A Beginner's Guide to Learning French: Part 10
Attending Gatherings Held in French
It could be difficult depending on where you live, but at least if you live in a big city like Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya or Paris, you should be able to find some kind of regular French-Japanese gatherings. At first, it might be difficult to hear of any, but you could try contacting the French communities on Mixi or Facebook or ask someone you know from French classes. Direct contact with actual French people is fantastic for your French.
Language Exchange: doing language swaps
If you get to know a French person, take your courage in both hands and suggest a language swap. You teach them Japanese and they teach you French. It's the best way to keep up your motivation to learn French.
Chat
When you become friends with someone on Facebook, you can propose a chat. It might be painful, but boldly give it a go. Chats can be agonizingly confronting. You have to reply fast, and write something. At first, you'll be breaking into a cold sweat as you chat dictionary in one hand. And then afterwards you'll be so exhausted, you won't be able to move. But the pain will be worth it. Your ability to write and read will improve instantaneously.
