How I learned French from zero to C1 in 10 months / TEF Exam

In this video I will share my experience with studying French.
I will tell how I learned French from zero to C1 in just 10 months, share some sources and ideas on how to improve the language study process.

[loserscryfair]

1 - duolingo (4 mo.)
2 - grammar work book (30 min/day)
3 - iTalki (spent $162 for 14 lessons, role played exam dialogues, writing corrections)
3.5 - got a second tutor from Canada that she better connected with
4 - French Disney songs (rhyming helped for memory and offers sentence structures)
5 - 4-5 hours per day
6 - looked up synonyms
7 - prefers learning grammar in depth on a subject vs. jumping around
8 - TV shows

[curiousobserver]

One of the ways I am learning vocabulary is to learn words in groups, so much easier to remember. For example, use a dictionary to translate parts of the body; travel words; furniture, or things found in a living room, bedroom, and bathroom.

[seanm]

The real test is whether or not Parisians switch to English when you start talking to them 😂

[anthonyrobertson]

I looked into subtitles and closed captions and this is the general rule. Closed captions are strictly for deaf people and hard of hearing, and the text matches the dialog spoken word for word. Subtitles are more for people who can hear fine and have at least a decent understanding of the language being spoken. What they do is try to reword the dialog so if the person is unfamiliar with the word/phrase(s) in the sentence spoken they can look at the subtitles, and hopefully understand it with different wording. For example maybe the person doesn't know the word that is spoken like "forgo", but would know the word "avoid" used in the subtitles. It irrates me that US dvds refuse to include closed captions and only include subtitles, because when learning another language CC are more helpful when trying to figure out what is being spoken.

[randomlymeander]

C’est super utile pour moi. J’essaie aussi de obtenir le niveau C1 dans un an. Now I’m at month 4 and feel a bit tiring. This is very inspiring for me.

[SarahMBreaux]

I have a 360 day streak using Duolingo for French. I understand reading it. But when I try to watch French TV shows they speak so fast and it sounds nothing like I learned. My french ear is not so good. I started listening to french music more to just get used to it but I feel like I should know more after doing this daily for a year. So frustrating.

[shaidaxiang]

Thank you very much for the sincere sharing of your French learning journey! These days too many people label learning grammar rules as being nerdy. I do agree that mastering grammar is very helpful, especially when constructing difficult sentences at an advanced level. And I love the idea of singing Disney songs in French 💛

[bailagringacovers]

I love your sincerity and authentic personality & approach to language-learning!

[cooley]

Thank you for this vulnerable and truthful video of your journey.

[IAMCHIDERA]

So essentially:
Before 1st exam- 4 months of Duolingo and going through a text book and exam practice sessions with Italki tutors and this took you to an average of B1 level
After 1st exam- you had varied inputs of the language from YouTube videos to Disney French songs so the language can come to you naturally


That’s super impressive to get to an average of B1 level by 4 months

[josiahahiakwo]

Hello, Dear. My name is Josiah from Nigeria. I appreciate the information you shared on you journey to speaking French fluently

[knowledgeispower]

GOAT 🐐, achieved c1 already in 4 months study and test. Honestly, I have become your big fan, the stories u posted in Instagram about ur situation in polluted city of Russia and ur dedication and motivation to fly to Canada. U r a star, honestly very deserving for PR. U should be proud of yourself, I am so inspired by you and studying for French currently. I will definitely buy ur study materials

[Francesparahispanos]

I learned French in 2 years, so it's impressive

[christophespoiden]

Je suis belge francophone de langue maternelle, en tout cas, félicitations pour tous tes efforts et ta passion pour la langue.. Salutations

[brucecowin]

Very helpful. Thank you! And well done. That's impressive progress.

[pjlivingstone]

Your achievement is amazing and I really love your approach to learning and learning materials. I would prefer to learn the same way as you - but I didn’t take the time to rework the materials in a more sensible way! I REALLY appreciate that you took the time to go through your sources and evaluate them. An inspiration 🎉

[languageswithotavio]

Hello, my name is Otávio from Brazil. Thank you very much for sharing this content. Happy new year! Bonne année !. I am a languages lover.

[doyourbestleavetherest]

TCF is better in the sense that not much improvisation needed. A good preparation will get you there.

[Music-xpwg]

I have a challenge to get to B1 in 6 months. this highly motivated me

[its_sarandipity]

NO! You don't sound like a crazy person when you have to re-write the notes just because of additional notes. I too struggle with that, because the layout of my notes has to make sense to me, and has to flow in a way that facilitates my studying. If there is no flow, it's got to go! ... also, thank you very much for the video :)