«I'm so bad at French.»

«Ask Sarah!»

No matter what I do, I'm terrible at French. My teacher thinks I'm just lazy and don't study. But that's not true! I try to memorise the words, but it just doesn't work. My stupid French grade is dragging down my average. And that's a disaster for my job applications. I want to be a carpenter.
Mehmet, 14

Dear Mehmet
Learning a foreign language is no easy task. And many pupils at our schools feel the same way as you do. They either struggle with German, French or English – or with several languages at once. But there is usually a reason for this.    

It is true that every child learns their mother tongue almost automatically from an early age. Without working through school books and without having to memorise words. Many children even learn a second language along the way – for example, if they have moved to Switzerland from another country or if their parents only speak their native language at home. By playing with other children, at nursery and at school, they gradually pick up and use German or Swiss German.

English often more familiar

All of this is an incredibly great achievement, and anyone who experiences it in their childhood deserves a big pat on the back! So it's no wonder that learning a second and third foreign language isn't quite so «easy».

But even young people whose mother tongue is German sometimes have great difficulty with French or English. English usually works better, as we often use English terms in our society. For example, in small talk, on social media or when gaming.

Analysis of your personal motivation in French

1. You haven't had many positive experiences or successes in French so far. Unfortunately, getting one bad mark after another doesn't help you to really knuckle down in future, does it? 
2. Your teacher does not believe in you. He only knows you as a poor French student and has formed his opinion about you. It will not be easy to convince him otherwise. 
3. Your learning strategies so far have hardly been successful. But I'm happy to help you with that (see below).
4. And last but not least: your career aspiration to become a carpenter. I think it's great that you already have such a clear idea of your professional future. As you may already know, you won't be studying French at vocational school in your field. So it's certainly no big deal if you're not brilliant at this subject. And yet you still want to finish school with a satisfactory overall grade. That speaks volumes about you and your sense of responsibility – well done!

5 learning strategies for French or any other foreign language

1. The Seven Dwarfs

On average, people can only remember seven words at a time. Therefore, only learn seven words at a time. Take a longer break, learn the next seven words, and so on.

2. Colour and symbol

Your brain can learn better if you associate words with colours and symbols. Symbols are small images that remind you of the word. For example, for the word «apple» – «la pomme» – you can draw an apple.

Watch your favourite films in French. Since you already know them, you will understand a lot and unconsciously absorb the pronunciation.

Write the French word on the front of a white index card and the German word on the back. Use a coloured pen, for example green. Draw an apple symbol next to the French word, also in green.  

3. Active learning

Moving around while studying gets more oxygen to your brain , which helps you concentrate better. Whether you're walking around, throwing a ball or chewing gum, the main thing is to keep moving.        

4. Index cards in the room

Hang your index cards with the coloured words and symbols around the room. Then walk around and memorise the words. Say them aloud so that the information reaches your brain through your ears. If the apple card is hanging on the door frame, you will remember it during the test.

5. Fun while learning

Watch your favourite series and films in French. Since you already know them, it will be easier for you to understand things. You will also unconsciously absorb the pronunciation and intonation of French.

I recommend that you only make index cards for words that you find difficult to remember. Even if this method seems time-consuming, please give it a try. I am sure that it will help you improve.

We wish you every success in your future French studies!