>To become a francophone (French speaker), you must first be a francophile (lover of French).

>Reasons for Learning French

10. You love Colette's romance novels.

9. You'd like to root for the Montréal Canadiens in French.

8. You loved Les Misérables so much that you decided to read the original version in its entirety—all 600 plus pages.

7. You want to avoid ordering francs with mustard and sauerkraut.

6. You never know when you're going to run into Catherine Deneuve.

5. You want to impress your date at a French restaurant.

4. You love French movies but find the subtitles too distracting.

3. They won't let you onto the topless beach in Martinique without it.

2. Two words: French Fries.

And finally, the best reason of all:

1. You want to meet St. Exupéry's “Little Prince.”

>Take your Actions

• Examine your goals, honestly evaluate your linguistic abilities, and pace yourself accordingly. Take your time,don't rush, and set aside special time each day that you devote only to French.

• Invest in or borrow a good bilingual dictionary. Pocket varieties (usually running between $6 and $10) may suit the needs of some learners but prove somewhat deficient for others. Carefully peruse what is available in your local bookstore or library before making a decision on what is best for you. Current popular dictionaries that are easy to use and that provide a comprehensive listing of current, colloquial vocabulary words are:

Collins-Robert (approximately $25, in China moins cher)

Larousse (approximately $50, in China moins cher)

• Take advantage of all opportunities to listen to the language. Rent French movies and try not to read the English (or Chinese) subtitles. If broadcast in your area, listen to public service radio or television stations that provide French programs. Search bookstores and public or college libraries for language tapes that will help you hear and master the French sound system. Create your own tapes and use them to perfect your accent. Ask to use language laboratories and computer programs that are available in many high schools and universities.

• Read everything you can get your hands on: fairy tales, children's books, comic books (Astérix is my personal favorite), newspapers: Le Monde, France-Soir, Le Figaro, Libération, Le Dauphiné Libéré, magazines: Paris Match, Elle, L'Express, Marie-Claire. If you're not too bashful, read aloud and practice your pronunciation and comprehension at the same time.

Create un coin français (a French corner) in a convenient spot in your home. Decorate it with posters or articles. Label items whose names you want to learn and display them for easy viewing. Keep all your materials together and organized in this special French spot.