People share their experiences learning French in Easy French
During my solo trip to Estonia in October 2023, although most locals spoke excellent English, I had trouble understanding Estonian and Russian. This barrier, combined with my previous unsuccessful attempt to learn French three years ago, highlighted the importance of immersing myself in beginner-friendly input. Motivated by these experiences, I began learning basic French phrases and progressively advanced to more challenging material. Learning French revealed similarities akin to learning Python. Let me show you want I mean.
Language Essentials: Knowing the Basics
When you learn a new language like French and Python, you start by learning the basics.
The hosts of Easy French are having an everyday conversation in slow French
In French, you start by learning the sounds and alphabet. After that, you progress to learning words, which you can use to create sentences.
Literals in Python
Similarly, in Python, you start with the fundamentals like literals, which are a data type that can hold any type of value, such as numbers and strings.
Expressions in Python
Then, you learn expressions, which are pieces of code used to produce a result. Expressions bring everything together to create programs.
An expression in programming is a combination of values, variables, and operators that produces a result when evaluated.
Both journeys involve starting with the basics and gradually building on that foundation.
Navigating Language Structure: A Guide to Syntax
Once you know the fundamentals of a language, you have to learn how these pieces fit together, also known as syntax. Syntax allows you to assemble these building blocks into sentences or statements.
In French, one syntax rule is that the adjective generally comes before the noun. Not only that, the adjective has to agree with the number (singular or plural) and the gendered article (masculine or feminine). If you want to say a black coat in French, you’d say, “un manteau noir”– putting the gendered article first, the noun second and the color last. Also, French has exceptions with putting adjectives before nouns.
Similarly, in Python, you must follow syntax rules when programming. In Python, when you finish an if statement with a colon, the following statements on the same block are indented.
Let’s look at this Python code.
Python If Statement
Here, in Python, the colon after the if statement and the way the code is indented are crucial.
To ensure your sentences are grammatically correct in French and that the computer can understand your code, it’s essential to follow both French grammar rules and Python’s syntax rules.
Build Your Vocabulary
Building vocabulary in French and Python, involves learning a wide range of terms relevant to these languages.
In French, vocabulary consists of:
In Python, vocabulary includes:
In short, building a strong vocabulary ensures clear communication with a language and efficient coding in Python.
Fluency Takes Time
When first learning French or Python, it’s common to feel frustrated when struggling to remember concepts. Fluency requires time and patience in any language. You develop fluency over time with consistent practice, allowing you to confidently use the language in conversation or coding.
Conclusion
Becoming fluent in a language, whether it’s Python or French, requires practice and patience. By consistently practicing, you’ll gradually achieve proficiency in any language, unlocking new opportunities for growth.
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