Bonjour mes amis,
It has been a month since I've last posted. As far as studying French goes my efforts have severely decreased. The only thing that I have consistently worked at is Duolingo. I'm attempting to finish the tree for a second time and see how close I can get to level 25.
I also came across a
forum for present, former, and wannabe legionnaires. As in
La Légion Étrangère. My interest lies in the fact that the Legion will take in about 1000 recruits each year, the majority of whom don't speak French. They have about eight weeks to teach them enough French to function as a soldier in the French Army. The only other organizations that I can think of that need to teach French in very short while are the Foreign Service Institute, the Defense Language Institute, and the Mormon Church. The Legion is a unit of the French Army. Here is the post where I asked about
language learning in the Legion.
Now, the majority of posts I read from those inquiring to join the Legion concern physical fitness tests. Very few ask about learning French. The legion's recruitment web site says that the recruit does not need to speak French, and they will teach you. The replies by former legionnaires, and the videos I've seen on YouTube all say that the more French you know when you go in the easier you will adapt. And the more that you learn while in the Legion the quicker you will get promoted and get better jobs. This is my "
short list" of resources for aspiring legionnaires.
So, besides sitting around daydreaming about the Legion, I picked up a copy of French Demystified, 3rd edition. Also, I signed up for a subscription to Bien-Dire, and a subscription to News In Slow French. I find that I need to refresh beginner stuff because I keep forgetting it. My brain feels like a sieve.
I wish Peter Mollenburg all the best with his C1 thread. I hope that following it will light a fire under me.
Bon courage mes amis,
Tom
P.S. In case anyone thinks I'm going to join the Legion, rest assured that I am not. I'm sixty-seven years old, and the world would have to be in pretty bad shape to take me into the military.