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20 Feb 2008
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Up in the hills of Norfolk
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[quote=backofbeyond;175652]
Quote:
Originally Posted by mattcbf600
One of the things that struck me when I went to Morocco was how bad my French was, when I came back I set about learning to speak correctly so that I could at least make myself understood when buying food etc....
I had exactly the same experience four or five years ago and set about improving my French (or trying to).
There are evening classes at various levels in my area but they are horrendously expensive (£200 per term for my wife and I to go) ..........
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I've just signed up for French lessons in la belle France and it's 100€ (£70 ish) a term which is 10 X 2 hour lessons. So it's a bit cheaper here.
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20 Feb 2008
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21 Feb 2008
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Yay!!
Matt!
I've been FURIOUSLY, studying in the past 6 months trying to improve my French in prep for our trip next year... (Me and Gigi agreed that she will worry about GPS and I'll learn the LANGUAGE!)
I've done the BBC courses (got it tutored at a local evening college) and its good for basic knowledge...to get you started. I've got loads of other resources too -- will dig them out for you.
HOWEVER --- the problem is, its really not good enough to have 'basic French' because... its just even MORE frustrating....
The key is in PRACTISING it, SPEAKING it with others...
Maybe we can practice on each other?? Lets start a French thread in the Bar!!!
__________________
Some great quote about hard core travel that nobody has said yet.[/URL]
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21 Feb 2008
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Location: LONDONISTAN, England
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Quote:
Originally Posted by impasto
Maybe we can practice on each other?? Lets start a French thread in the Bar!!!
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Sounds good, will we have to use 'French Letters'??
__________________
'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.
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21 Feb 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dave ede
Sounds good, will we have to use 'French Letters'?? 
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ROFL. I'm not allowed to incite or gloat. So I can't answer appropriately.
__________________
Some great quote about hard core travel that nobody has said yet.[/URL]
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23 Feb 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by impasto
Matt!
I've been FURIOUSLY, studying in the past 6 months trying to improve my French in prep for our trip next year... (Me and Gigi agreed that she will worry about GPS and I'll learn the LANGUAGE!)
I've done the BBC courses (got it tutored at a local evening college) and its good for basic knowledge...to get you started. I've got loads of other resources too -- will dig them out for you.
HOWEVER --- the problem is, its really not good enough to have 'basic French' because... its just even MORE frustrating....
The key is in PRACTISING it, SPEAKING it with others...
Maybe we can practice on each other?? Lets start a French thread in the Bar!!!
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Il sera un peu difficile a parler avec les autres utilisant un texte, non?
Mais tu peu corriger ma grammaire a commencer. Merci, a "Gigi" et toi!
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28 Feb 2008
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Location: NYer living in Finland and traveling through Europe
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Here's a great way to learn enough to get by in most countries. Won't get you fluent, but will help with the day to day travel stuff.
Learn the Lingo - Travellers Language Guides
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28 Feb 2008
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Location: Staffordshire. uk
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I have to admit that I'm useless when it comes to languages. Last year was my first trip to the darkside (France). Previously I've been to Scandinavia where I've only needed to speak English. I tried some free CD's I'd got from the "Sundays" and found them really boring. I don't need to know how to get a train or a hotel. They try to do a story you can follow but it seems quite irrelevant to me so it wasn't much help. In the end I just went and said sod it I'll manage. I had a phrase book and had to learn the bits I needed day to day. I quickly learned that it helped immensly if I said it in a French accent and not my native Midlands! Everyone I met was brilliant and very helpful, contrary to my pre-conceptions. I stopped on a farm campsite near Gap and the owners spoke no English and I spoke no French. After two days they knew some English and I knew some French. It was a great experience and it set the tone for the whole 3 weeks. What a wonderful country. I hope my experience in Spain and Portugal this year are as good. I don't speak a word of either!
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29 Feb 2008
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The Gym
I spend 3-4 hours week in the gym or running on country roads (in a desperate attempt to allow me to keep up the pie ratio). I find that listening to Russian mp3 tuition then is great. It takes my mind off the pain of exercise, and also, I tend to think of this is using my valuable time twice!
Also, I like the 'stress' aspect of learning Russian whilst ou of breath and trying not to fall of a treadmill. I think I may be kinky
In about a year I feel I've made great progress. And bear in mind this is coming from a complete novice when it comes to languages.
Might not suit alsorts, but it's probably worth considering where you have some dead time (driving, exercising, hovering etc etc), and utilising that. Just a thought.
Oh, perhaps a word of warning. I had to give up listenig to it when I was driving
Jenny and Ollie's Big Trip
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29 Feb 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyingdoctor
I have to admit that I'm useless when it comes to languages. Last year was my first trip to the darkside (France). Previously I've been to Scandinavia where I've only needed to speak English. I tried some free CD's I'd got from the "Sundays" and found them really boring. I don't need to know how to get a train or a hotel. They try to do a story you can follow but it seems quite irrelevant to me so it wasn't much help. In the end I just went and said sod it I'll manage. I had a phrase book and had to learn the bits I needed day to day. I quickly learned that it helped immensly if I said it in a French accent and not my native Midlands! Everyone I met was brilliant and very helpful, contrary to my pre-conceptions. I stopped on a farm campsite near Gap and the owners spoke no English and I spoke no French. After two days they knew some English and I knew some French. It was a great experience and it set the tone for the whole 3 weeks. What a wonderful country. I hope my experience in Spain and Portugal this year are as good. I don't speak a word of either!
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Yes lots of English people are hostile to the French, who are a perfectly nice bunch of people - as any nationality is. So I'm glad your "darkside " joke changed to finding the French as nice as anyone else. A result for openness! The English seem to be the only nation with many people who seem to automatically dislike others, ie, French, Germans, Spanish etc. It's embarrassing to hear this all the time, including endless little anti foreigner jokes on TV.
Well done doctor, in putting aside your "preconceptions".
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
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What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
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"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
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Lots more comments here!

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New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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