Self-Studying a Foreign Language?

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

<p>Does anybody have any experience with this? Say I give myself one year to attempt by means of textbooks and accompanying audio CDs to teach myself French with only little proficiency in the language beforehand (I'm at the end of my junior year - I took French the last two years but not this year, and will take it again next year). Do you think that it's possible that I can develop a mastery of the language in such a period of time with extensive self-study (we're talking hours a day at least)?</p>

<p>I'd like to be able to have a 5 on AP French Language because I neglected the opportunity to take four years, as testimony toward my proficiency in a foreign language to look good on my college applications.</p>

2

<p>Ambitious! Honestly, IMO languages are probably one of the hardest to "self-study" without being a native speaker. Really it comes down to your self drive I suppose, if you are truly willing to put in the time. I would also suggest trying to track down a tutor, at the least to have conversations with in the language and mark practice essays (always tons of little mistakes!).</p>

3

<p>I disagree. I think it's possible for you to self-study if you work hard enough at it. AP French Language is about being able to read and knowing the grammar well.</p>

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<p>My son did something similar with German. However, he has worked one on one with a private teacher once a week for several years, since his school did not offer German. He is taking the AP German test in a couple of weeks, so we'll see how it goes. He is very self-driven, and has done a lot more work on his own than what he could do in a once a week class.</p>

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<p>@Quesce - didn't say that he couldn't do that, simply that it would be a lot of work. Also the French Language exam is %50 oral, granted 1/2 of that is reading comprehension, but still</p>

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<p>^25% oral, not 50. 25% RC, 25% listening comprehension + dialogues, 5% mots + verbes, 20% essay. May vary a bit, not sure, but oral is definitely not 50%.</p>

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<p>My mistake - wasn't clear/said reading instead of listening
Almost the one week anniversary of that damn exam</p>

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<p>would be extremely difficult, and if you need a 5, probably not worth your time. Could you enroll in a french 3/4 class this summer to catch up, and then take the AP course at your school in the fall?</p>

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<p>APFL was my easiest AP ever, and I am not a native speaker.</p>