Learn French your way with a TakeLessons expert

French is a beautiful language. From the way it is structured to the lilting sounds that make up each word, there is a lot you have to learn when you start your French lessons in Orlando. However, it is going to take more than just time with your teacher or homework to become fluent. You need to go out and get some real experience with the language - through writing, listening, and speaking. Fortunately, Orlando has a number of options to help you develop your language skills!

1. Enjoy French Cuisine and Conversation There are several great restaurants where you can really test out what you have learned in your French lessons in Orlando. These restaurants offer real French cuisine, and you can tell because their owners speak French! Don’t let feeling self-conscious keep you from attempting a conversation. Most people appreciate hearing their native tongue, even if it is only the basics.

Le Café De Paris is one of the highest-rated cafés in town. The excellent food and service extends beyond the unbelievably delicious quiches and croissants. For under $10, you can get an authentic French meal and the chance to practice speaking with people who are fluent in the language.

Le Gourmet Break is another highly-praised restaurant that offers traditional French cuisine. Sit down and order some savory crepes and a traditional French breakfast. The place does some really quick business, but if you can catch the restaurant in one of its calmer periods, you can have a discussion with the owners in French.

Benjamin French Bakery & Café makes some of France’s most famous foods – pastries and breads. Of course, you can get a full meal, as well. If you’re feeling up to it, you can even place your order in French!

2. French Language Club of Central Florida The French Language Club of Central Florida is a private meetup group that gets together once a week with the expressed objective of giving all members a chance to practice Level One French. Because this means participants are still in the early phases of learning the language, the founder does switch between French and English to ensure everyone understands the discussion. It costs $7.50 to join, and the group meets up in different cafés and restaurants around central Florida. You will need to plan accordingly. http://www.meetup.com/frenchorlando/

3. Orlando Pen Pals If you aren’t comfortable meeting up with a group, you can get your own pen pal and start working on your language without the pressure of speaking. This is a great way to start practicing the structure and difficult spelling you learn in your French lessons in Orlando. When you are first getting started, you may find you are too self-conscious to open your mouth in front of strangers. A pen pal takes out the complications of sounds and forming the words and lets you focus on getting the basics down first. http://www.mylanguageexchange.com/Pen-pals/city/Orlando__United_States.asp

There are a lot of ways to supplement your French lessons in Orlando, especially for beginners. By spending time outside of your lessons developing your skills, you will progress much more quickly. Whether you want to focus on the structure of French sentences or dive right into conversation, you can take the approach with which you are most comfortable.