More than 20 years ago, I took Beginning French after returning from France. That's backwards from what most people do of course. Most people try to learn a little French before they go. But I went to France to take graduate business/law classes studying the formation of the E.U. for my M.B.A. degree. In college, my foreign language requirements had been fulfilled with German classes. That was 10 years before I ever thought I'd go to France. I was totally unprepared.
That first class met once per week. Progression was slow and therefore difficult. While in France I had learned faster by ear than in that class, as good as it was. Through my 4 or 5 trips through France following my first adventure there, I learned that immersion is the best way to learn another language. I was still interested in French but didn't have the time to learn much very fast. Thus, after my career and family priorities had been largely accomplished, I began my Intensive Beginning French class at the Alliance Française in Minneapolis, MN on June 21, 2010.
The Alliance Française has a long history, even in Minnesota. The organization, which originated in Paris in 1883, was formed to promote French culture and language. It quickly branched out around the world. Minnesota’s A.F. organization was formed in1902 by a University of Minnesota professor. It has now grown to over 900 members.
The Alliance in Minneapolis is tucked into a hundred year old brick building on North First Street between other small businesses. The building’s old-fashioned, wood-paneled street front is appropriately painted French Blue. French flags cheerfully fly outside it. No one going by can mistake the organization’s mission. And, how lucky am I that I live only a block and a half away from the Alliance? That made the decision to enroll even easier.
In 2010, the first class I signed up for that summer was 10 weeks long, 4 days per week, 3 hours per day. Intensive Beginning French was definitely the appropriate title for the class.
That first June day of class was the "shortest" 3-hour class I’ve ever experienced. We were two students and one instructor. Immediately, we were speaking French in class. We worked on pronunciation, basic grammar, speaking, and listening in French. We learned the names of the French alphabet. Jamal was our teacher as well as our leader. He gave us a bit of homework but told us that the next day there would be more... a lot more. I was excited to find out how much I could learn in 10 weeks.
We are a country of immigrants. I have met many people who came here in mid-life or later who have adapted to English beautifully. In France, I've met a lot of people who have done the same in French. I have to believe motivation is the key ingredient in learning. I am very motivated.
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