Last updated on May 28th, 2023 at 02:22 pm
A lot of our students live in a French speaking country like France, Belgium or Switzerland and have shared with us their relocation experience.
Relocating to a French speaking country, don’t make these mistakes
According to them, the main trap for these expats is that they socialize mainly with foreigners like themselves and tend to speak English more than French.
For those who work for a European or international institution (usually in Brussels or in Geneva), it is even harder because their working environment is usually in English.
For our students in France, their luck is that French people will normally rather speak to them in French than try to communicate in their broken English! But their challenge is then to be able to understand their French colleagues and to be able to actively participate in a meeting in French, and quickly respond to what is said to them with clearly expressed relevant ideas. We’ve met students who’ve been living in a French speaking country for a few years and still lack confidence when speaking in front of a group.
How to take full advantage of your relocation to a French speaking country?
There are a few ways to overcome to this problem.
1. Take every opportunity to speak French, whether you are at the hairdresser, at the boulangerie or at the butcher. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; the more you speak, the more comfortable you’ll become. Interacting with locals not only improves your French speaking skills but also exposes you to different accents and dialects. Consider joining language exchange groups to practice regularly.
2. When you meet new French people, talk to them in French! Don’t try to switch to English if you don’t understand something. Regular interactions with native speakers will expose you to different accents, intonations, and pronunciation variations. Your colleagues will value your efforts and will show more patience than you think.
3. Rehearse key sentences at home. If you have an important meeting, make sure you know how to express your point clearly.
4. Work on your pronunciation. The main frustration for these people is that they are not understood properly, it’s probably only because of small pronunciation problems that can easily be fixed. One of the best ways to improve your pronunciation is by closely listening to native French speakers. Pay attention to their intonation, rhythm, and stress patterns. Observe how they articulate sounds and imitate them as closely as possible. This process of active listening and imitation will help you internalize the natural flow and melody of the French language.
5. Immerse Yourself in French Culture. Learning a language goes beyond grammar and vocabulary – it involves understanding the culture behind it. Immerse yourself in French culture by exploring local traditions, music, art, and cuisine. Attend cultural events, visit museums and historical sites, and try traditional French dishes.
Are you relocated in a French speaking country, tell us how you feel!
Live-French.net is here to help. Check out how you can join our Live-French Club and practice your French in as group setting together with other students.
