I don’t like language textbooks and I’m a language teacher 😱

It’s the reflex of most wannabe language learners – THE TEXTBOOK.
 
In most cases, the textbook is going to collect the dust for a few years before it’ll be given to the niece who’s learning French, or sold alongside ugly dishes in a garage sale.
 
In some cases, it transforms a once peaceful person into a soldier of French grammar. Not a pretty sight. Especially when their grammar is, at best, shaky.
 
Rarely, it works. (And we’ll talk about why and how you can make sure that it works for you in a minute).
 
But I’m going to be straight with you.
 
I don’t like textbooks and I think you should be wary o them. And I’m a language teacher.
 
Here’s why.

Textbooks are basing everything on grammar

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Yes yes yes, grammar, grammar, grammar.
 
Grammar purists and I don’t get along.
 
Usually because they’re huge snobs. And, of course, I’m an angel 😇
 
Let’s be nice and concede them something though.
 
Grammar is somehow important.
 
After all, it’s the mechanics of a language.
 
But you can totally learn a language without even thinking in terms of grammar rules, or learn list of irregular verbs by heart.
 
You will know them. But you won’t have to stare at them in their grocery list form FOR HOURS to do so.
 
I talk about one of the techniques to do so here.
 
But I digress.
 
The problem is not so much grammar, as it is that your learning will be BASED on grammar.
 
And that’s a risky business because grammar is full of exceptions.
 
Plus, it’s not going to make you the most natural sounding speaker.
 
Grammar won’t teach you spontaneous.
 
And to me, communication is mostly spontaneous.
 
Unless you want to learn French to become the next Balzac.
 
I’ll spare you my Balzac rant. (I promise I’m a nice positive kind of person).

Textbooks are books (duh)

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Don’t get me wrong, I looooove books.
 
But it’s not exactly the same as speaking with a native.
 
During my coaching sessions, the most recurrent problem is this. Learners use a lot of materials (can be textbooks, can be apps), but, they’re not capable to speak to me in French.
 
They are working so hard. Yet they have very little results.
 
It’s normal. It’s simply because they are not used to speak.
 
They read, they listen and they write. But they don’t speak.
 
And all their grammar knowledge goes to waste because of it. (And sometimes, their motivation goes out of the window too).
 
Such a shame!
 
(Luckily it’s easy to fix)

Textbooks assume anyone is everybody

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Everyone is different.
 
Bravo Marie, you’re a genius. 😉 
 
What I mean is, everyone’s brains, goals, hopes, dreams, personalities are different.
 
If not, we would be called robots, not humans.
 
However, a textbook is speaking to you the EXACT same way it does to any other person.
 
The information is conveyed EXACTLY the same way to everyone.
 
And it’s all package to try to appeal to everybody who is learning French.
 
But you are not learning French for the same reasons than everyone else, are you? 
 
OK, some textbooks are specific (usually it’s for business). But it’s still quite rare.
 
You can find plenty of phrase books for travel. But, as far as I know, there’s ZERO textbooks for travellers.
 

When are textbooks useful then?

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I’m reasonable. Even though I don’t like textbooks, I can see why, in some cases, they might be useful.

When learning a bit of grammar doesn’t hurt. (Only my pride)

If you have been learning French for a while, but that you are stuck on the intermediate plateau, maybe a bit of grammar will help you.
 
It will structure your understanding of French sentences and tenses.
 
Just make sure the textbook doesn’t become your ONLY source of learning, and that you get tons of practice.
 
(Although, I would suggest you to invest in a grammar book rather than a textbook. Like the Bescherelle.)

When you NEED structure

Some of us need structure to learn.
 
I’m more the spontaneous, autodidact kind. But I get it.
 
When learning something seems impossible, or that the task is daunting, having a clear structure path to follow is easy.
 
So a textbook can be a tremplin to language learning.
 
Although you could totally create your own structure too.

When you find a textbook that is made for you

My friend Angel’s teaching is based on this. He is not creating a textbook for you, but he’s crafting a personalised plan based on your goals and interest.
 
He’s creating a plan, especially for you. And it works.
 
Why? Because everything is created for you.
 
Now, it’s rare, but it can happen, you could maybe take a look at the different textbooks available on the market, and if you find one that really resonate with you, I’d say it’s going to be a good companion to your learning.
 
And it’s not just in terms of goals, it’s also about the teaching method.
 

REMEMBER

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Textbooks are not the devil. Yet, they’re not the ONLY solution to language learning.
 
You could decide to learn French with movies for example.
 
There’s plenty of methods that are equally as good.
 
The thing I want you to remember from this, is that you are an individual with specific needs (in terms of language learning duh).
 
How is it you learn the best usually?
 
Because learning a language is NOT a complex intellectual yet mechanical process. It’s pretty EASY.
 
Just, you need to be real with yourself.

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OK. It’s a word that you probably use quite regularly as an English speaker (if not all the time). Am I right? So how do you say ok in French?

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