« Learning to speak French »

Introduction

Trying to brush up my French myself now to help translate a website into it. As it happens, the translation is actually being done by the persons French daughter-in-law, but I still have to type it up and it's nice to know what I am copying.

To be honest I rarely even remember to study, but when I do I listen to the radio over the Internet, to Harry Potter and other DVD's using the French option and, naturally to 'teach yourself French' in a week style tapes from the local library.

I did do French 'O' level at college, which amounts to saying I can embarrass myself and hope Monsieur and Madame speak English. Anyway, here's the start of the links and resources. I will built French up first.

One of the best ways to learn French and indeed most languages isn't on the Internet, it's in your video library!

Most DVD's now are multi-lingual, many offering French as an option. Sit back, watch your favourite movies in French, with or without subtitles. Lazy mans way to education. Works fantastically for under 5's too.

The Simpsons en Francais? Oh la la!

In a similar way, use Google France to get search results.

Follow the questions and responses to Yahoo! Answers on the French site

Search the video clip in French instead of English using YouTube France and the advance options on Google Video to search for clips.

Borrow the French Linguaphone and Hugo CD's from your local library.

I also listen to French radio on the Internet. Loads of channels to choose from.

Well, I'm sure you get the idea. Studying dry academic books and tutorials can be boring, watching and/or listening to them in real usage is infinitely better as you learn - and retain - more due to the immersion nature of the learning experience.

• BBC: Learn French
  Probably all you'll need to get you and your children up and running.
  Cannot recommend it enough!