Why Learn French & Audio Pronunciation and Not Just Books ?

Author: Camille Chevalier-Karfis

Why learn French with audio and not just books? Because the French spoken everyday in France today is different from the French you learned in school.

After spending months learning French from the usual books you finally travel to France, and there… bad surprise!

The French people you are talking to can’t understand you. Your French sentences are correct, your French pronunciation seems right… what’s happening?

1 – The Difference Between Spoken French and Written French

The problem with learning French from books is that spoken French – French everybody uses everyday – is very different from the “academic French” you’ll find in books.

Not only does the pronunciation change but the liaisons are different, the glidings are much more present and some of the French pronouns or articles seem to disappear altogether

Your French language skills could be book perfect, you will have a hard time on the street, talking to perfectly “normal” French people.

Watch out: when I say “the street”, I’m not talking about slang French, or “hood” French… Just the modern French language everybody uses nowadays – well, maybe not 70 years old politicians on TV, but all the rest of us in everyday situations.

Of course, if your goal in learning French is just to read and analyse French Literature or pass written tests, then learning French from books will be sufficient.

Most adults, however, learn French to be able to vacation in Francophone countries and be able to interact with people. In this case, you need to learn today’s French and, especially, hear “real” spoken French pronunciation.

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2 – The Benefits of Learning Today’s French Through Audio

A perfect example of the difference between spoken French today and in books is the phrase: “Il n’y a pas de quoi”.

The average French person will pronounce it: “ya pad koa”. The seven syllables you learned on paper become four when spoken! No wonder you start doubting your French language skills…

This is why you need to hear, not just reading, everything you are studying is key to bring your French pronunciation and listening skills up to par with native “street” French.

Furthermore, listening to French audio lessons can be done anywhere, in your car, on the treadmill, while gardening…

3 – Finding the Right Audio Tool

There is a lot of audio material out there, and it is important you spend time selecting the one that is right for you.

This is particularly important if you are a French language beginner or intermediate since the audio material you work with should be challenging, yet reachable and give you a sense of accomplishment.

It is very important as you are building your knowledge in the language that you also build your self confidence in it. I wrote a whole article about finding out your French level and right audiobook to study, I suggest you read it.

I am of course bias to my own material that I designed specifically for that purpose. Check out my reachable French audio books and easy French novels.

4 – In Conclusion

Learning French can be very rewarding and a great skill in your arsenal but you have to make sure that the French you learn can be used on your next trip to Paris, otherwise ,you will get discouraged very quickly with your French language endeavors.

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Author: Camille Chevalier-Karfis

Camille Chevalier-Karfis

Born and raised in Paris, I have been teaching today's French to adults for 25+ years in the US and France. Based on my students' goals and needs, I've created unique downloadable French audiobooks focussing on French like it's spoken today, for all levels. Come to Paimpol and enjoy an exclusive French immersion homestay with me in Brittany.

More Articles from Camille Chevalier-Karfis

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