I’ve discovered a genius… unfortunately after his death
A few weeks ago I accidentally stumbled across a piece of software called Rosetta Stone which, for those who don’t know it, is a very clever piece of software used to teach you a foreign language. With this software I also obtained all the French CDs and have been quietly working my way through the course to brush up on my French.
Although I’m still only a little way into the course I do feel it is improving my French in leaps and bounds.
As a supplement I thought I probably should also find some audio recordings that I could listen to in the car or on my MP3 player at lunchtime. After some searching around and trying a few out I again accidentally came across something called the “Michel Thomas Method” - at first I was sceptical based on all the glowing praise about how incredible it was. I’ve always been sceptical of those motivational courses and how to become a millionaire course etc so, with all the comments about his method, was a bit dubious this was all just some marketing for some run of the mill french course.
Anyway, I decided to try them out…. OMG!!!! I’m converted…. Michel Thomas is an absolute genius! The way he teaches French is incredible and after listening to only 4 of his CDs so far I’ve learnt more from him than I ever learnt in the classroom when I was back at school learning French. If I had this guy as my French teacher back then I would be speaking French fluently by now I’m sure!
I rarely am prepared to give the tag “Genius” to anybody but this guy truly is one… his knowledge of language is incredible and his ability to explain how language works and his teaching method generally is just something truly special! Given that he died in 2005, aged 90, I’m so happy that he recorded his teachings so that his legacy could continue.
RIP Michel Thomas, you have my greatest respect and I’m only sorry that I never discovered you sooner…. preferably before you died so that I would have been able to thank you!
As an aside though I must say that his accent and mannerisms on the recordings sounds like Serge Gainsbourg (another rare individual I would class as a genius…. also deceased). I therefore do find it a little funny that I feel I am being teached French by Serge Gainsbourg sometimes when I listen to Michel Thomas’ recordings!
Anyway… if you want to learn French I would truly recommend you check out Michel Thomas…. together with the course I’m doing through Rosetta Stone I feel I’m making great progress in finally unlocking the French language that has so fascinated me for so many years.