On Parle Francais

It has officially been six months since we arrived in France. It seemed time to update everyone on the state of the language.  In other words, how is our French going?  It's been a different experience so far for each of us.

As you know from previous posts it has been hardest for the girls as they've been immersed in the French language all day. BUT after 5 months of French school, they are officially speaking French! Sure, they still search for words on occasion but seem to have enough vocabulary now that they can find the words to say what they want to say. The first time I heard them play with their friends in French, I was astounded. For me it seemed like all of a sudden it was there. They could speak it. When their friends' parents told me they were not only speaking to their friends in French but the parents too, I was ecstatic. And then the teachers confirmed that they were speaking to them in French too and participating more in the classroom.  Yahoo!!  In some ways it very much feels like mission accomplished. So in case you were wondering how long it takes to learn a language if you immerse your kids in a new culture? In our case, 5 months!!

For Marc, his French has gotten a lot more natural. Although he is French and was born and raised here, after living in the U.S. for 25 years and only speaking French on the phone with his family once every week or two he had lost quite a bit. Now of course he can still get by fine, but at first, most people thought he was American with a really good French. Now his French is back to speed but his writing is still a bit rusty; that's taking longer to come back.

For me, the progress has been slower. Not that it's not happening, it is, but much slower than for the girls. The reality is I spend all day working in English and speaking to Marc and the girls in English. We had considered switching to French at home but the girls put up a huge protest, arguing that they have to listen in and speak in French all day and when they get home, they need a break. Okay, fair point. So, we never made the switch at home. There are some days when the only French I hear is from the radio. And then of course there are other days, when we're out and about, and I'm surrounded by French. My vocabulary is slowly expanding and my confidence is starting to grow when I'm speaking to Marc's parents or even just going shopping on my own. At dinner parties it varies. At some parties there is only French being spoken and my skills are put to the test. And then on other occasions we're speaking English most of the time. Several of the families we've befriended who have children at the girls' school speak English really well. So in all honesty I get to "cheat" quite a bit.

There are a couple of things though that I'm sticking with and do feel like they are both helping with my progress.

1. Every Monday I go to a yoga class that is all in French and I carpool with a woman where we only speak French together.
2. Every morning I get on Babbel (on the computer or phone) for at least 30 minutes and am working through their lessons. Over the years I've used various language learning tools (Rosetta Stone, CDs in the car, and even classes at the local community college). I don't think any have been as good as Babbel. Definitely look into it, if you're trying to learn another language.

I'm not sure how long it would take to really feel 100% fluent. I've heard various lengths depending on who I speak to. Most people though seem to think around a couple of years. I'm sure this would go faster the more you force yourself to speak the new language. And I definitely think that if I was trying to work in French that that would really help speed things along. But for now, that's where we are. And honestly I'm just so happy the girls are picking it up and finally able to really speak with their friends and family in French!