You CAN learn Quebec French!
Like any language, learning Quebec French can be an enjoyable challenge.
Even if you don’t live in Quebec, you can still learn to speak and understand Quebec French with just an Internet connection.
Let’s look at some ways you can begin your discovery of Quebec French. Remember, the most important ingredient is you. Work on improving your French every day and you’ll succeed.
Talk to native speakers
Talking to native speakers is always the best way to learn any language. Not only will you learn the language itself, but you’ll also develop a high degree of confidence in the language through regular exposure to native speakers.
Whenever you have the opportunity to speak in French with the Québécois, just go for it. Don’t let your fear of making mistakes stop you. Remember why you chose to learn French in the first place — to communicate in French!
Even if you haven’t made any Québécois friends yet, you can still start speaking in French with native speakers. Use your French when you shop. Make a customer service call in French. Strike up a conversation with someone in the street. The Québécois are friendly — even if your French isn’t perfect, don’t be afraid to approach French speakers.
Once you get into the habit of approaching French speakers, speaking will become a lot easier for you. Learning to break the ice in another language can be a challenge at first, but the more you do it, the better you become. So, don’t just stand there — say something!
Watch television shows
Consider aiming for at least one hour a day of listening to spoken French. Listen to even more if you can manage it.
If you’re now living in Quebec, turn on your television and start watching shows that feature people speaking in everyday language. You’ll hear everyday language used in comedies and dramas, for example.
If you live in Quebec or anywhere else in Canada, watch the programming on tou.tv. Many of the shows available here are excellent for exposing yourself to the way French is spoken in regular, everyday settings.
Excellent television shows include: La Galère, 30 vies, Les Parent, 19-2. The language used in these series resembles what you’ll hear in everyday language situations in Quebec. Not only will you improve your listening and speaking skills, but you’ll have fun doing it — television shows are more interesting than French manuals!
If you live outside of Canada, buy a few different seasons of television shows on DVD (see below). You can then watch the episodes as many times as you like. If you struggle with understanding spoken French, buy DVDs that include subtitles.
Listen to the radio
If you’re living in Quebec, just turn on the radio and start listening in French. Obviously, the point isn’t to listen to music (you can do that later!), so pick something that features a lot of speaking in French.
An excellent choice is 98,5 fm, from Montreal. On weekdays, this is an all-talk radio station. Even if you don’t live in Montreal, click on that link and start listening. It’s available online.
Again, aim to listen to spoken French for at least one hour a day, or even more if you can manage it. The more you listen, the better you’ll become at understanding spoken French. Not only that, you’ll greatly improve your speaking skills because you’ll begin to model yourself on real speakers.
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