I’m taking French for extra credits at uni and this is my second semester. But I can’t for the life of me understand more than one or two words (which are normally those that sound like english or very basic vocabulary) when they speak. It’s like my brains rejecting the sounds, as if I’ve never heard them before. It makes me so sad that they dont pronounce last consonants in all words which makes everything sounds so similar!!! and I’m like ehhhhh???
So my question is, will I ever be able to understand French for example in movies/news/conversations, or it’s always gonna be few words here and there. I’ve found speaking and writing far easier than listening. Words literally fly off the top of my head.
Thanks micky! :) I've downloaded the app I hope it helps with the listening. Knowing words is important but its hard to pick them when they are spoken in sentences.
The best way for you to improve your comprehension is to listen to French programs/radio/movies/etc outside of class. The more you expose yourself to (listening to) French, the better.
Thanks Afsoon! I'm trying to watch the only French channel we get and luckily there are subs in French so you can read as you hear the pronounciation. I watch Turkish dramas and have picked up quite a bit of vocab without even trying. With French the problem is many words sound so similar! Or maybe its just me not getting them ufff
I took french all the way through university and you will pick it up gradually. I know it does seem frustrating right now, but like with any language the more you are exposed to it, the more common it will become for you to pick up words/phrases and understand the speech.
We actually had a project for our finals where we had to read a very easy book in french and talk about it (in french) to the rest of the class. It took me hours sometimes to translate phrases and words but it became easier. There's also french TV channels you can tune into where they have kids programs and speak slower. And there's a lot of french online tools as well and even YouTube videos up.
I hardly learned anything in my first semester, just revised for the exam so listening speaking or writing were all pretty blehh.. but I've found french cartoon where there are telling a story with pictures and subs. They are talking slow and I'm enjoying it too :) I turned on euronews french dub and they go so fast but in dramas I'm able to understand atleast some words.
Do what Afsoon + Amber have mentioned.. I did French from the age of 9/10 up till uni and loved it.. It's my second language and I speak it better than my "mother" tongues..
patience.
Also to if you ever see some thing with subtitle, and it has words you know, listen,
then listen with out looking at subtitle.
In beginning listening is overwhelming.But that don't mean you are not learning.
which makes everything sounds so similar!!! and I’m like ehhhhh???