How to learn french?

[Le Baron]

Well, given that the OP is in France according to the first post,

and he is yet another one-hit-wonder

Might have already learned by now. It has been over a month! Probably already at C1.

[Tumlare]

I'm curious about the advice to sign up for an in-person course for someone hoping to learn on a short timeline. I guess it depends on the quality of the course/teacher and the motivation of your fellow students. My only experience with language courses was through middle school/high school, which taught me some, but seemed pretty slow since most people weren't fully engaged in the material. (By slow, I mean after 4-5 years, I was probably A1/A2). I might have the opportunity to take free or cheap(er) courses through work, but I feel like I might be able to make faster progress and use my time more efficiently through self-teaching. By which I mean, why sit through a 3 hour lecture twice a week when I could possibly learn faster and more fruitfully by going through a textbook on my own for 40 minutes a day? Does anyone have an opinions of one or both?

The right language class can make a world of difference. I had a fantastic experience taking intensive, immersion-based Swedish classes which were nothing at all like the slow, boring language classes that I did in middle school/high school in the US. I can say with certainty that I wouldn't have progressed as quickly with self study alone; the class was conducted at such a fast pace I really had to push myself to keep up with the exercises and readings. The classes also dedicated a lot of time to speaking in small groups which I found to be hugely beneficial. And finally, they encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone with exercises/assignments I wouldn't do if left to my own devices (e.g. writing assignments, which had the additional benefit of being corrected by the teacher).

That being said, finding the right course is important. And if you don't study outside of class time, your progress will be slow.

[tastyonions]

Well, given that the OP is in France according to the first post,

and he is yet another one-hit-wonder

Might have already learned by now. It has been over a month! Probably already at C1.

Now just needs to do another 11 languages within the next year.