When you learn French as an adult, it's a little different than learning it as a child. Children learn a new language through intuition and without the need for complicated grammar, vocabulary, or pronunciation lessons. Adults, on the other hand, learn differently.

When an adult tries to learn a new language, they begin by comparing it to the one they already know. They're the first to ask why something is said a specific way and they're easily frustrated when they get the response of a hat the just the way it is.? But adults have another distinct advantage? they choose to learn the language. There's much to be said for having a vested interest in something and this can be very helpful when learning a new language.

It doesn't matter how old you are ?you can learn the French language. Here are some tips to help you begin:

Start by learning the French you actually need and want to know. If you're planning to travel to France, learn the basics like asking for help and ordering food. If you're learning French because you want to impress your cute French neighbor, you might want to learn greetings, likes and dislikes, and how to talk about your family. Once you learn the basics, you can start adding the parts that deal with your interests and experiences.

Learn French the way works best for you. If grammar is useful, learn it that way. But if grammar is just frustrating you, then try an approach that is geared towards conversations. Try flash cards and lists of words. Most importantly, don't let anyone tell you that there is only one right way to learn the language ?everyone learns differently and it's important to find your own pace and style.

Repetition is the key to learning quickly and effectively. Try repeating phrases, words, and sentences over and over until they feel natural. Listening and repeating sentences several times can be very helpful, as this will help you to improve your retention, accent, and speaking skills.

Learn with someone else. Hiring a tutor or taking a class can be very helpful, since you have a more experienced speaker to correct your pronunciation and grammar. If you can't find a class near you, try learning French with your spouse, child, or a friend? you can help keep each other focused.

Spend a little time learning every day. Make a point to spend at least 15 to 30 minutes a day practicing words you're already learned or learning two or three additional words.

Learn more than is required. When you learn a new language, you should also learn the culture that goes hand in hand with it as well. Learning to speak French is more than just learning vocabulary and words ?it's also about learning the culture of French people, such as about their art, music, and their customs.

While you may find it difficult at times to learn French, the end result is truly worth the time and effort you have to put into it. There's nothing better than being able to understand what someone is saying in another language. Once you're fluent, you probably wonder why you didn't learn the language sooner.