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A web site dedicated to living in France from an expatriate viewpoint

Language

It pays to speak French!

If you want to live in France, and you don't speak French - it's time to go back to school!

When I arrived in france, I had about a dozen phrases of French, no knowledge of the grammar, and a tiny vocabulary.

Now, some eight years on, having had a little "formal" tuition, I have a good vocab and the grammar is getting there. What difference has it made? The main one is being able to participate in a conversation - when your French is not up to it, by the time you have thought of how to say something it is usually too late!

The French adore their language and are proud of it and rightly defend it from anglicisation. However much they abhor the mistakes made by their own speakers and writers, they love it when us etrangers try to speak it. They will forgive the gravest of grammatical errors and applaud you for trying.

So, how to start? This is the most difficult bit - once you have got off the ground it becomes easier all the time.

Here are a few tips that worked for me:

• Find someone prepared to spend a bit of time to teach you the basics.
• Get a good English/French dictionary - the bigger the better.
• Get a copy of Bescherelle - the bible of grammar. There are 3 volumes, in order of importance for you they are; conjugaison (essential), grammaire (important) & orthographie.
• Read French magazines on a subject you are interested in - Cars, Cookery, DIY etc. With a dictionary to hand, and already knowing a bit of the subject, your vocabulary will improve.
• If invited for an apéritif or dinner in a French home, don't be shy - accept! At first it won't be easy, but it is the best way to learn/improve.
• Join a club or society, it will help you meet people, and when you are conversing - even just listening - you are learning.

Good luck / Bonne Chance!