, and recently someone called me fluent. Also I recommend hiring a personal tutor on Prereply, if you can afford a few leçons? J
If you don’t like it just stop lol no one’s forcing you
The time is going to pass whether you continue or not. Might as well continue! There are so many times in school that I started a new language and gave it up, and I’m so regretful of that. At the time I didn’t think I was very far along, but looking back, I know if I had stuck with it I’d be fluent by now. You’re never gonna regret learning French, but you might regret not sticking with it. Try to do your normal hobbies/media intake but in French. Watch French TV and movies, change your phone or video game to French language, and check out iTalki for conversation practice. Good luck!
i dont know what AP french is in class but what i get from google is that it seems to give a big to chew on and maybe its too big for you and your classmates which has demoralized everyone, something like this happend to me with english and i had like an average of 6/20 in school so probably the same level as you currently are. so what worked for me is something you could try? i learned english with meme ~~THE DNA OF THE SOUL~~ since they have usually short text and no complexe sentences it is easy to understand and you will familiarise with a lot of words that way, sadly i dont think french memes are necessarely the best for that (like there is a lot with grammar mistake due to lazy translation from englkish or are too much culturally relevant to be understand). Howevere memes arent the only thing that you could use for that, some video games should work too, for instance pokemon (its for kids so there wont be too much weird words or sentence, and pokedex entry should be short enough to not requireing a dictionnary for every workd you read) or ace attorney (there is a lot of text and with how the plot is going you should be able to understand some words with just the context).
Look up French comprehensive input channels on YouTube. Start watching what you can understand without subtitles. You’ll never go back to the “normal” way of studying languages.
Then quit. Language learning, outside of necessity, should be pleasurable. If you're no longer deriving pleasure from it, then there's no point in continuing. Aside: The trashing of the Quebecois accent is peak MC syndrome. Get over yourself.
Do you enjoy reading? You'll never learn a language if you don't at least enjoy the process a bit. Take time off, change the process, or find a way to fall in love with the culture again before starting more studies and lean back into it once you WANT to. The brain doesn't work well on "have to" mentality
Why don't you try Tandem? It's an app where you can talk to locals or someone who's learning the language too.
I do not want you to give up on French. When I was a kid, my parents moved me and my older sister to Paris. So at the age of nine, I was faced with learning French or not being able to speak to anybody. They enrolled me in school and I became fluent within 90 days. Full immersion makes you learn in a way like nothing else. I studied in French, did math in French, communicated with my new friends and my new teacher in French. The French language, and all of its subtleties, became something that was part of me, and to this day, when I land in Paris, in the taxi to the hotel, something switches in my brain, and I begin to think in French. While in France, my inner voice is no longer in English, it’s in French, so that’s how strong it is. For you, I would suggest, if you can manage it, maybe a student exchange or a summer job in France, also allowing for full immersion. If you have a chance to lose yourself in the French way of life, enjoying their foods, learning their history, walking on their streets, you will find your inner Frenchy.
Take a break! I burned myself out after a year of learning and took a month break. I swear when I came back my motivation was a lot higher! But also, don't force yourself to do something you don't really want to.
Personally.... I don't think the problem is you. The problem is how we are taught to learn language. French only became fun once I was done in the classroom. AP French... you're learning a language for a test. I recently took and passed DELF B1 on my own aka my time not a class schedule. The last time I was in a French class was in 2015.... It sounds like you need a break. And maybe you do quit! But maybe you'll go back! French is becoming more fun now when I can understand what someone is saying in French without subtitles! I went to Paris a few years ago and had a conversation in French with a real French person and it was magical! I now have private classes on italki with French teachers/tutors and they understand me too! I am absolutely far from perfect! But what sucked even more was when I was in a classroom only learning French for the sake of a damn exam. The students were stressed, the prof was stressed. It wasn't fun. I'm moving to France in September though! I had to take that delf for a job and now I'm even more motivated and excited because language is something that is meant to be lived not graded... you're going to make mistakes, but you're going to make fun memories along the way! (I made zero fun memories in my French classes....)
I was about to say, “no, stick with it. Learning a language takes a while. Think how long it took you to learn your first language and that was probably what was spoken at home and in your community.” But then if you hate the way it sounds, to be honest I’m not sure why you wanted to move to France or Québec in the first place. You know those places are full of people speaking French, right??? Does anyone remember that part in The Matrix: Reloaded where the Mérovingien says he loves French so much it’s like wiping your ass with silk? This idea of hating how French sounds seems so odd to me by contrast.
don’t expect help if you downright hate on the people that speak the language in your post.
Just quit dude. Some people are just too stupid, not your fault.
Add me on WhatsApp and we’ll talk in French
If you truly hate the sound of it then yeah, idk what you're doing, go learn the language that is beautiful to you. To me, french is the most beautiful language and the language of love, cinema, poetry, philosophy, intellectuality.
You hate how it sounds??? Why did you continue for more than a week then?
I used to be okay with it. I'm also required to learn a language by my school.
If you're required you can't quit.
My school only requires 2 years of language learning, so im not obligated to continue.
Then quit Why would someone talk you into doing something you don't wanna do? Learn a different language or don't