The best way to learn French, of course, is to be raised by French-speaking parents. That's the only way to speak without a foreign accent, so effortlessly that French shapes the very way you think. If you're reading this article, though, that option isn't available to you. Fortunately, here are seven great ways to learn French as an adult.

1. Go to France. Or travel to any of the other wonderful and colorful countries around the world where French is an official language. If you haven't studied French before you try this step, this amounts to hardcore immersion, but if you combine travel with a more formal method of study, this is certainly the best of these seven great ways to learn French.

2. Eat at French restaurants. Why? Because the menus are generally in French, and the wait staff will be very helpful in assisting you in deciphering the language and improving your accent at the same time. But watch out; if you're watching your waistline, this could be the most dangerous of the seven great ways to learn French!

3. Watch French movies - with the subtitles off! Or, in some cases, it's possible to watch French movies with French subtitles, which helps you catch the nuances of what the actors are saying. This is the most relaxing of the seven great ways to learn French; just get a big bowl of popcorn and dig in!

4. Take a French class. Some people are just never going to pick up the language unless they study it in a formal classroom setting, surrounded by other students and with a teacher at the head of the class. This is the most structured of the seven great ways to learn French, but it is an excellent way to learn the building blocks of French grammar - very helpful as you learn to speak the language on your own.

5. Buy French lessons on CD. People who do not require the discipline of a classroom setting - or don't have time for it - frequently learn well by this method. You can study while driving, cooking, or cleaning the house. For many people, this may be the easiest of our seven great ways to learn French.

6. Choose an online program. There are many great language-learning programs available online, and many of them come with bonus features such as computer games and forums. You're not tied to the computer, either - many of the audio portions of these programs can be downloaded to an MP3 player. Of our seven great ways to learn French, this may be the most flexible, because you can study wherever you are! I recommend you use the interactive and affordable Rocket French language course to do this with.

7. Make French friends. Check your local schools; often the French teacher is, indeed, French, or hails from a French-speaking country. He or she will probably be able to introduce you to others who share your love of French and will want to talk to you in their language. As your fluency grows, so will your social life! Of our seven great ways to learn French, this is the method with the most long-lasting effects, because you may meet people who will become your friends forever.

As you can see, there is a method suited to everyone wanting to learn a foreign language. While not every method will work in every case, one of these suggestions will definitely work for you. Choose one of these seven great ways to learn French, and start learning today!