The recent stock market crash of 2008 has left millions of investors questioning their conventional investment reasoning. Financial advisors are finding it more and more difficult to convince their clients of sound financial plans — and rightfully so. Americans are wising up to the reality that investing may be more complicated then they originally thought. Or maybe investing is not more complicated. Maybe investors have simply been miseducated.Miseducation can come in many different forms. Television stories, uneducated advisors, propaganda pieces, not to mention just good ol’ fashion uninformed word of mouth. In fact word of mouth is probably the biggest proponent of miseducation. But just because Uncle Jimmy says it, doesn’t mean it is true. In this multi-part article series I’m going to expose several myths commonly associated with the stock market and investing. If these myths are deeply held beliefs of your own I guarantee you can improve your financial performance by simply re-educating your investment mindset.1. The Stock Market Must Go Up To Make MoneyIn my years of trading and education I have found this myth to be the most common mis-understanding of all. It makes perfect sense. When it comes to investing no single message is preached more clearly than this one. “Good news on Wall St. today, the stock market rose 79 points.” Or “Tough day on Wall St as stocks fell a staggering 87 points”. These headlines and messages are literally seared into the subconscious minds of virtually all Americans. Even well educated people like myself who understand how the market works find it hard to not smile when we hear of huge gains on Wall St.However just because the market goes up it doesn’t mean people made money. And just because the market goes down it does not mean people lost money. The truth is there are three directions the stock market can, and does move: Up, Down, and sideways. And you better believe if there are multiple ways the market can move there are also multiple ways to make money with each directional move. Myth: BUSTED.2. Stock Market Investing Is RiskyThis is an equally popular myth yet one which can also be debunked. I already stated that there are three ways the market can move: up, down, and sideways. And I’ve already established that most people think when the market goes up you can make money. But that is only 1/3 of the choices since the market can move three directions. That means the odds are stacked against you 2/3 of the time. With that math the risk associated with this myth may appear true. However I also said there are different strategies to make money with each of the directions the market may move. That means with a little education you can learn to make money in each of those three directions.The risk here is not in the market itself but rather in the lack of education. For people who do not have a proper education of the stock market these investments can absolutely be risky. In fact if you do not have an education the odds are 2/3 against you that you will receive an education the hard way – losing money! However with a little education and a little knowledge you can make money in 3/3 market directions. Myth: BUSTED.3. Over 20 Years The Stock Market Always Goes UpThis myth is a favorite of financial advisors and to be honest it is kind of true. During the last 100 years (which I expect encompasses your lifetime) we’ve had an interesting series of events. Let’s look at that for a moment: If you invested $10,000 in 1909 for 20 years by 1929 that money would have been worth over $30,000! Not bad. But if you had started in 1911 and invested $10,000 20 years later in 1931 you would have just right around $10,000. Oops. Wrong 20 years. If you had invested $10,000 in 1919 for 20 years it would have been worth roughly $10,000 in 1939. Oops. Wrong 20 years. If you had invested $10,000 in 1929 (God Forbid) getting back to a $10,000 value would have taken until about 1955 (A full 26 years!). Oops, wrong 20 years. $10,000 in 1939 would have been worth about $50,000 in 1959. Not bad. 1949-1969 would have yielded a similar result. 1959-1979 would have made some money, but not nearly enough to keep up with inflation. 1969-1989 would have roughly doubled your money. 1979-99 was great. 1989-2009 worked well too. But what about 1999-2009? uh-oh. If you invested $10,000 in the market in 1999 today that $10,000 would be worth roughly $10,000.My point is the market doesn’t always go up. And it is really un-cool if you’re one of those people who get stuck in a 20 year down cycle when you’re ready to pull out your money. And is it really worth waiting 20 years to find out if you will get to retire during a market high or a market low? To top that off currently (in 2009) many economists are predicting the next 15 years to be one of those large down cycles. With such a spotted history and so many negative predictions is it really worth risking the next 20 years to be anything like 1911, 1919, 1929, 1939, or any of the other rough 20 year cycles? Truth is the market does NOT always go up over any 20 year period. And as 1909-1911 showed us, only a couple of years can make the difference between a really great 20 return and a downright devastating 20 year period. Myth: BUSTED.4. The Best Way To Make Money In Stocks Is To Buy And HoldBuy and hold is traditional wisdom. But it parallels the first three myths we’ve talked about. The idea is you buy a stock and hold it and in a few years it will be worth more. Hopefully a lot more. Since buy and hold doesn’t always work people get the idea that investing is risky. Truth is investment risk is directly proportional to the amount of investing education a person has (or does not have). In the professional investing world we have variation on Buy and Hold – we call it Buy, Hold, and Pray. That’s because with this strategy a person buys a stock, they hold it, and pray it goes up. Of course with three potential market directions, and the reality that markets do not always go higher, the investor may be praying quite a bit only to realize their chances of having that prayer answered are about 1 in 3! Myth: BUSTED.5. News And Research Groups Have the Hot Stock TipsThis final myth is one of the most popular investment strategies for high paid professionals. Some people make a lot of money selling these hot investment tips to people who want to put their money in the market. However the foundation of Dow Theory actually proves this method to be a myth. Charles Dow wrote around the turn of the 20th century and is the father of the Dow Jones Industrial Average which we often refer to as “the market”. He states in his theories that there are 3 phases to the growth of a trend. The Accumulation phase, the Public Participation phase, and finally the Dispersion phase. The accumulation phase is when major institutions begin to buy. Like the name suggests the public participation phase is when the masses of the public begin to buy. And the dispersion phase is when the major institutions (who started the trend) begin to sell and “disperse” their positions. The interesting thing about this is Dow directly tied news related stories to the dispersion phase. Basically stating by the time it’s in print and the news is high, the move is over and the “smart money” has already begun dispersing their positions.Using the basis of Dow Theory alone we can assume if it’s in print it’s too late. In fact generally speaking this proves true among printed stock recommendations. I recently analyzed one of these picks with a student. The pick was for the stock to be higher in 12 months yet after a brief analysis we determined there was absolutely zero green signs to push forward with this trade. There were about 8 yellow indications saying this might be a good trade in the future, and there were 3 red flags telling us reasons this stock should go down in the near future.The reality about hot stock tips is they are usually not that hot. Traditional individual analysis is always more reliable and avoiding these tips will help you avoid losses in your portfolio. Myth: BUSTED.
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Human Rights and Democracy
Ever since the organisastion of societies in different forms came about, conflicts in the manner of assuming, conferring or exercising of authority and rights and contingent duties for the accepted ideals have been considered in great detail by eminent thinkers. Accordingly, concepts like democracy, liberty, equality, fraternity, state, nation, privileges and forms of governments ranging from absolute monarchy to militarism to democratic functioning in different mores have been analyzed, given shape and systematically followed by different peoples in different climes and times in different manner. The greatest legacy of the 20th century has been to disseminate information on these aspects of civilized life to those who aspire to carve out for their communities, the finest ideas and ideals that the best minds have bequeathed to posterity and for which successive generations of mankind had struggled and shown the pathway.DemocracyIn fact, the connotation of the word ‘Democracy’ itself has undergone great changes from the very early times to the present. For the purposes of this article, we will confine ourselves to the generally accepted modern usage of western liberal approach. Similarly ‘Rights’ -acquired, conferred upon or claimed to be of divine origin – has many attributes. Here, too, we will follow what has been the outstanding contribution of British Parliamentary evolution’s gift go humanity as a whole, once again nurtured by such great turning evenings of history as the French Revolution, American War of Independence, liberalism of different hues down to the claims of the proletarian revolution, Afro-Asian-Latin American resurgence and traditions of modern democratic states in general, which by mutual consent between the governed the government, have in theory at least, accepted certain rights as indispensable for the functioning of the state.
Unity of mankindThe world today largely presents a different picture from what it was at the beginning of the 20th century. Enormous and incredible changes brought about in various facets of life due to scientific advancement have touched upon the lives in all the continents, though in varying shades. Similarly information on the way of life of other people, now instantaneously reach all parts of the globe giving scope for reaction, assimilation, adoption or adaptation. Man appears to be truly moving towards the common goal of “One World’, a very distant but distinct perspective of a Tamil bard who had said several hundreds of years back, “The whole world is mine, all are my brethren.”
The economic prospects of globalization of not merely trade and commerce but educational and employment mobility and opportunities, the tremendous scope of reaching out almost anywhere in all areas of human endeavour, have given rise to globalization of thinking on human values as well. Gone are the mere talk about something happening in distant parts of the world. Along with many great strides in positive advancements, negative thinking leading to catastrophic events attempted by nihilists, terrorists and anarchists also pose a change to modern states and citizens in not just protecting their narrow domains but to think in terms of global security, growth, prosperity, sharing and a concern for the entire humanity, unprecedented in dimensions in earlier times. And as the micro will show the path for macro or the micro and macro have together to tread cautiously to elude different forms of violence, it is easier to understand the implications of a well-knit individual unit of modern state to pay attention to the human rights to its citizens, with a view to appreciate similar aspirations of people everywhere so that collective protection becomes inherent starting point of all civilised states to come together to enrich humanity. On the assumption of viable modern states and citizens striving for harmony and global peace, inevitable interaction between national and international events, we shall now concentrate on human rights in a democratic form of state.Modern StatesOrganisation of modern states was not a smooth task. Even in the past and medieval times, monarchy or any other type of government involved use of force to create, sustain and often enlarge the domain of the state. Philosophers from the time of Socrates down to Bertrand Russell in modern times have dwelt at length on the consent of the governed, participation of the governed, opportunities of the governed, enlargement of the scope of the governed in the process of government for the betterment of individuals and institutions, societies and the world at large. Many modern states have attempted to incorporate in their political constitutions the noble ideals of different nations so that the benefit of collective wisdom is shared and applied in detail to avoid pitfalls encountered by others.In brief, we have to assume that a modern state has to be concerned with appropriate rights and duties of the citizens who constitute the state. After all, governments are but reflections of the people composing the state. As the heritage of humanity is common, as indeed scientific and literary delights have been shared, so too the political values need to be imbibed by people to look forward to a betterment of their lives. For we have not reached the stage of people as a community without the burden of the instrument of a state, which essentially has to have some coercive powers to enforce the collective ideals.This brings us to the complexities of the modern organisation of state itself. It is occasionally possible for a small state to have a sense of great identity in language, religion, culture, way of living, economic moorings, racial characteristics and a desire to live together under the banner of a state. But even very small countries do have problems with minorities of various descriptions and, therefore, care is to be taken to ensure that rights are had by all who are members of the body-politic. If even the small states with great cohesion do encounter such problems, nothing need be said about multifarious constituents in larger states where diversities are the order due to historical and contemporary factors. Nevertheless, the story of the past sixty years or so, ever since the founding of the United Nations with all its shortcomings and glories, the mergence of nation-states in large parts of Africa and Asia from the clutches of colonialism and imperialism, the story of the majority of human population to rise from the ashes of the enormous burden of the past in its varying and suppressive legacy of the past, to look forward to a better life, is a pointer to the need for assigning dignified human rights to a democratically functioning state. We have enough evidence to state that such human rights in a democratically embedded state have led to all-round development of the people and an urge towards extending such benefits to every group of human beings with a view to help realize the value of not just an inherited legacy but the norms of material comforts enjoyed by advanced nations.Religious differences So we are concerned with the problem of a modern democratic state but have to address the problem of religious differences as well. For, there are many modern states where one religion is declared to be an official one. We will assume that we are concerned with those states only to the extent of these giving rights to religious minorities. There have been many states paying lip sympathy to some religion or the other, without really caring much for the metaphysical needs of the people. We shall assume that it is largely left to the individuals to cater to themselves without being bothered by the state about the pursuit of their religious beliefs. Also we have a number of states coming out with the concept of secularism, though the term is interpreted in different fashions. For our purposes this is very important because we are largely interested in giving norms for a democratically inclined societies where rights include the right to practise one’s religious inclinations without being disturbed by the members of the rest of the society or from the instruments of the state.This is not some idealistic norm as the events in Israel and Palestinian states of any number of other tragically juxtaposed communities longing to find security and harmony would indicate. We are not for a moment suggesting that theocratic states have in-built opposition to other religious practices. But we do know that by and large, many countries with strong religious base do not come forward to accord liberal permission for citizens with different faiths to practise theirs without interference.SecularismAccordingly we are concerned with a modern, democratic, secular state : this is a contemporary theme. A few words on modernism would not be out of place. Here we mean largely the socially accepted ideals of transition from some outdated conceptions of the past and a passion for looking forward to fresh, rational approach susceptible to the good changes coming from anywhere without necessarily sacrificing what a people consider as intrinsically indispensable for their need to protect their cultural or other identities. In this sense secularism not merely indicates a non involvement of the state with reference to religious beliefs and practices of the people but would enforce that such an approach is had by all the members of the society, whether in a majority or minority religious milieu. Secularism would imply that people reach out to others to form a state, fully knowing that individuals have the right to hold on to their cherished values. Secularism implies that these differences do not affect the progress of the state and its people as a whole towards betterment of their material comforts and other cultural pursuits so that the purpose of coming together, subordinating other variations, is fulfilled. It also encourages all its citizens to understand that the beliefs and behaviour of others in respective religious spheres should be respected, appreciated and at no stage ridiculed, denigrated or slighted. Secularism has this great positive impetus to impart so that harmony is cultivated as a mater of course and with due regards to the attitude of others.Accordingly, a modern state has a given territory, people, a constitution to lay down the norms of relationship that fundamentally should subsist between the government and the people, a government as an instrument of state’s sovereignty to implement the policies and programmes of the people. This requires an explicit laying down the rights of the people -and correspondingly the duties as well – so that this living together can serve a better purpose. The framers of the constitution must take into consideration the unity or diversity of the people and should forge values which would hold them together. Without the guiding principles, there would be discordant notes. With specific guaranteed rights, the government of the state and the people know the respective duties and obligations so that any threat to harmonious balance is averted. All modern constitutions, therefore, contain regulatory provisions for the governance. We shall now look into the need for appropriate definition of human rights in a democracy.Democracy, not merely a political toolWhile this much abused word ‘democracy’ has the potential of distorting even good intentioned ideals, it cannot be denied that despite many difficulties, it is the best devised form of government. The reason is obvious. There has to be a sense of understanding true democratic norms. Democracy is not merely a political tool to bring together people for economic betterment but it enhances the quality of the life of the people by enabling them to pursue individual course of life to the full and integrating it with those of others so that collectively benefit is shared by all. This is a safer method of government, for in this, the rights to discuss, dissent, disseminate views are recognised and larger the participation of the people, the better for the state as a whole.
Common ideals inspire people to come together and in order that this togetherness leads to enhanced quality of life, there should be vigorous efforts to remove any obstacles. There are bound to be differences as to the methods for reaching the goals but the basic idea that others too are genuinely interested in the goals must be understood. In this context, democratic norms are not merely for just political settings but are applicable to other areas of human activities as well. They invest in the community a sense of belonging together, to understand others’ point of view so that harmonious working together for welfare of all is the concern of all. The aims are laudable. It is not mere head counting to settle vexatious disputes. It is putting heads together to find solutions to complex problems and assure that dignity, fairplay and justice would be ensured to all. It may sound platonic but it is true that very ignorant people have been inspired to raise themselves to very great heights through proper lead given by their committed leaders. When Abraham Lincoln declared that the then civil war would decide the great issue that all men were created equal, he laid down a noble norm implicitly followed by people elsewhere too. People like Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and a host of others had this passion for serving the common people. We find in all the newly independent countries in the post-second world war era, people clinging to the liberalist ideals and democracy of the European hue. And to overcome violent means to sustain democratic practices, states have carefully incorporated in their constitutions the basic principles which would guide the people in active participation in community life.Having stated that in a modern, secular state people come together for advancement of material and other benefits, we shall briefly state the rights required for such advancement and the means whereby they could be furthered. We need not go into the details of governmental machinery as we shall assume that people had chosen what has suited them best. There shall be no discrimination based on race or language, religion or any divisive force to disturb the balance. Rights, accordingly, would be qualitatively stronger and greater than mere quantity. The position of different states with reference to education, resources, constraints of the past, the cobwebs of centuries will be different. Still, the beauty of democracy is that it preaches not just a political accommodation of diverse elements but a social and cultural emancipation together with better economic advancement. To enjoy the fruits of science and technology, no social or religious past deadwood need stand in the way. That is where democratic spirit, democratic outlook, a democratic concern and democratic way of life would go a long way than any other political system which could arrogate to itself the right to tell citizens what they must do.Human RightsHuman Rights postulate, therefore, the attitude on the part of the people that would enable them to blend the fine values of the past with the fine elements from contemporary world, wherever good things could be absorbed. They would be embedded in the basic structure of the constitution as rights to be enjoyed by the people. The following are indispensable in the domain of rights.1. Right to Health CareThe right to good health needs hardly to be stressed, though surprisingly overlooked. We often come across even in the relatively well-informed government circles people gathering for an occasion provided with bottled mineral waters while those whom they are supposed to govern do not have access to clean drinking water. If this condition prevails for water, one of nature’s bounties, which must be made available to all, one can imagine situation in other basic health factors. We hear governments spending billions to explore space and go to moon but not much is done to slake the thirst of citizens! If health starts with water, then what of other medical facilities? Healthcare should be society’s concern: more so in the emerging nations where money is had for any number of fancy schemes. Waster, clean environment, food, healthcare are indispensable tools for building a better society. We cannot perpetuate inequity and inequality even with regard to drinking water and health problems. To invest in human resources is to reap the benefits for all. The tragic sequence of events in Somalia is but a reminder to the conscience of mankind. Opulence in one part of humanity and utter poverty to the point of destitution in this age of advanced technology makes nonsense of scientific progress and universal humanism. So in this subsection under health, we suggest that all the basic needs from waster to clothing to housing to recreation form an integral first step to distinguish man from animals. No effort should be spared to declare this as “right” as distinguished from philanthropy or charity or humanitarian cause. To live first as decent human beings, basic health care for all must be conceived, developed and sustained.2. Right to EducationMan is distinguished from the rest of the species but his capacity to learn and progress. Democracy is a form of government assuring equality and liberty for all the citizens and it would be a mockery if a large number of people go with proper education. Many oriental traditions are rich in literature but unfortunately until fairly recently education, the right to be literate, the right to have access to knowledge was limited to a few. We are not here concerned with sociological reasons and surmises. We are concerned with the present and the future and if we can go the moon, certainly we can make our brothers and sisters read and write, develop skills which would be true liberation. Educational rights should not be exclusive for the privileged alone. Educational opportunities must be had by all. It is one means by which the individual recognizes and develops one’s capabilities. We may also note that in many newly emerging states gender injustice, that is, denying womenfolk to good education is denied. Education alone would pave the way for true advancement of the society. Education is a great equalizer. It clothes men and women with right attitudes, right conduct and right thinking. Education, general or technical is not a superficial acquisition. It is as important as fresh air and water for betterment. It is not a gift by a society or a government. It should be made the inherent right to gateway to knowledge. And from knowledge flows all other benefits. To deny education is to deny civilization: to deny values: to talk of democracy without assuring the citizens the right to be educated is a travesty of justice. Education is the most liberating influence on individual and society. Education truly is the guiding spirit for the success of democratic way of living.3. Right to EmploymentIt is true that there are many problems confronting any society to provide all the citizens appropriate employment opportunities. However, science and technology have grown in such great dimensions, that the potentials of employment are staggering indeed. What is required is a socially conscious will to equitably apportion the work required for smoothly carrying out the functions of society. There are practically no limits to which the human mind is capable of devising measures, if the need arises, to overcome any obstacle. When such is the case, the problem of lopsided opportunities must be addressed to. When nature’s constraints in food production could be overcome by scientific application of remedial measures, is it too much to expect the best minds to sit together and find that a situation is created whereby everyone can have 6 to 7 hours work per day instead of unequal longer hours for many, no work for some etc.? It is a question of planning, not throwing our doles or curtailing some benefits but to look at humanity in a collective manner: without discrimination and the recognition of spotted talent. Here again, it is a question of proper application. If men could split atom and harness the energy for constructive purposes, they could easily split the inertia and lethargy and mindset of the past to usher in a rosy future where productive forces can be taken care of by the collective efforts of all. Planning is not necessarily an evil word: it is not regimentation. And certainly it is within the realm of possibility for people to understand that many for ever should not live at the cost of a mass of impoverished population. Work is life; idleness is death. Work is positive: idleness is negation of values.4. Political RightsMere guarantee of political rights is not enough. It is undoubtedly true that political rights are hard won but they are harder still to be sustained and passed on to the future. The assumption that political rights such as equality and liberty, voting and elections would ensure permanency in the system is naïve. Any right has a corresponding duty. If people are invested with political rights, they have to be clearly told about their duties as citizens. Political rights are like two-edged weapons. Ignorance or indifference of the people would lead to disaster. Political rights of modern times largely rest upon the assumption of equality of opportunity and status for all. This equality presupposes a number of variables but for our purpose, it is enough to state that political rights have no meaning if they are just enshrined in paper. They require constant application by the people. Technically we can have a plethora of rights but when people are so disillusioned with the system, they do not care even to exercise the most elementary freedom of right to vote. Unaware of the tremendous sacrifices made by the forebears to gain these rights, indifference and cynicism of a people not appreciating their rights would invite disaster.5. Economic RightsThis brings us to the most important right in a democracy. Economic rights are not much talked about though various ‘isms’ and theories are put for to bring about changes in the economic condition of the people. Liberty of equality or any type of political right is meaningless if a section of people to be for ever consigned to penury . The problem is deeper than mere ideological approach. It involves human values as well. Should there be a large number of people in despicable condition while some, by chance or choice, could get away with all the benefits of economic freedom? There is no need to be evasive about the answers. What must be understood is that there must be equity, opportunity for all to work and earn, curbing of exploitation, sharing of the gains of productivity by all, the right to retiral benefits, a dignified wage etc. There are realizable potentials. Technology is so developed it would be idle to pretend at this age of globalization of economic activities there should be lack of employment opportunities. What is required is a passion for social justice. Economic rights must include proper wages, holidays, right to advancement in the career, retiral benefits and finally a dignified old age. Again these are not day dreams. Some of the wildest dreams have come true. It is not too much to expect the collective wisdom of mankind to evolve conditions suitable for optimum working conditions and a respect for the right to work.6. Social and Cultural RightsWhen health care, housing, education, employment and economic rights are appropriately guaranteed by political rights, it would just be a matter of time before social and cultural rights are fruitfully conferred or enjoyed. The greatness of democracy is that it can be a great instrument in transforming the society from slumber to The greatness of democracy is that it can be a great instrument in transforming the society from slumber to The greatness of democracy is that it can be a great instrument in transforming the society from slumber to wakefulness, from inertia to dynamism and from darkness to light Political theory and thought have been enriched by great philosophers and their practice have benefited millions.ConclusionA democracy, if made to function properly, is a great tool to humanity to overcome many obstacles in the form of inherited burdens of the past or difficulties in implementing the best from the present. To sustain it we require an understanding and genuine will to confer and practice human rights. Democracy and human rights go together.
Learn and Speak French – You Can Start Learning Today
There are many people who would love to speak French and there are countless methods you can use to learn to speak this beautiful language. It is one of the romance languages which explain why the interest to learn and speak French is so popular, but it is also one of the principle languages of business and international politics. It is spoken in many countries around the world and especially countries throughout Europe.For those who wish to learn and speak French can do so more efficiently if they have already taken up Italian or Spanish since there is a huge similarity when it comes to languages that are descended from Latin; particularly in grammar and the words used.There are numerous ways available to you when you want to learn a foreign language. Due to these numerous avenues, one does not have to limit one’s self in simply taking French lessons in institutions; although if this is their first choice, one must do their research and ensure that they go to a reputable French school.Since there are several institutions and universities that offer French programs, one needs to know which place would best suit them while taking into consideration things such as the time and dates to make sure that it works well with the person’s schedule. One must also be aware of their objectives in learning French and to verify the school’s credentials. You should check out the classes and the curriculum to see if the program will be useful to you. It is also recommended to acquire references as well as considering other factors such as methods wherein the person can learn the language at a faster pace while being cost-friendly, convenient, fun and educational.If you are learning French for when you travel your best course is to learn conversational French – especially with regards to their basic and everyday needs. Basic French grammar will come in handy since there are formal tense and less formal tense in speaking French. Basic French courses covers adjectives, articles, gender, plurals, pronunciation guidelines, verb tenses, verbs and sentence structure.One of the best and quickest ways to learn and speak French would be to immerse one’s self in a completely foreign language and culture. You can join a language exchange program when you participate in this organization you are required to learn the language so you can communicate with the other members. This is also a good way to learn conversational French since the person will discover and apply French slangs and sayings which is often not taught in conventional French courses.If an individual is planning to live in France or in any country that considers French as an official language; or you could live in a country that has a very large French speaking population, you should keep in mind that you not only want to learn to speak the language you really should learn to read and write the language. This is also useful if one does business transactions with French companies.A more fun approach to learn and speak French would be to engage in an online French audio and video lesson. This is ideal for those who cannot commit to a specific schedule such as attending French classes. Another good thing about this is that one does not even have to spend a dime in doing this because the internet has countless resources that are made accessible when one goes online.Some tips in finding useful sites would be to choose those that have translational services especially in grammar, vocabulary and important phrases. One should also prioritize sites that conduct tests and exercises to note one’s progress and their fluency in the language. For more advance learning, one can opt to choose sites that offer intermediate vocabulary lessons which include interactive videos and audio clips.There are so many choices but you should try and learn just one type of learning system. A person can learn French in several ways. They simply need to choose the best method that suits them the most. Bottom line is, as long as the individual learns, enjoys and shows progress, then that is all that really matters.