jmar257 wrote:PeterMollenburg wrote:I have used FIA on and off, but never completed it. I generally advocate for using the entire FIA course with all of its components as that's how it was designed for the most comprehensive learning purposes. It's a bit like iguanamon's multi-track learning approach in that all components weigh in like a kind of synergy and act together to enhance one's learning. However, given what you describe, I'd recommend watching the show for the purpose you describe. I think it would work quite well for you.
Thanks Peter. When I did some research on FIA to refresh my memory I saw a lot of people saying it was similar to FSI (better? the reviews were glowing on HTLAL) but I'm going through that now so I don't want to dive into another course.....
While other people may see similarities. I don't see that much in common between these two courses. I have completed about a quarter of the FSI French Basic course as well. To me, FSI is dry drills, and not much more. Mind you dry drills can be extremely useful, so although dry, yes, if you can tolerate them, they can be very good for training one's language use.
FIA has some drills, granted, but video, audio of various kinds, grammar explanations in detail, free writing. Well I can't think of all the activities, but to me, very different. I found FIA (as well as Destinos for Spanish) the most comprehensive beginner courses out there. And by comprehensive I mean not only drawing on many components - video, audio, written exercises, grammar etc, but also a lot of all that. Were I to choose one series of courses in French, I'd use all the editions and levels of Assimil, simply because it's what I enjoy, but FIA is a sentimental favourite of mine. In Spanish, I'd simply go straight for Destinos, I think it even trumps FIA to a certain extent. I think it's all the conjugation tables etc that can be a little dry in FIA, but they have their place. As iguanamon has often said though the DLI (and I think it's safe to include FSI in this) do the drilling very well, simply as there's lots of it. Assimil doesn't, hence whey I prefer to have several editions/levels and do them several times if possible or if I can stomach it. FIA has this flaw as well at times I felt (not quite enough drills at times.
While Carmody may be right to a certain extent, unfortunately I'm not that great of a critic on the more advanced French courses. I hope that changes some day (after having my way through a few - not every one of them!)
jmar257 wrote:Appreciate the recommendations!
You're welcome!