L'aura de Laura
Friday May 16, 2008
Bonjour les abonnés. Après plus de deux mois en France, je continue à chercher des moyens à utiliser mon français, et j'ai l'impression de pédaler dans la choucroute. L'atelier de céramiques n'est qu'une fois par semaine et on ne parle pas beaucoup. Même chose pour les cours de t'ai-chi. Il n'y a pas d'Alliance française à Hyères, ni d'autres groupes de conversation. (Il y en a à Marseille et à Nice, mais nous n'avons pas de voiture.) Sur le conseil d'un ami, je suis devenue membre de quelques associations - rien ne semble se passer. Je regarde des films et la télé, mais je ne parle pas autant de français que je veux. C'est dommage de vivre enfin en France sans trouver les moyens de m'immerger dans la langue.
English translation
English translation
Comments
Bonjour! J’aime tellement votre site! Je vien de lire votre commentaire concernant ne pas avoir l’opportunité d’utiliser la langue EN FRANCE. Peut-être vous pourriez chercher une petite église évangéliste où vous pourriez faire des amis. Des fois, ils se réunissent chez un de leurs membres, mais c’est un bon moyen de faire des amis. Il y a des gens “normaux” qui sont chrétiens
Hi Laura, that sounds really tough! Are there any debating clubs by any chance? Or amateur theatricals? How about a short term translating job at Cannes Film festival (now that could be cool). Or better still, you could maybe look after someone’s gite when the manager wants to go on holiday for a month and talk to all the guests (visas permitting). Or stay in a gite somewhere perhaps,where everyone talks at breakfast? Or block parties for your appartment neighbours. Maybe you could cycle to Toulon?
Have you considered a part time job, perhaps sales clerk in a book store or librarian. Volunteer to teach Spanish the high school. Start a travel advisory service. Offer free family counseling. Take a soapbox to the park and defend American foreign policy. :>)
Intéressants, vos expériences de trouver des moyens et occasions de pratiquer la langue française. Peut-être pouvez-vous chercher un emploi à mi-temps dans les services de clients où vous pourriez avoir beaucoup de contacts avec les gens et donc l’occasion de parler français plus que vous ne l’avez maintenant.
-Andrew
Alors, Laura, j’ai prendu ma retraite comme professeur d’anglais et francais l’annee derniere et voudrais aller en France pour enseigner l’anglais dans l’avenir–il y a des opportunites pour ca? (pardonez moi,mais je n’ai pas l’access aux accents dans l’ordinateur)
That’s strange. Maybe go closer to Paris where they speak french. Do they have public transportation?
Can you sing at all? I have joined a singing group when living abroad and made many friends that way. I invited the whole alto section to my house, I also called them with questions.
In our university town, many international students learn English by getting involved in church activity. You may consider that even if you are not religious.
This is the way of life in many beach resort towns. Life can be really slow motion for those who are used to being active. You might try offering assistance to the local mairies in their French language program for foreigners. French law requires all new registered foreign residents in France to take French language courses. These are usually offered by local mairies or the préfecture. I hope this helps.
Bonne chance,
Joanne
I have faith; it’s only a matter of time. Have you considered volunteering. Can you imagine how much an elderly shut-in would enjoy weekly visits to just sit and talk avec l’americaine! Bonne chance.
There is nothing unusual regarding not finding french speaking “groups” in France. The french, in general, have never been fans of starting/participating in clubs like americains are so fond of, it’s not in their culture. The exception could be in a “club sportif” of some sort, maybe. Good luck !
Interesting post, Laura, but I’m not surprised. I spoke with the proprietor of a gite near Perpignan who told me his french had actually regressed since moving to France. Outside cities, one can imagine that it can be quite difficult to find opportunities to speak French, especially with different cultural concepts of privacy that exist in France, etc. I agree with the above comments that the trick is to find points of interaction with the people and culture. Doesn’t mean you have to join a cult! Have you considered cooking classes? There is an active slam poetry movement in France. Readings usually take place in bars or cultural centers, and the audience very much participates with plenty of discussion afterwards (autour de bouteilles, bien sur!). Also, if I was in your situation, I might try and start a writing project that would involve interviewing local people. I’m looking forward to reading other suggestions and your future posts. You’re not one to give up, I’m sure!
Laura,
Have you considered getting yourself arrested for some minor offense? That way you would get to speak to a judge, your avocat, other people in the same cell and maybe even weekly meetings with a parole officer! Much practice in French for the price of a (perhaps) speeding ticket. But really, I am sure you will make contact with people over time. I am interested in knowing if the average French person is friendly and open to discussion with a stranger or do they tend to be very private? You have a very pleasing personality (it comes through in your writing) so I think in time you will expand your circle of friends.
Here in rural Brittany we’ve started a Franco-Britannique conversation class. At our first session, about 40 people turned up, half of them French speakers. We advertised well, and we are in a friendly village.
Try posting ads for English/French conversation exchange, especially around schools.
Je crains que vous appreniez assez vite qu’en règle générale, les français ne sont pas parmi les plus accueillants du monde même si vous aviez eu cette impression lors de vos premiers voyages. Très difficile à pénétrer leurs bandes d’amis et famille d’autant plus que vous venez d’une culture complètement opposée à le leurs. Beaucoup plus facile dans les plus grandes villes mais même celles-ci peuvent être plutôt fermées. Des conseils d’un Américain y ayant vécu 14 ans, ne comptez pas passez plus que deux ans en France surtout sans travail intéressant. Courage.
Je suis sur que vous avez essaye ELFCA. Je sais que c’est cher mais les profs sont bons et il tout a fait vaut la peine (a mon avis). Meme les profs vous donnent( en suggestions) les autres occasions ou vous pouvez parler le francais hors de la classe. Au moins ils l’ont fait quand j’ai etudie la…il y a quelques annees (Demandez a Coralie ou vous pouvez monter a cheval!). La seul chose est que je ne sais pas est s’ils ont une classe a votre niveau qui est si eleve. Mais comme j’ai dit…Cela vaut la peine.
Bon courage,
Becky
Genial, j’apprend Tai Chi et je fais toujours du Tai Chi. Heuresment, j’ai trouve
Quelqu’un le faire. Tai chi se fait calmer particulierement dans le nature.Dites-moi plus par le en France.
Bonjour everyone, and thanks for all of your suggestions. Believe it or not, I’ve tried many of them, and considered most of the rest. A job is out, for a couple of reasons: I’m American, and it’s extremely difficult for Americans to get permission to work. Besides that, I already work full time (on this site and others), so I don’t have 20+ free hours a week to devote to work (paid or otherwise).
Joanne - I’m interested in your comment “French law requires all new registered foreign residents in France to take French language courses.” I’ve never heard that - do you have any info about it?
Michael - J’entends souvent des commentaires comme le vôtre, mais je ne trouve pas qu’ils soient justes. Les Français que je recontre sont presque toujours accueuillants (même s’ils le sont un peu moins que les Marocains ou les Américains). Mon problème vient plutôt du fait que je suis assez timide et j’ai des difficultés à faire des amis n’importe où.
Laura K. Lawless
Learn French at About
You are timid???? I doubt that very much. Don’t you realize that your traveling, learning, and living in foreign countries takes a personality that is the exact opposite of timid? You are creating life experiences that very few people are brave enough to attempt. I suspect that your intellect and interests are far superior to those of that you are meeting in a rather small French villa, and this could explain why you cannot connect with them. They might be friendly and truly interested to help you, but they are not the type (generalization) that can take the friendship that much further than that. If you find differently, bravo.
There are lots of good ideas, Laura - I was also going to suggest perhaps offering to teach languages - especially to children, as you then get to meet parents, as well! Joining a choir or similar society would also be good and, of course, there are the great discussions one can have in the better sort of butchers, greengrocers and bakers . A final thought - living where you do, are there any societies promoting Occitane/ Occitanie? That might be the source of some very lively discussions!
Good luck - one day, suddenly the right opportunity will appear!
Carol
Bonjour Laura,
I seem to remember you mentioning having a child; has she made any new friends by now? If so, have you considered inviting her friends and their parents to a picnic or some other outdoor party? Sorry, it’s the only suggestion I can think of at this time.
Bonne chance!
Donna
Joanne - Cette information est inexacte! En effet, la loi sur l’immigration d’octobre 2007 concerne le regroupement familial des résidents étrangers;les tests et les cours de langue française minimalistes sont organisés dans le pays ou se trouve la famille du résident étranger.
Laura - Je ne sais pas si l’Acceuil de France a une antenne à Hyères, mais c’est un excellent endroit pour les nouveaux arrivants dans une ville. Cette piste est excellente pour faire des rencontres. Mais il faudrait attendre septembre.
Il est vrai que sans enfant, tout est beaucoup plus difficile à plus forte raison si l’on travaille à domicile. Deux mois, c’est un laps de temps très court.Patience, les beaux jours sont là et sur la plage, il y aura des nombreuses occasions de t’immerGer dans la langue française. Même si à Hyères, c’est un français bien particulier que l’on parle…
Christa
I wish you luck in France and I think your website and newsletter are excellent. Keep up the good work.
Have you thought about you forming an English/French association in your immediate area? Advertise it for English (& American)people wanting to improve their french and french people wanting to improve their english.
Try to get even numbers. Set a time and a venue (or activity) each week. (Cafe, picnic, walk, barbeque, card games, board games, quizzes, seaside?) Only rules first half all english to be spoken, next half all french. Nothing too formal. It may lead to finding long term friends.
Regards
Chris
For Lupita Gonzalez on using French accents:
http://french.about.com/library/bl_faq_accents.htm
If you were in other country try to be hospitable , articulate, friendly and smart with the culture, customes and traditions of other counries you are leaving. The Filipinos get easily adopted with the language , the people and culture and even the laws!!! We sometimes get easily adopted with the songs , dances, muisc and movies and plays. For me i enjoyed some of the best films French Directors actors, writers and actresses when their is avialble film showing during the French Spring organized by the french Emabassy in manila. It’s free and you can meet other deleagtes and long lost friends.
When i was working with the Poste Expansion economique A manille - amabassade De France a aux philippines - Service Commercial et economique, way back 1988-1996 i have a great fond with the French Commercial attche or Expat during my services and after the office hour. I missed my friend, Denise Vidal, Michele Yu and Madame Esturco. At first, i was in state of labyrith how to start the conversation with them but i decided to learned and read some of the articles, literature, fashion and films of French Culture. I learned to adopt step by step and giving them also inputs on the hlippines tradition. cultures and ideas.
Je présume que vous deviez avoir la possibilité de regrouper quelques gens par votre rubrique. Style: aux Intéressés qui veuillent apprendre et pratiquer la langue française: Tous les premiers jeudis du mois nous nous rencontrons à 20 heures au Café du Marché”
Alors les choses à faire: contactez un café et “spread the word”
Cordialement,
Claude ALFF
Laura - il faut trouver un cafe ou tu pourrais frequenter. La, tu y va le meme jour, a la meme heure, chaque semaine, et tu rencontras des gens. Tu pourrais faire pareil dans un bar - il faut sortir!
J’avais des problemes pareils quand j’habitais la France, mais il faut etre patiente - les francais sont plus timides que les americains, (ou meme les costaricains!)
bonne chance!
Bonjour Laura,
Je ne lis votre commentaire que maintenant. Il me semble que le verbe “s’immerser” dans la dernière phrase n’existe pas en français et que vous auriez du utiliser le verbe “s’immerger”.
Bravo pour ce site et pour vos cours qui sont fantastiques, et bon courage pour l’acclimatation à la vie française.
Bonjour Laura,
Comme vous vous en doutez certainement, un des facteurs les plus importants de “sociabilisation” est … les enfants. En fait, je ne crois pas que votre nationalité soit un obstacle. Au contraire car, sauf erreur de ma part, les français ont de la sympathie pour les américains qui parlent leur langue. D’autant quand il s’agit d’une belle et souriante jeune femme comme vous
Bien évidemment, vous trouverez des contre-exemples. Il est plus facile de rentrer en contact avec les locaux à travers la scolarité des enfants. Cela est vrai aussi pour des français qui déménagent. On dit qu’en France, plus on va vers le Nord, plus les gens sont hospitaliers. Je crains qu’il s’agisse d’une idée préconçue mais qui sait ?
Bon courage.
Bien à vous,
Tobie
Peut-être vous pouvez donner votre temps à un organization que vous aimez comme un bénévole. C’est un bon façon de rencontrer des amis et de parler français et de faire quelque chose bonne.
We’ve been living in a small village south of Toulouse for several years now and have managed to find some opportunties to speak everyday French with people who live here. It’s a slow process though, even for French people who come new into an area. You have already joined some clubs which will help and if they are an Association in our area around June time they have an Assemblie Generale, where a new committee (bureau) is elected. Just going to the meeting is interesting, you might like to volunteer to be on the committee - they usually need a President, Secretary and Treasurer. Also when the village does an activity like Moules Frites where everyone eats together in the Salle Polyvalente or outside under the Halle in fine weather, often people from a club take a table together. You might ask at a club night if anyone is doing this when an activity is advertised or even try to make up a group yourself. We have also got on the list for the vernisages (varnishings)which are held they day before a new exhibition is held in the Office de Tourisme or the Town Hall. This is basically “rent a crowd” to listen to a village notable sing the praises of the artist(s) and is followed by drinks and snacks. Frequent attendances at these vernisages allow you to be well known in town and give you something to talk about when you meet people in the street. Also on market day we go and have a coffee in the same cafe every week and have gradually been joined at our table by people we have met at other activities. Choose a popular cafe and people will feel ok joining your table when there isn’t room anywhere else. You could even ask at the club(s) you have joined where the popular cafe is. We have two and our group will only go to the other cafe when the popular one is on holiday. I’m sure I don’t need to say that you must say bonjour to everyone who looks remotely familiar when you see them in the street or supermarket. This is part of becoming part of the regular scene. Personally I only kiss people who make the motion towards me but I have noticed it takes many months of “bonjouring” before this happens. Good luck and don’t take it personally if you don’t get to talk to people from the area in a short period of time. I have even had to spell out the above advice to French people settling in the area after moving down from Toulouse and they have reported back that it works. The final thing of prime importance is to speak French when the majority of the group are French speaking. It’s no use being part of a larger French-speaking group of people and forming a small English-speaking island in the middle. I’ve given up worrying about accent or grammar and am steadily improving simply because I keep speaking and listening to the people around. I apologise from time to time but people generally say it doen’t matter and they wish they could speak English as well as I can speak French.