hi there, im english and want to become a owsi in the next 2yrs i think learning another language is good,im looking to learn french can any one give advice on best way to learn ie focus on teaching scuba language in french first, any one out there can help please many thanks
Teach in French
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Scared Silly
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Not to sound snotty, but you might want to first work on your English. Especially the punctuation. 
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That said, going through a university or college is a good way to learn the basics. During the summer some universities offer intensive course. As for learning to speak French in the context of diving really all you need to know are the specific words for the equipment and the sport (plongee sous marine). From there go diving in France, there is lots of good diving along the Med Sea. I spent some diving out Antibes while living there and had a great time diving.
.That said, going through a university or college is a good way to learn the basics. During the summer some universities offer intensive course. As for learning to speak French in the context of diving really all you need to know are the specific words for the equipment and the sport (plongee sous marine). From there go diving in France, there is lots of good diving along the Med Sea. I spent some diving out Antibes while living there and had a great time diving.
Fluency includes reading, writing, speaking, and understanding speech.
Since one of the most important aspects of a good instructor is the ability to answer questions, be sure you master speaking and understanding.
Since one of the most important aspects of a good instructor is the ability to answer questions, be sure you master speaking and understanding.
what knotical said. Make sure you understand, and can be easily understood in the language before you try to teach something in it. Knowing the terms will definitely help, but I think that's probably the last thing you'll need. I can explain scuba-related concepts in english (though I don't), but don't ask me to even try to explain them in French (though I do consider myself to be fairly competent with the language).
Here's my experience with instructors using their second language: I did my OW course in english, but my checkout dives were conducted with french-speaking instructors (they could speak english, but the one who was doing the most talking was more comfortable in french) and since almost everyone in the group was ok with it, most of the talks were in french, with an english version when somebody needed it. The english versions were interesting though, when the instructor didn't know the english word they needed and had to throw in the french term instead, like détenteur or cagoule (regulator and hood), which have little or no resemblance to the english term.
When I did a discover scuba, english was obviously not the intructor's first language. As much as I liked the guy, I decided then and there that I wasn't going to take OW with him. He seemed great in the water, but I wanted to be able to easily understand someone when they're explaining why holding your breath is a bad idea.
Here's my experience with instructors using their second language: I did my OW course in english, but my checkout dives were conducted with french-speaking instructors (they could speak english, but the one who was doing the most talking was more comfortable in french) and since almost everyone in the group was ok with it, most of the talks were in french, with an english version when somebody needed it. The english versions were interesting though, when the instructor didn't know the english word they needed and had to throw in the french term instead, like détenteur or cagoule (regulator and hood), which have little or no resemblance to the english term.
When I did a discover scuba, english was obviously not the intructor's first language. As much as I liked the guy, I decided then and there that I wasn't going to take OW with him. He seemed great in the water, but I wanted to be able to easily understand someone when they're explaining why holding your breath is a bad idea.
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A second language will be a definite asset. French, Spanish, Mandarin, all useful to have. Would also suggest some business courses if you have the time and inclination.
Fluency in multiple languages is almost guaranteed to get you a job in the dive industry.
If you want to teach in French speaking areas and places where French speakers go on holiday, then French would be a good language to learn. On the other hand - if you want to work in South America and certain parts of the Caribbean, then Spanish would be a good idea. German works in many places because many Europeans - the Dutch and Danish especially - can communicate in German.
If you want to work in say, Egypt or Thailand then any second language will do - but to guarantee you a job, learn Russian - popular holiday destinations for rich Russians - very rare language for non-russian dive instructors to speak - and there's not so many Russian dive instructors.
If you want to know how to learn a language - go there and learn! If you want to speak French, go to France, German, to Germany, etc. Diving terminology is something you have to learn but you've got to be able to commuincate in the language first. At the very least find somebody you can talk to in that language on a regular basis.
Japanese is a good one as well - I speak a little myself - and the diving terms are easy: "Sukuba Daibingu Insturakuta" (please feel free to correct!) sort of speaks for itself...!
Good luck with whatever you decide to learn
Fluent diving,
C.
If you want to teach in French speaking areas and places where French speakers go on holiday, then French would be a good language to learn. On the other hand - if you want to work in South America and certain parts of the Caribbean, then Spanish would be a good idea. German works in many places because many Europeans - the Dutch and Danish especially - can communicate in German.
If you want to work in say, Egypt or Thailand then any second language will do - but to guarantee you a job, learn Russian - popular holiday destinations for rich Russians - very rare language for non-russian dive instructors to speak - and there's not so many Russian dive instructors.
If you want to know how to learn a language - go there and learn! If you want to speak French, go to France, German, to Germany, etc. Diving terminology is something you have to learn but you've got to be able to commuincate in the language first. At the very least find somebody you can talk to in that language on a regular basis.
Japanese is a good one as well - I speak a little myself - and the diving terms are easy: "Sukuba Daibingu Insturakuta" (please feel free to correct!) sort of speaks for itself...!
Good luck with whatever you decide to learn
Fluent diving,
C.
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