How good is everyone's French here?
Nov 25th 2010 | 9:30 am
#31
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Re: How good is everyone's French here?
Yeah, sorry, typo.
Nov 25th 2010 | 7:08 pm
#32
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From: Alsace
Re: How good is everyone's French here?
Nov 26th 2010 | 4:50 am
#33
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: 32 Gers ; Between Toulouse and Auch
Re: How good is everyone's French here?
Or perhaps 'what does it mean to be Mick Jagger?'
a pretty std, if pointless celeb question
a pretty std, if pointless celeb question
Dec 7th 2010 | 2:54 pm
#34
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From: Near Dieppe 76, moving to near Prades 66
Re: How good is everyone's French here?
Hello
I arrived in France in 2001 at the age of 56. I went to Alliance Française language school in Rouen for a year. After that I took the DALF diploma at Rouen Uni. I highly recommend the DALF, it's really hard work but you get a good written and spoken understanding of French.
I also recommend my plan B. I married a Francaise last Saturday and inherited 3 children and 7 grandchildren. We speak French.
DejW
I arrived in France in 2001 at the age of 56. I went to Alliance Française language school in Rouen for a year. After that I took the DALF diploma at Rouen Uni. I highly recommend the DALF, it's really hard work but you get a good written and spoken understanding of French.
I also recommend my plan B. I married a Francaise last Saturday and inherited 3 children and 7 grandchildren. We speak French.
DejW
Dec 7th 2010 | 7:00 pm
#35
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,549
Re: How good is everyone's French here?
Hello
I arrived in France in 2001 at the age of 56. I went to Alliance Française language school in Rouen for a year. After that I took the DALF diploma at Rouen Uni. I highly recommend the DALF, it's really hard work but you get a good written and spoken understanding of French.
I also recommend my plan B. I married a Francaise last Saturday and inherited 3 children and 7 grandchildren. We speak French.
DejW
I arrived in France in 2001 at the age of 56. I went to Alliance Française language school in Rouen for a year. After that I took the DALF diploma at Rouen Uni. I highly recommend the DALF, it's really hard work but you get a good written and spoken understanding of French.
I also recommend my plan B. I married a Francaise last Saturday and inherited 3 children and 7 grandchildren. We speak French.
DejW
Dec 8th 2010 | 1:08 am
#37
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 825
From: i am here
Re: How good is everyone's French here?
Hello
I arrived in France in 2001 at the age of 56. I went to Alliance Française language school in Rouen for a year. After that I took the DALF diploma at Rouen Uni. I highly recommend the DALF, it's really hard work but you get a good written and spoken understanding of French.
I also recommend my plan B. I married a Francaise last Saturday and inherited 3 children and 7 grandchildren. We speak French.
DejW
I arrived in France in 2001 at the age of 56. I went to Alliance Française language school in Rouen for a year. After that I took the DALF diploma at Rouen Uni. I highly recommend the DALF, it's really hard work but you get a good written and spoken understanding of French.
I also recommend my plan B. I married a Francaise last Saturday and inherited 3 children and 7 grandchildren. We speak French.
DejW
chill
Jan 14th 2011 | 5:13 am
#39
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3
Re: How good is everyone's French here?
I came here 9 months ago with no French whatsoever. I never studied French GCSE and I could barely ask for a baguette in the boulangerie.
I took 10 private classes over a couple of months when I first arrived, then did no study until last September when I started a weekly class at the Mairie. When I took a test there to determine my level I was told I was at a 'low intermediate' level. Unfortunately, I don't get a lot of practice as I'm a stay at home mum and I don't know too many French people here, but I'd say that while I would probably achieve an A* at GCSE, I would struggle at A-level, maybe only managing a B or a C.....
I often feel frustrated at myself at how slowly the process is going, but I'm hoping I can reach a somewhat advanced level a year or 18 months from now. Ultimately I'd like to be proficient enough one day to work in a French speaking office. I do hope that it will eventually be possible!
I took 10 private classes over a couple of months when I first arrived, then did no study until last September when I started a weekly class at the Mairie. When I took a test there to determine my level I was told I was at a 'low intermediate' level. Unfortunately, I don't get a lot of practice as I'm a stay at home mum and I don't know too many French people here, but I'd say that while I would probably achieve an A* at GCSE, I would struggle at A-level, maybe only managing a B or a C.....
I often feel frustrated at myself at how slowly the process is going, but I'm hoping I can reach a somewhat advanced level a year or 18 months from now. Ultimately I'd like to be proficient enough one day to work in a French speaking office. I do hope that it will eventually be possible!
Jan 14th 2011 | 5:41 am
#40
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,549
Re: How good is everyone's French here?
I came here 9 months ago with no French whatsoever. I never studied French GCSE and I could barely ask for a baguette in the boulangerie.
I took 10 private classes over a couple of months when I first arrived, then did no study until last September when I started a weekly class at the Mairie. When I took a test there to determine my level I was told I was at a 'low intermediate' level. Unfortunately, I don't get a lot of practice as I'm a stay at home mum and I don't know too many French people here, but I'd say that while I would probably achieve an A* at GCSE, I would struggle at A-level, maybe only managing a B or a C.....
I often feel frustrated at myself at how slowly the process is going, but I'm hoping I can reach a somewhat advanced level a year or 18 months from now. Ultimately I'd like to be proficient enough one day to work in a French speaking office. I do hope that it will eventually be possible!
I took 10 private classes over a couple of months when I first arrived, then did no study until last September when I started a weekly class at the Mairie. When I took a test there to determine my level I was told I was at a 'low intermediate' level. Unfortunately, I don't get a lot of practice as I'm a stay at home mum and I don't know too many French people here, but I'd say that while I would probably achieve an A* at GCSE, I would struggle at A-level, maybe only managing a B or a C.....
I often feel frustrated at myself at how slowly the process is going, but I'm hoping I can reach a somewhat advanced level a year or 18 months from now. Ultimately I'd like to be proficient enough one day to work in a French speaking office. I do hope that it will eventually be possible!
Jan 14th 2011 | 6:47 am
#41
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14
From: Near Dieppe 76, moving to near Prades 66
Re: How good is everyone's French here?
Hello Natilie in Paris
From my experience and from watching others, there are 2 aspects of learning French in France.
Number 1 - is the technical bit of knowing how to conjugate verbs etc, learning vocabulary. Languages use a particular part of the brain, and I'm weak in that area. I'm an engineer I was always looking for the "theory", "the rules". Languages are not like that.
Number 2 - motivation. Frankly, if you live in a foriegn country I think there is a moral obligation to learn the language. This comes down to motivation. May I suggest the following activities to help you break out of your "Englsih bubble"
Watch the météo on TV - France 2 at 1945 and then again at 2045. They've got pictograms to make it easier ,and the repitition helps. It's good French too.
Read a book that interests you - cooking, child care, anything to get you thinking in French. The children's book "le petit prince" is very readable by adults. Search in the supermarket.
Find a tame French person and get them to talk S L O W L Y to you, pointing at things. Some people can do it, some can't.
Let me know if you want more help
DejW
From my experience and from watching others, there are 2 aspects of learning French in France.
Number 1 - is the technical bit of knowing how to conjugate verbs etc, learning vocabulary. Languages use a particular part of the brain, and I'm weak in that area. I'm an engineer I was always looking for the "theory", "the rules". Languages are not like that.
Number 2 - motivation. Frankly, if you live in a foriegn country I think there is a moral obligation to learn the language. This comes down to motivation. May I suggest the following activities to help you break out of your "Englsih bubble"
Watch the météo on TV - France 2 at 1945 and then again at 2045. They've got pictograms to make it easier ,and the repitition helps. It's good French too.
Read a book that interests you - cooking, child care, anything to get you thinking in French. The children's book "le petit prince" is very readable by adults. Search in the supermarket.
Find a tame French person and get them to talk S L O W L Y to you, pointing at things. Some people can do it, some can't.
Let me know if you want more help
DejW
Jan 19th 2011 | 12:17 am
#42
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Amongst Melbourne's tall gum trees
Jan 19th 2011 | 2:47 am
#43
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 37
Re: How good is everyone's French here?
I would recommend watching French TV (we like Arte) and switching on the French sub-titles so you read as well as listen. I am at the stage of being able to talk to pretty much anyone about anything (not nuclear physics), but still make grammatical errors. I make an effort to use complex sentences and try to find people who will give me a good model of spoken French (though I talk to everyone else as well!).
Jan 19th 2011 | 4:54 am
#44
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Posts: 2
Re: How good is everyone's French here?
Il n'y a que un pas entre le sublime et la ridicule
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
You might be surprised at the answer. I'll give it in a future post.
If you live in France, you have a better than even chance of becoming fluent in French, provided you make the effort to try, because most French people don't speak or are unwilling to try to speak English. Also, they will help you if you ask them and be tolerant.
By contrast, in Germany or Switzerland, most people under 40 speak English with reasonable fluency and are reluctant to allow you to practice your German to communicate as you are the perfect opportunity for them to get some English practice.
Practice makes perfect. Imbibing some alcohol first helps with making the effort.
Qu'est-ce que c'est?
You might be surprised at the answer. I'll give it in a future post.
If you live in France, you have a better than even chance of becoming fluent in French, provided you make the effort to try, because most French people don't speak or are unwilling to try to speak English. Also, they will help you if you ask them and be tolerant.
By contrast, in Germany or Switzerland, most people under 40 speak English with reasonable fluency and are reluctant to allow you to practice your German to communicate as you are the perfect opportunity for them to get some English practice.
Practice makes perfect. Imbibing some alcohol first helps with making the effort.
Jan 20th 2011 | 3:46 am
#45
Just Joined
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4
From: fontenay le comte
Re: How good is everyone's French here?
came here 3 years ago not speaking f'all.. litrally just learnt the difference between "bonjour" and "bonsoir".. not too good at writing/reading but can speak it fluent now pretty much. since being here i've constantly been employed though, always by french employers so its helped alot. makes things so much easier when you kinow the language pff..
