Rebecca
I'm at a strange stage in my language learning

I'm at a stage with my language learning where if I watch a French movie,  with French subtitles, i understand pretty much everything that is going on, but it's only lasts for a split second. I listen and read at the same time, I understand, but then instantly this understanding disapears. I have enough understanding to follow the main theme of the story, but the details disapear from my mind very quickly, even though for a split second i knew what they were talking about.

 

It is an amazing feeling to have understood so much in a different lanugage but frustrating that i can't retain the information.

 

Does anyone else experience this?

 

Any tips for overcoming it?

Dec 13, 2015 2:41 PM
Comments · 9
2

Exactly the same problem. Same with the radio...moments of clarity and then confusion. So much depends on the language simplicity and the quality of the french being spoken.  i was using News in Slow French and Coffee Break French. I am ready for a tutor face to face and I think that will help. That will be my Xmas present to myself. 

December 13, 2015
2
I have the same problem but I find it better to just let the movie keep rolling (don't stop or back up to read something you missed).  Chances are the same word or phrase will appear again and through this repetition the learning sneaks in the back door.  I have no problem watching a French movie with French subtitles multiple times, after all it's all about repetition in the end.

Bonne chance!
December 13, 2015
1

There's no way around, it's the natural process of learning a language (as a baby, you didn't catch everything, did you?). Don't try to force it. The first movie I ever watched in english was a nightmare. Now, it's just natural.

Keep watching films and you'll realize that you catch more and more details and remember more of them with the time. And one day, your listening will be "fluent".

 

December 15, 2015
1

I feel like this happens even in native languages though too so don't feel so bad about it just keep working on it!!

December 14, 2015
1

I'm not the only one !!!!!

 

I have to same problem as you do that i could only get myself concentrated for a few moment like 10mins or 15mins. I understand so well during that moment. Then the words start to go in one ear and out the other after that 10mins.

 

It really gets me into trouble studying in France and makes me feel exhausted everyday :(

 

 

 

December 13, 2015
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