Oh I'm definitely in the awkward camp! We don't live in France but visit a couple of times most years. My husband is 'I'll give it a go' and will speak to anyone even though it's often a bit random! I can manage in a shop and restaurant mostly, but a look of confusion from the person I'm addressing completely throws me and I start mumbling in English! I must remember that 'awkward ' is not a word in French and summon some inner confidence!
You can do it! Say it with confidence and if someone doesn’t understand, it doesn’t matter, say it again or try another way and if they correct you, you will have learned something new and grown your French 🇫🇷 No such thing as awkward!!
I am so pleased you found my article inspiring. I honestly think that language-learning is made unnecessarily academic and it gives so many people complexes! Making mistakes is how you learn a new language but it took me some time to realise that I wasn’t going to offend anyone or get in trouble if I used the wrong tense!
Oh that’s so nice to hear! I hear my accent and cringe slightly but my French friends told me that there is some charm in it, which I found so surprising when it sounds to me like I am murdering their language! I am sure you will really improve and gain confidence in Spanish as soon as you don’t mind making mistakes. The more you speak, the less mistakes you’ll end up making too!
Wow, you really did get the full immersive experience right off the bat! And your mother-in-law sounds like a gem for her approach to helping you with conversation practice.
Hi Erin, I am a bit of a linguist (terrible at maths and science though) as I am an interpreter and became a teacher of English and Dutch later on in life and was married to a Frenchman. I naturally without wanting to do so, always correct people and ask them to do so to me too. Even after 60 years (started age 8) of French, I still get corrected by my kids too. So never give up! Languages are about communicating, not about being perfect. The fun things to learn in any language are the colloquial expressions, as people will automatically presume you are fluent in that language. So, bravo à toi et continue ce bon travail! En route, Simone!
Merci beaucoup! I am always so impressed by natural linguists. It really is a wonderful skill to have. I also love learning colloquial expressions and many funny slightly naughty ones too! I am happy to be corrected now because I think I have gained enough confidence to know I will make mistakes and I want to improve my French but there was a time that I found it quite discouraging if someone corrected every other word and interrupted the flow of me attempting to communicate and it made me feel nervous and make even more mistakes. I guess it is reading the person in front of you - shy people trying out their English with me I often don’t correct them at first. I just want them to have the confidence to try and to know that I understand what they are trying to say. Next time, i gently add a few pointers. My Mother-in-law did this so perfectly for me that I try to do the same for anyone else who wants to practise their English. It is so wonderful that you can share your languages and boost people’s confidence!
In studying various languages, I have found that I must be willing to sound foolish and feel foolish in speaking that language. It is not an exam. It is communication! We must be able to laugh at ourselves.
Fantastic advice Erin. It has always amazed me that we learn French here in the UK from an early age and yet so few of us can actually hold a conversation.
I do agree! I think language-learning is approached in the wrong way. Yes, academics is useful but let's learn how to speak and communicate first rather than rote-learning irregular verbs in list after list
I’m so pleased you think so. Reassurance for learning a language is so important! I definitely benefited from the kindness of my French family and friends
Yes please, would love to know more about your foray into French. I live 'just down the road' to you and I struggle daily with awkwardness, and also rely on my husband for all the admin. . It has made me feel quite isolated at times in France and would be one of the reasons for us to return to the UK.
You are not alone. Language barrier is one thing and the cultural differences is another. I often talk about the “diaspora blues” of not always fitting into situations in France and feeling very “foreign” and yet also feeling foreign when I am back in my own country too because I am away from my own culture and not up to date with new songs in the charts etc. There are many times I have felt lonely here but removing the fear of the French language has helped me a lot. You have no need to be awkward - the more the mistakes you make because you are trying, the more you will learn and gain in confidence and start to make less mistakes! I shall definitely write about little techniques I’ve learned that really helped me boost my French. Meanwhile, you can do it!
Your diving into the language by being dumped into France strikes and their feeling of Liberte all while trying to function in a Frence hospital must have been one big shock. It is true, though, just trying opens doors. Thank goodness for your sweet Mother in law. And a healthy dose of Latin. And guts, let's be honest. I remember being in Greece at 18, finding out medical Greece and modern Greece is something completely different. One adapts. I gave up on Chinese though. Their way of naming every family member by position in the family tree is so complex. Plus, the 5 tonals makes you scramble asking for the toilet ending in the route to a street by the wrong sound. Most people around the world want to help you though.❤️
Being thrown in the deep end is a baptism of fire but I think it can be the best way to learn and a positive experience too. I am so lucky to have had such positive experiences too.
Funny you mention Chinese- my Dad was born in Hong Kong and brought up speaking Cantonese. I always found this tonal language so fascinating but it’s very hard!!
Both the same tree branch of language though Cantonese is like the German of Asian language. The elongated sound at the end of each sentence. Love it. I think it is almost impossible for Latin speakers if you are not born into the language. Hand and feet language it will be.😉
I am a former French teacher, and many of the excellent strategies you suggest in this article are ones I have shared with my students. Immersion works! Music, movies, and books are easy ways to take part in this beautiful language before stepping into “dinner table” conversation with native speakers. Developing an ear and an eye for French is so much easier in the world of social media! You can rewind the movies and reread passages in a book, but those moments of fear when your opportunity to add a witty reply are real, and they pass all too quickly. I encouraged my students to use self talk, to formulate phrases to express, in French, what they are doing or thinking as they go about their daily activities. Self talk is a one way conversation, granted, but it becomes natural and builds confidence. I still do this in preparation for our annual travels in France. With practice, over time, language acquisition skills will grow! Petit à petit, l’oiseau fait son nid.
Oh I'm definitely in the awkward camp! We don't live in France but visit a couple of times most years. My husband is 'I'll give it a go' and will speak to anyone even though it's often a bit random! I can manage in a shop and restaurant mostly, but a look of confusion from the person I'm addressing completely throws me and I start mumbling in English! I must remember that 'awkward ' is not a word in French and summon some inner confidence!
You can do it! Say it with confidence and if someone doesn’t understand, it doesn’t matter, say it again or try another way and if they correct you, you will have learned something new and grown your French 🇫🇷 No such thing as awkward!!
This was incredibly inspiring. The fact that there's no word for "awkward" in French is a revelation! Yes, please, more french lesson tales!
I am so pleased you found my article inspiring. I honestly think that language-learning is made unnecessarily academic and it gives so many people complexes! Making mistakes is how you learn a new language but it took me some time to realise that I wasn’t going to offend anyone or get in trouble if I used the wrong tense!
I first want to say that EVERYONE find a British accent charming 😆 All the time. Girl, guy, it's charming.
I live by Mexico, so a lot of Spanish is spoken here. I do speak some, but now I'm gonna worry a lot less about making perfect sentences!
Oh that’s so nice to hear! I hear my accent and cringe slightly but my French friends told me that there is some charm in it, which I found so surprising when it sounds to me like I am murdering their language! I am sure you will really improve and gain confidence in Spanish as soon as you don’t mind making mistakes. The more you speak, the less mistakes you’ll end up making too!
Yes please more French language tips! 🙏
Wow, you really did get the full immersive experience right off the bat! And your mother-in-law sounds like a gem for her approach to helping you with conversation practice.
Yes, my mother-in-law was incredibly good to me - and still is. I owe much of my French to her.
Hi Erin, I am a bit of a linguist (terrible at maths and science though) as I am an interpreter and became a teacher of English and Dutch later on in life and was married to a Frenchman. I naturally without wanting to do so, always correct people and ask them to do so to me too. Even after 60 years (started age 8) of French, I still get corrected by my kids too. So never give up! Languages are about communicating, not about being perfect. The fun things to learn in any language are the colloquial expressions, as people will automatically presume you are fluent in that language. So, bravo à toi et continue ce bon travail! En route, Simone!
Merci beaucoup! I am always so impressed by natural linguists. It really is a wonderful skill to have. I also love learning colloquial expressions and many funny slightly naughty ones too! I am happy to be corrected now because I think I have gained enough confidence to know I will make mistakes and I want to improve my French but there was a time that I found it quite discouraging if someone corrected every other word and interrupted the flow of me attempting to communicate and it made me feel nervous and make even more mistakes. I guess it is reading the person in front of you - shy people trying out their English with me I often don’t correct them at first. I just want them to have the confidence to try and to know that I understand what they are trying to say. Next time, i gently add a few pointers. My Mother-in-law did this so perfectly for me that I try to do the same for anyone else who wants to practise their English. It is so wonderful that you can share your languages and boost people’s confidence!
Fascinating piece - yes to more French tips. Your mother in law sounds wonderful
X
Thank you! She was extremely kind to me. I shall certainly share some French tips
In studying various languages, I have found that I must be willing to sound foolish and feel foolish in speaking that language. It is not an exam. It is communication! We must be able to laugh at ourselves.
I wholeheartedly agree!
Fantastic advice Erin. It has always amazed me that we learn French here in the UK from an early age and yet so few of us can actually hold a conversation.
I do agree! I think language-learning is approached in the wrong way. Yes, academics is useful but let's learn how to speak and communicate first rather than rote-learning irregular verbs in list after list
Thanks Erin, what great advice from Guillaume! Yes, would love to hear more of your learning French tips!
That’s lovely to hear!
Such wonderful wisdom!
Kind of you to say
Erin you are a delight and you write so well x
Thank you for such a lovely compliment!
Thank you! Beautifully told and full of wonderful reassurance!!
I’m so pleased you think so. Reassurance for learning a language is so important! I definitely benefited from the kindness of my French family and friends
Yes please, would love to know more about your foray into French. I live 'just down the road' to you and I struggle daily with awkwardness, and also rely on my husband for all the admin. . It has made me feel quite isolated at times in France and would be one of the reasons for us to return to the UK.
You are not alone. Language barrier is one thing and the cultural differences is another. I often talk about the “diaspora blues” of not always fitting into situations in France and feeling very “foreign” and yet also feeling foreign when I am back in my own country too because I am away from my own culture and not up to date with new songs in the charts etc. There are many times I have felt lonely here but removing the fear of the French language has helped me a lot. You have no need to be awkward - the more the mistakes you make because you are trying, the more you will learn and gain in confidence and start to make less mistakes! I shall definitely write about little techniques I’ve learned that really helped me boost my French. Meanwhile, you can do it!
Your diving into the language by being dumped into France strikes and their feeling of Liberte all while trying to function in a Frence hospital must have been one big shock. It is true, though, just trying opens doors. Thank goodness for your sweet Mother in law. And a healthy dose of Latin. And guts, let's be honest. I remember being in Greece at 18, finding out medical Greece and modern Greece is something completely different. One adapts. I gave up on Chinese though. Their way of naming every family member by position in the family tree is so complex. Plus, the 5 tonals makes you scramble asking for the toilet ending in the route to a street by the wrong sound. Most people around the world want to help you though.❤️
Being thrown in the deep end is a baptism of fire but I think it can be the best way to learn and a positive experience too. I am so lucky to have had such positive experiences too.
Funny you mention Chinese- my Dad was born in Hong Kong and brought up speaking Cantonese. I always found this tonal language so fascinating but it’s very hard!!
Both the same tree branch of language though Cantonese is like the German of Asian language. The elongated sound at the end of each sentence. Love it. I think it is almost impossible for Latin speakers if you are not born into the language. Hand and feet language it will be.😉
Hi Erin. I would be interested to know what the book series was you read in French please.
I am a former French teacher, and many of the excellent strategies you suggest in this article are ones I have shared with my students. Immersion works! Music, movies, and books are easy ways to take part in this beautiful language before stepping into “dinner table” conversation with native speakers. Developing an ear and an eye for French is so much easier in the world of social media! You can rewind the movies and reread passages in a book, but those moments of fear when your opportunity to add a witty reply are real, and they pass all too quickly. I encouraged my students to use self talk, to formulate phrases to express, in French, what they are doing or thinking as they go about their daily activities. Self talk is a one way conversation, granted, but it becomes natural and builds confidence. I still do this in preparation for our annual travels in France. With practice, over time, language acquisition skills will grow! Petit à petit, l’oiseau fait son nid.