Parlez-vous Anglais?

I like France, I like the country and the language. But living here is something very different. I still like France, I've learnt that sometimes, they do things better than we do. But the opposite is also true. Living abroad opens your eyes to differences both the good and the bad. I've been learning French since I was 11 years old. I remember starting with the simple 'Je m'appelle Geoff, j'ai vingt ans' etc etc. Then we moved. Where I moved to, they had been learning French since they were 9 years old. They were already pros at the introducing yourself business. They had already moved onto 'Je voudrais un hotdog' and that sort of stuff. All of a sudden there was a significant gap between my ability and there abilities. In Year 8 (my second year of learning French) I was in the top set.  How strange, I was in a top set with people who I was supposed to be as good as, but there was a gap.

 Then in Year 9 (a new school) came a bizarre experience where I could say very very basic stuff, and then a series of slightly more complex stuff but missing out on a few in between bits. To be honest with you, I don't think I've ever made up that gap. Yeah, I know how to use the stuff they learnt, but not in the same way. I've not had that extra 2 years of practise and so I find myself in a situation where I still make silly little mistakes.

Now, moving to France and speaking every day in their language. There are barriers to overcome. Confidence being one, I was always afraid of making mistakes. My French is decent, but you don't want a situation where you speak the language, and a French person looks at you and says 'Eh?'.  But, I've learnt that that is exactly what you need! You just need to try.

You are not always going to be able to say everything. Academic French and practical French are two very different things. I was told to keep something 'branché'.  My first reaction was 'WTF does that mean?'.  It means keep it plugged in.  So, every when living here, you are going to struggle. Fact.  (Future year abroaders, get ready for this.  You're not going to know things, but not knowing things is actually how you learn things).

The biggest thing I've learnt though is that living totally in French is out of the question.  I tried not phoning home for a while at the start of the year. But then, one day I broke. My mum said to me 'Why did you phone, it'll cost a fortune?'.  My answer: 'I don't even care, I just need to speak English to someone'.  That's going to happen. It's nothing to be ashamed of. You can't turn your back on your mother tongue. I read BBC News more than I read French news. Just because you are abroad, doesn't mean you turn your back on the UK. Just take that chance to embrace a new culture as well as your own.

Have a good week folks! 

Reflecting on the first three months

How lucky am I, to visit places like this when ever I want

Through a year abroad, we gain not just a greater knowledge of the language in which we study but we also gain a greater acceptance of the world. This is certainly true in my case. I will admit to grumbling about French ways of doing things during my first three months abroad. But since I've got back, I've also found myself saying 'Actually, the French do have that spot on'. There is no right or wrong way of doing something, we are told that everyone is different, this is also true for countries. Sometimes, as a people, the British are not tolerant of other nations. We see our ways of doing things, and everything else is wrong. We speak English, the most widely spoken language of the world, therefore we do not need to learn any other languages. See what I mean? So, acceptance of different cultures is a big thing that I have learnt.

I think back to September, a few days before I leave. I like to think that this blog has mainly been positive about the year. But it has not always been like that, sitting in the port of Dover, I was dreading leaving. I was to go, live in a studio apartment all alone. Throughout my life, I've always been surrounded by people. When I moved to university halls, I knew that I'd not really be 'alone'. This time though, totally alone. I arrived, got into my apartment. My Parents stayed for two nights, but then they left. I was alone, in a foreign country until Christmas. However, early that week I put a plea on the assistants page on facebook if anyone wanted to meet up in Paris. A response! On the Wednesday that week I met Kirsti. Then on the Friday, we had a picnic in the Parc Buttes Chaumont where I met lots of other assistants. Then again the next day, and the next etc etc. Basically, a friendship group was formed. I was not alone, I know I wasn't the only one who thought they would be alone. A number of great days/nights would be spent with these people, I know I probably wouldn't have enjoyed my time in Paris without them. In short, the reason I am enjoying my year abroad is because of them; and so a huge, massive THANK YOU goes to them. Without friends, I'd have been miserable in France, can't wait to see them again. I've also met up with University friends which has again been great. Thank you goes to you as well.

Great friends are hard to come by, but this bunch are amazing. It's missing Max and Hayley, downside. But I love this photo!

The work itself has been pretty simple mostly. Teaching English to people roughly my age is not the hardest job in the world if you teach them things that interest you and them equally. I like showing them movie clips and discussing them. Has my French improved? Almost certainly, I don't speak it as much as I want to, and perhaps this will become part of my new years resolutions. But I certainly understand more, when I'm being spoken to and watching television. I had a conversation with somebody recently, doing a study placement you learn academic French, doing an assistantship you learn the french the kids speak, but also the stuff printed on forms.

The first three months for me have more being about settling in, the next four months (and maybe even more), I would like to practise some French and visiting the sights and sounds of the city, but also of France itself. When I found out I was in the Parisian region, I wanted to travel a bit. Next term, even if it is just two or three times I hope to actually do that. I've enjoyed the experiences, and am really thankful to friends for making it an amazing experience.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!