Language books/Podcasts/DVDS French for Tween and teen?

I'm using Rosetta Stone. It's incredible; I've used two other programs which are not so. It is expensive though, but I think it is worth it. I have a friend, a French teacher (for 30 years), who says that it is the next best thing to being immersed in a classroom in France.

Check your local library for CD's that can be downloaded onto your digital music device. I get the series where the title is something like "Learn French on the Plane ride". It is about an hour long, comes with a booklet that I photo copy, so I can read along as I learn. It gives you the basic travel pleasantries one should know. The thing about the Rosetta stone is that I do not think it is geared toward travelers. It is geared for those trying to digest another language with grammar education. When in France, I am sure it is not necessary to know that le livre rouge est sur la table bleue (the red book is on the blue table) or le jeune garçon lit un livre (the young boy reads a book) when you are at a small store in countryside France trying to buy a pastry that has no price on it and the store keeper is not speaking English. To me, that is Rosetta Stone.

Thanks I will take a look at both.

Check out Pierre Capretz: French In Action. It has audio and video (expensive, but all of the episodes are free to stream on their website) I'm a French teacher, and this method is A++++ http://www.learner.org/resources/series83.html

I second the recommendation for French in Action. The stoy is based on the family life of a young woman ( or maybe late teen) in Paris. It would be fun and interesting for kids the age of yours.

Great sounds like a plan. We will check it out. Appreciate all the helpful info.

Hi LA! Wonderful for you to consider having your children learn some travelers French! You might also consider finding a middle school or high school teacher to provide 6 or so French lessons. I did this for my 9 and 12 year. She was fabulous. Created a menu of my children's favorite items and the kids exchanged positions as the waiter and customer. This teacher had taken a few groups of kids to France on tours so knew what they needed to know. Key phrases like; How much?, Where is the toilet? How to pronounce their hotel name, a mini lesson on the Metro in Paris. etc. Another consideration: Will your children actually listen to the CD or tape? Or practice, without someone checking on them? Mine would not. At least the school setting/teacher situation is familiar to them and they are likely to work harder. Let us know what you decide on and what worked with your children. Bobbie

I used to teach fifth grade and would read a book called The Avion my Uncle Flew. It's a pretty good story about a boy who visits his uncle in France after WW II. As you read, French phrases and words are introduced and then used throughout the rest of the book. The last three pages are in French, based on words and phrases that the reader has learned. It is not a language teacher, but I think kids and adults can get a look at how the more routine phrases and words are used.
In my non school life, I used a series by Michell Thomas, who teaches French to English speakers...got it at a bookstore for under $40. Had some basic info and was easy to use.

My #1 recommendation is to get a real French teacher to help you. Because if you try and learn on your own, you are likely to speak French in a way that no Frenchperson can understand. (And for this reason I highly recommend against the Michael Thomas CDs. I loved them, but he is not a native French speaker. They're great for building false confidence as I sadly learned.) If you don't want to pay anything, check out some of the free open courseware that universities have put out. Carnegie Mellon's online learning initiative has French I available. If you want something else, check out Fluenz French before buying Rosetta Stone. I think it's much more geared towards travelers and might fit your needs better.

Love, Love, love the idea of a real French teacher. I honestly would not have thought of that. With summer coming up very soon I am going to see about emailing some of the French teachers at my son's middle school. He is not currently taking French but I am going to give it a go. Thank you for the idea.

language . We took the advice of Bobbie and Dina and contacted the French teacher at our son's middle school, Who we did not know since he was not taking French. The kids had their second lesson today. It is not inexpensive but she is the real deal and has borrowed text books for the kids to use this summer from the school. Thank you so much for the advice I never would have thought of contacting them.

LA, Using a "live" French Teacher is absolutely the best option, as he/she can provide immediate feedback and correction on grammar and pronunciation. However, that option can be costly. I've been using Pimsleur lessons for Italian and find that that method works best for me. Unfortunately, in this area there are no Italian Teachers available. I looked at Rosetta Stone, but it appears that most of their lessons have to be done in front of a computer, and I'd prefer something that allows a bit more "freedom". They're also quite expensive. Regardless of which method you choose, you won't be fluent by the time you arrive in France but if you're comfortable with the usual greetings and so on, you'll be able to get by. Good luck!