BECOMING FLUENT IN FRENCH: "How Did He Do It?" (Useful Tips From An American in Paris)

[@michaelday1376]

DUDE. First, thank you for taking the time to make this video. What a gift! There are so many things you said that deeply resonated with me and that I can draw on for inspiration. My story is similar but I was 40 years old when I got that feeling that you got at 11. It's embarrassing but I'll just put the origins of my story out there on KZbin for all to see. My wife made me watch Emily in Paris when it came out last summer. The moment I heard the French actress Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu (who plays Sylvie) speak French in the show I was completely captivated and decided then and there that I wanted to be able to speak like that and that absolutely nothing would get in my way. I decided that I would weave it into my lifestyle instead of signing up for classes or committing to studying a certain number of times per week. Learning French is something I do everyday, whether I feel like it or not. I listen to RTL or FranceInter everyday, whether I understand it or not. I show up to my iTalki sessions, whether I feel like I'm ready or not and I make a million mistakes. I do a Pimsleur lesson every day, even if that means doing it after a long day and after putting two kids to bed. I have become relentless in the pursuit and it has been incredibly humbling. I have found true joy in the process of language learning and no longer care how long it will take me to speak fluently. Thank you for sharing your story with everyone, Alex!

[@alexteachesfrench]

Hi Michael, thank you for this wonderful message! I had been wanting to share my story for a while, and I'm really glad you found it interesting & useful. And hey ~ there are more parts to my "why I fell in love with French" story that I guess you could call embarrassing, haha! When the Rugrats went to Paris, I took notice. There's actually a lot I left out that deserves another video. Your story does remind me a lot of mine. I am cheering you on and I know you will inevitably speak French well. Just look at how determined you are!

[@nongirgle]

Alex… I was touched by your story of how your passion for French fueled a deep dive into the language and culture. It echoes mine in certain ways though at a different life stage. I was raised in Canada in the 60s, and we learned French from the 3rd grade. My father’s side of the family was Québécois. It was a time when French-Canadian heritage was looked down upon. (Fortunately that has changed.) Coupled with the rote methods of teaching and disinterested classmates, I developed a certain distaste for French and in high school, switched to German. Fast forward many years and I had a few experiences in France and elsewhere in Europe where French fluency would have been very helpful. So that became my motivation! I developed a deep love for the language and now I consider myself a relatively advanced speaker. I like the way you package certain expressions and their French equivalents. I see languages and a series of pattern structures, so knowing equivalents that aren’t direct translations is really helpful! One of the tools that has really helped me is having regular language partners. Apps like Tandem and others have made all the difference. That was something that wasn’t available I imagine when your niece was your language buddy! Merci d’avoir partagé tes vídeos et ton histoire ! ❤🌈

[@YourRichLifeMedia]

I am glad that you sent me over here to find this. Thank you. This encouraged me so as I have been studying for 3 years and I feel so much shame about only being around a B1 level depending on the day. A lot of filler words that I forget because i will go a while and not study. But this past summer I stayed in VilleFranche Sur Mer pendent 1 month and went to the Institute of French where is was all french all day. No english allowed and it was so helpful. I will be back this summer as well but I do feel frustrated often because I feel I should be "fluent" by now, whatever that means. This was quite helpful. Thank you so much for sharing and encouraging

[@tariqnazer817]

So inspiring . Thank you

[@kathleenmalabes1409]

I am Rinas Mother. your fathers 1st wife. I like the video. Glad you are good at french.

[@alexteachesfrench]

Thank you :)

[@serenawoman]

Alex you are fantástic person, What a wonderful video?! Totally inspiring and beautiful to me. Thanks a lot for sharing your experience which is amazing! I could feel your love for the French language. I am just starting my French learning but after this video I want to meet you and your family as soon as possible just to say merci, thanks a lot to inspires me today! Greetings from Brazil 🇧🇷 see you soon speaking French :)

[@alexteachesfrench]

Bonjour Elis ! Thank you so so much!!! I am so happy that my story inspires you :) I have always wanted to go to Brazil! Greetings from Paris 🇫🇷✨ I am excited for you and the journey you have just started

[@Debss246]

That was wonderful! Thank you!

[@alexteachesfrench]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!!!

[@kantaponthongsuk8496]

Thank you Alex, your video inspired me to keep going on learning French after 7 years I never practice it. It's all gone completely. I'm now in France to continue my Master's degree (English program quand même) since Sep 2021 and I feel disappointed with myself that I cannot communicate in French at all. However, you encourage me not to give up on this and also your clip on IG is really helpful for me to gain more French words and expressions.

[@alexteachesfrench]

I'm happy my story has helped you. Never give up!!

[@jenniferberensen3048]

Fantastic Alex!!!! I love your story. I hav stickers all over my house and listen to French music and look up the lyrics….. now all I have to do is steal a baby to speak with hahahahahahaaaaa! (Oops did I say that out loud?). Thanks for the inspo and tips. Very much appreciated. 😊

[@alexteachesfrench]

Thank you so much!! Yes, stickers everywhere!! You definitely made me giggle when I saw your baby comment haha. I am so happy you enjoyed it, and I will have to do another story time soon! (because the second I stopped recording this, all these other memories started rushing back, oops...) :)