France is one of the most visited countries in the world.  It is little wonder that so many foreigners want to visit a place that is known for its gorgeous countryside, delicious wines, rich culture and even richer food.  France holds a little something for everyone from the art and metropolitan feeling of Paris to the mountains of the Alps to the rolling fields and Mediterranean climate of Provence.  Some of the most industrious travelers seek to learn French before they travel to this amazing destination.  However, if you really want to become fluent in the language, the best way is to up and go to France and spend some time practicing.

 

If traveling to France and learning French is your goal, you will do yourself a favor if you start small.  Before you book your tickets and start planning the romantic conversations you will be having with your new French lover, look into a DVD French class like Rocket French available online.   These courses will get you started on the basics of pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary.  In addition, most classes offer some cultural education to get you started learning about the difference between life in France and your country of origin.  France and the people living there are very unique so you will want to learn all you can about the culture, as well as the language, before you travel.

 

For those who are serious about learning French, a simple class will not be sufficient.  Anyone who has ever mastered a second language will tell you that you need to be immersed in the language and the culture for a decent amount of time in order to stand a chance at becoming fluent.  The amount of time you will need to devote to your language-learning trip is up to you.  Just like most things in life, what you put into it will be what you get out of it.  However, most people can see marked improvement in their language skills after about 6 weks.

 

All it takes is an online search to find many opportunities to study French abroad in France.  There are all sorts of organizations that will assist you in lining up language courses and accommodations for your time in France.  Keep in mind that if you are devoted enough to put the time, effort and money into a trip like this, you really want to do it right.  Look for a program that will set you up with a home stay with a French family while you take French classes.  That way you will be truly immersed in the culture as you study the language, and everything you learn in class will be immediately applicable to your life as you work to communicate with your host family.  Living abroad with a host family will probably be one of the most uncomfortable yet rewarding experiences of your life.

 

If you decide to utilize the help of a tourism organization to plan your trip and stay in France, consider the other visitors that you may meet who have the same goals.  This will be a great way to make new friends as you study in France, but be careful.  If you end up studying with a group of people who are from your home country, you may easily fall into the trap of spending too much time with familiar friends instead of branching out to experience relationships with French people.  Whether you choose to spend a few weeks or several months studying French in France, you will surely return to your home with a vast reservoir of knowledge that you never would have gained if you had stayed at home.