Most foreigners start with this phrase. "Do you speak English?" Often, they are shocked by the quick response of "non!". Well, if they didn't speak English, they wouldn't know how to answer the question correct? The first rule of the trade here in the City of Lights is to try your best to speak French, even though speaking French to you means repeating phrases out of a guidebook. The French people like seeing this, foreigners struggling so hard to speak their language, and you'd be surprise to hear them *finally* making an effort to speak English!
Not everyone is as anti-English speaking as I make them seem to be. There is a growing number of Bobos (short for Bourgeois Bohemian) who are young international Parisians with open ideas of mixed marriages and very influenced by American ideals. Many salespeople in department stores and luxury stores are also more than happy to practice their English with you.
Not everyone is as anti-English speaking as I make them seem to be. There is a growing number of Bobos (short for Bourgeois Bohemian) who are young international Parisians with open ideas of mixed marriages and very influenced by American ideals. Many salespeople in department stores and luxury stores are also more than happy to practice their English with you.
wow.are you fluent in french?
ReplyDeletefluent enough!
ReplyDeletehow long did it take you to be able to communicate in french fluently?
ReplyDeletehummm let's see.. I was comfortable enough to speak within family by 6 months, and in public by about 9 months... now 2 years later I speak as I wish, even though I know I make minor grammar mistakes and sometimes stutter when thinking of a word... best secret is to not be afraid of making mistakes! and not take it personally when people correct you...
ReplyDeleteI'm still shy speaking in public hehe. How was the class that you took at alliance francais any good?
ReplyDeleteI thought it was great. Alliance will make you speak and interact a lot more than the classes at Sorbonne. If you are the type that is studious and need to be forced to study, I think Sorbonne would be better. But I LOVED Alliance, the teachers are amazing and I've made many friends there..
ReplyDeleteAnd OH you must speak in public! Think about this, no matter who you speak to their English is probably worst than your French.. Bon courage!!
ReplyDeleteOk I will check again on classes later. Sorbonne is quite expensive.my friends also suggested alliance. Abt speaking in public, i know sometimes if you speak broken French, they will speak english to u ;)
ReplyDeleteAlliance is quite expensive too, for the intensive lessons, it costs about €550++ if I'm not mistaken.. but dunno how much Sorbonne costs.. Yeah they do like to practice their English too I find, if they are in a good mood :p
ReplyDeleteThis year they have increased their fees, I guessed. First I have to reconfirm how long am I going to be here.before committing to these classes.
ReplyDeleteNice information, valuable and excellent design, as share good stuff with good ideas and concepts, lots of great information and inspiration, both of which I need, thanks to offer such a helpful information here. cours anglais entreprise lyon
ReplyDelete