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Language Sciences Laboratory

Brooke Freeman

French OPI Exam

Brooke started high school hoping to avoid Spanish, and since ASL was not available at her school she settled on taking French. After having an exceptional teacher during that first year, she fell in love with the language and has been studying it ever since.

At BYU, Brooke participated in an internship in Paris and a field school in Morocco. These experiences provided her with unique cultural insights, such as the social and class-based perceptions of the French language in Morocco compared to France.

On campus, Brooke further solidified her language skills by living in BYU’s French immersion housing. She notes that this environment is highly effective because students are driven to improve, though she emphasizes that "you get out of it what you put in".

Currently, Brooke maintains her fluency by teaching beginner-level French, listening to French music, and staying in touch with her Moroccan host family.

Brooke said the most helpful class at BYU was French 411 with Dr. Rose. She found this course essential because it is specifically structured to:

  • Expand advanced vocabulary. 
  • Target specific OPI topics. 
  • Structure responses to demonstrate complex grammatical principles and argumentation skills. 

She stresses the importance of consistent practice, noting that by practicing the same types of conversations daily in class, the language became so "ingrained" that she was able to perform well even under the stress of the actual exam.

For those looking to improve their language skills, Brooke offers the following advice:

  • Embrace Mistakes: Brooke believes a willingness to make mistakes is vital for growth. As a teacher, she prefers students who try and fail over those who remain silent. 
  • Seek Correction: Approaching interactions with the mindset of "please help me improve" makes receiving corrections a positive part of the learning process. 
  • Prioritize Connection: Brooke views language as a tool for human connection. She believes that the desire to connect with others and their culture far outweighs the importance of speaking with perfect correctness. 

Ultimately, Brooke’s success stems from her passion for the language and her belief that language opens doors to helping and connecting with people in ways that would otherwise be impossible.