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This is a message from a (very!) satisfied Rocket French customer.
My dilemma revealed itself in early January of 2006, as the date was set for early that following July, when our campus would welcome 300 conventioneers, among whom would be about 20 from Quebec, Canada, alumni of our course work who speak primarily in French. Over a number of years, these Quebecois had taken their courses in French from our institute in satellite classes, away from the main campus here in Texas, but this year we were honoring the pioneers among them who had kept French-speaking student numbers strong and growing, over the years.
I had studied in a one-year course for foreign students years ago. With no previous studies in French, I went in 1959-60 as a free student, with no affiliations, to the University of Bordeaux, Faculty of Letters, and had success from this immersion style of learning French. But, my level of fluency had disappeared over the years. Knowing that I could revive some of my comfort in speaking French, I went online and subscribed to Rocket French that arrived faithfully each week from January 20th through June 2nd of this year and I had hopes that that would give me ample time to get comfortable with that beautiful language once again.
My initial plan was to awaken one-hour early each morning to study the given lessons; I started off strong, but found that I only worked with the lessons an average of two times a week. Yet, that proved to be enough to get my tongue back into the groove of speaking French. Surprisingly, the Rocket French lessons validated that I remembered most of the vocabulary. The biggest help to me was in listening and speaking, which became easier as my confidence returned with each passing week. |
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By the end of the lessons, I was ready for the convention! To my amazement, I worked overtime translating for our staff at the times they made various presentations to our very special French-Canadian guests; during informal times outside of structured hours when I could visit and chat with all of these delightful folks; and during social times when I found every excuse to be with them.
At the end of our six convention days together, three of the group stayed on for an intensive six health and wellness retreat, where three to four times each day I would join them for the table discussion segments built in to their learning time. I actually lost my voice due to speaking so much and so often, but the end result was that the total experience for the French-speakers and certainly for me, was enhanced by the language we shared.
I would not have had the success that I did were it not for having taken the course work offered by Rocket French! My writing and speaking skills were renewed and polished, and reading and writing now comes more easily to me, too.
It was a real advantage to me, now at the age of 67, to have had a previous foundation in the French language, but without the thorough review I experienced with the Rocket French lessons, I might never have let on that I knew French, at all.
I've archived all of the lessons to review at any time, certainly before heading to Quebec at the invitation of these enthusiastic students of all ages! And, if I plan things right, I may just take a return trip to France one day, with a special visit to relive my own early student days in Bordeaux. Thanks to Rocket French, I can do it all!
Patricia Holloway
Texas, U.S.A. |