FOR THE FRENCH For those of you visiting this site who are really and truly French and who have difficulty understanding, I'll dedicate this page to free and not-so-free, web based and traditional methods of learning English in France. Of course, you'll have to do a bit of self-assessment and some trial and error to see what's best for you. If you're rather shy, or pressed for time or essentially need English for the phone anyway, try taking phone classes. Both teacher and student are equipped with a textbook so there is a real possibity for structured (grammar/vocabulary) lessons. There's also liberal use of emails and web based articles to provide a springboard for conversation.

TELAB: For those who prefer the phone

An ancedote: When my Jamaican or American friends ask me what I do for a living and I say I teach English to adults, the response is usually something like, "O slow learners, that must be HARD!" They can't imagine that there are normal, educated adults out there in the world, who can't speak English, who need lessons... Who knows maybe I was a little like that before discovering Europe and it's "cultured" population, many of whom...don't speak English

The Gleaner logo

Of course I couldn't call myself a self-respecting Jamaican (and I do) if I omitted to mention the Jamaican press, quite vibrant and democrative it is too. I in fact had a brilliant (if I may say so myself, and I may, this IS MY SITE) journalistic career both when I was on the island and during my subsequent absences. I even wrote briefly for a French magazine, but the capitalist in me sort of didn't encourage my literary self to flourish. Maybe this is an apt time to mention that I have a manuscript pending publication, or more truthful yet, pending a publisher. It's about island living meeting dispora, if there's an interested publisher out there...or the friend of a friend of one...or the friend of a friend of a friend of one...etc let me know. So the Jamaican Press, there's the older and more conservative. The Gleaner. And the younger and more raunchy; The Observer. They both are on the web.

The Jamaica Observer logo

FOR JAMAICANS In my experience, the average well- travelled, university educated French citizen can communicate in English with "some degree" of efficiency. Now it's true that they are tickled pink (excuse the pun) when you make an effort, however slight to speak French ( a bit like the delight Jamaicans feel when tourists try their hands at the dialect, I guess). But as Uncle Sam tentacles (like it or not) reaches out globally, English is really a necessity for success here, thus, the English teaching/learning industry is in full bloom

It's very important to practise, practise, practise

The web is of course a great place where you can find a wealth of information on grammar, audio threads, or specific vocabulary. There are online software, dictionaries and freeware. But take my advice and check the forums before downloading free stuff. There is no free lunch really. Some freeware contains at best, spyware which may destablize your system and store private information or adware which assaults you with pop ups or at worse trojan horses which will really mess with your system... I've learnt the hard way...been there. Feel free to ask my opinion on stuff you've found.

This guy isn't on my site for his looks; he's got a great website "e-anglais.com"

In fact this guy's website is rather comprehensive and caters to the needs (essentially grammatical) of both adult and teenaged learners. He's also got links on there to some English language media, if you want to keep abreast of current affairs,from an anglophone point of view.

Looking for fellow learners on the net; why not join the English club France?