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 FSI Language Courses Forum : Learning Languages : French
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Jay Gatsby
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Quote Jay Gatsby Replybullet Topic: How thorough?
    Posted: 26 June 2007 at 3:43pm
I'm working my way through the Pimsleur 8-disc basic French series before tackling the FSI French course.  Regardless of whether you started with Pimseleur, how thorough should one be able to respond before moving on to the next unit?

In asking this question, I'm probably hitting 80% or so on the Pimsleur materials.  The first time I listen and repeat, I often have to stop the player to think and then respond.  The second time I stop occasionally if my mind doesn't work as fast as the response pause allows.  The third time I rarely have to stop the player, but I'm still getting a few answers wrong here and there.

It's important to me to learn how to pronounce the French responses at a conversational speed, but I'd like to think that simply comes with actual use, rather than repetitively listening to the same lesson until I get it perfect.
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Douaisien
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Quote Douaisien Replybullet Posted: 29 June 2007 at 4:33pm
Originally posted by Jay Gatsby

Regardless of whether you started with Pimseleur, how thorough should one be able to respond before moving on to the next unit?


I have heard that it is good to repeat a unit atleast 5 times.For me that is too tedious, and mentally I cannot stay focused when I keep replaying a unit.Instead, what I plan on doing is just reviewing the whole course several times.To me it is better than repeating the same unit continuously, especially since FSI is already very dull.
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Jay Gatsby
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Quote Jay Gatsby Replybullet Posted: 05 July 2007 at 9:30am
Thanks for the response.  I haven't started FSI yet, but rather am trying to work with Pimsleur for a bit longer.  My pronunciation is getting better, but I still have to speak slowly and clearly to avoid tripping over my own tongue.  In going through the program, I've noticed that certain speakers enunciate much better than others, and I'm afraid that I'll pick up bad pronunciation habits if I try to emulate their manner of speech.

As for the lessons, I found that going through them 3 times was sufficient at the beginning, but as I've reached the end of the first half of Pimsleur's Level I French, I'm finding myself needing to listen to each lesson at least 4 times before I hit the 80% correct answer level.  The reason for this seems to be the day or so breaks I need to take every week (weekends mainly) because I'm not in my car long enough at a stretch to finish the lesson.  My recollection and pronunciation skills get rusty in that short of time, and I need to engage in a bit of remedial work to bring them back.  Very frustrating.
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alfajuj
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Quote alfajuj Replybullet Posted: 31 October 2007 at 8:06am
 I would say that you should continue with your Pimsleur and dive right into the FSI now. It is very well designed and progressive. I have found that most parts of each tape can be handled quite well even on the first go. But most tapes get harder toward the end. But then going through a second time and you've got it.
Learning French, you should tackle it from multiple angles simultaneously.
Watch French movies. Listen to French music (with lyrics), surf the web in French. Read French books with both languages, like the Little Prince.
You don't need to take a "first finish this then do that" kind of approach. It's more fun and interesting to do many things and your mind won't get bored.
 Bonne chance! 
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