I've decided to learn French this summer in Quebec. I'm doing this to make make myself more marketable to potential law firms when I apply next year for a job (ex. to be an Attorney General its required I believe). The goal is to be as immeresed in French as possible by the end of the summer. My current level of French is essentially zero (ex. I know the very basics). I lived in Italy for 1 year and spoke very well when I left so I am prepared to undertake learning a new language and what is required. Any advice or good schools any of my fellow Canucks have heard about in Quebec? I'm looking at a few online but first hand advice is always appreciated. Thanks in advance, Jordan ps. sorry for the off-topic nature but I'm assuming this is the best sub-forum to post in!
I cannot comment on any particular courses however please note that the French spoken in Quebec is very different than that spoken in France. Be sure of which French you want to learn before continuing. In Quebec I have a hell of a time with French but in France I am fully conversant; there is a big difference.
I agree with Robert as I speak Parisian french pretty much fluently.....but when in "la belle provence" it's as though I am a foreigner.
Another vote for being careful, France french is quite different from Quebec french. The issue IMO is that if you learn Quebec french and go to pretty much any other french speaking area, you'll sound like a farmer. Kinda odd if you're a lawyer. The accent is different, as well as some vocabulary. I suppose you could compare it with US english and scotland english. Same sort of difference. Best bet? Go to Paris to learn french. Because it's IMHO the proper accent for a lawyer, and because Parisians are jerks (j/k ... kinda ...), they will not say one word in english and you will just have to learn french to get around. In Montreal, most people speak both and will speak english to you if you're having trouble ... If you want to get a headstart, rent some movies in french, with english subtitles. Considering you already know a bit of french, it will help you learn some vocabulary and hear how to speak a bit (with a neutral accent to boot!).
Thanks for the advice so far guys. No offence, but are you guys just being picky? Excuse my ignorance...growing up in Vancouver made me quite removed from our whole "bilingual country". It's unfortunate, but thats another thread at another time! How different is France French...you make it sound like a totally different language? My goal is to be able to communicate....I know I will not sound "French" i.e. accent. Harper and Martin don't sound French but they can communicate and get there point across. I'm planning on doing beginner French the first half of summer and then intermediate immediately after. One possibiltity was in Jonquiere and the other in Chicoutimi. Any comments? From past experience, immersion in the society is the best...I guess the flip side is the exposure to dialect... Thanks again.
When french people (tourists) come here, they do not understand unless you make a particular effort. If a quebeccer talks with another quebeccer, a french guy will most likely not understand what they're all about. To give you an example, something as simple as ordering a drink takes several "uh?" and "could you say that again, please?". Especially considering you'll be in Jonquiere or Chicoutimi, that's hardcore remote quebec accent and vocabulary. Pronunciation may be easier for an english guy, but it ain't gonna cut it in all other french speaking areas. You will get your point across, but it will require quite some effort from both parties. Being picky, perhaps, but if I were to learn a new language, might as well go for it properly...
If you want to speak classic French, move to France. If you want to speak le cors rouge Francais, move to Quebec city. Montreal will give you a hybrid version of both. You will not learn unless you immerse yourself in it. Watch the news, read the paper and speak as much as you can. But really the best way to learn it is in bed...
I remeber being in French class when it was a required course in grade school and Highschool. Went did the whole trip to Belle province..well the French teacher was made a fool many times while trying to show off his skills in the freanch language..After that I got my parents to make up a letter, presented it to the principal..and never took another french class again. French is a wonderful language..but learn how its supposed to be spoken..in France..The Canadian version is a real odd ball mix of different slangs and accents etc...Kinda stupid really..they want to seperate with Canada, but they can't even speak French correctly!!
Well...I just finished my first 5 week French immersion program in Quebec. I was 3 1/2 hours up the St. Lawerence river from Quebec City in a small town called Trois-Pistole. That region is absolutely beautiful, it is comparable to Vancouver in regards to the waterfront views (minus the big-ass mountains). I can't believe how much French I learned...and GOOD French taught at the school (a program run by the University of Western Ontario). I came with none...juste bonjour, je m'appelle Jordan...etc...maintenant je parle Francais bien. So as far as not being able to learn proper French that was a half-truth. The schooling was phenomenal and even some of the professors were from France (where "Good French" is spoken!). Proper accent/pronunciation was stressed constantly and clinics were offered every day to help with that aspect. You got in trouble if you spoke a word of English, and if you are caught 3 times you are kicked out. It wasn't that strict but a few people came close. As far as the local Quebecois...well I have extreme difficulty understanding the natives Trois-Pistoler's. So if I did not have the schooling aspect, I would be speaking a whole different type of French. I'm heading to Jonquiere in a few days for another 5 week program and I hope the schooling is just as good. All in all: ma experience etait tres bien. Je pense que j'etait tres chanceuse pour l'experience. I recomend the program for anyone, its not just university students as there is people from all ages and all professions (including docs, lawyers...etc) and I think most people had a great time. Jordan
Oh...and to add something remotely Ferrari related, on the way back to Ontario I stopped in Montreal and drove the F1 track which was definitely a highlight! J'adore Quebec.
