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Paris: Is it really that bad? | ||
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 Language Learning Forum : Immersion, Schools & Certificates |  | |
| janalisa Triglot Senior Member France janafadness.com/blog Joined 6892 days ago 284 posts - 466 votes  Speaks: English*, French, Japanese Studies: Russian, Norwegian | Message 1 of 16 08 November 2009 at 2:28am | IP Logged |
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I'm not entirely sure which room I should post this in, so forgive me if it's in the wrong place.
I'm probably going to spend a year in France as an "au pair" starting next summer, but I'm having trouble deciding where in France I should try to go. I've never been to France before, but I've heard that French learners should avoid Paris because it's full of tourists and people who are quick to switch to English at the slightest trace of an accent. I've also heard that the south of France should be avoided, for similar reasons, and also because of the non-standard accent spoken there. However, not surprisingly, most of the au pair agencies I've found are based either in Paris or the south of France. And I'm wondering if going to one of these areas would really be that disadvantageous for my study of French, especially since there are a few potential advantages I can think of for both places. In Paris I could enjoy all the conveniences of a big city, and would probably also have access to a wider variety of resources for learning not only French, but other languages as well. (I definitely want to start on another language while in France, though I'm not sure which one yet.) The abundance of tourists could actually be a good thing in the sense that I could find people to practice my other languages with. I also like the idea of going to the south of France because of the warm weather (I don't do so well in the cold), and because it's just a beautiful area. I also like that it's closer to Spain and Italy, since I'm thinking about learning either Spanish or Italian while I'm there. I'm not so sure if I'd be able to find Japanese or Thai people there, though... I should also mention that, though my French is far from perfect, I already have basic fluency, and since I plan to study it actively for the next several months, I expect to be at advanced fluency before even arriving in France. I imagine being proficient in French to a certain level would make it easier to keep people from switching to English. (French is the language I took in high school and college and have neglected ever since, though I always have loved the language and planned on "finishing" it someday.) At any rate, I won't be going as a tourist, but will be staying with a host family and taking French classes. One should think I'll have plenty of opportunities to speak French. Well, as you can probably tell I'm already sort of leaning towards one of these two locations. But does anyone think this would be a bad decision? Of the two locations in question, which do you think would be better for someone in my situation? Has anyone had the experience of studying French in Paris or the south of France? And has anyone gone to France as an au pair? Your opinions would be greatly appreciated! 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| administrator Hexaglot Forum Admin Switzerland FXcuisine.com Joined 7378 days ago 3094 posts - 2987 votes 12 sounds Speaks: French*, EnglishC2, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian Personal Language Map | Message 2 of 16 08 November 2009 at 8:30am | IP Logged |
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Janalisa, I have moved this post to the Immersion room where it belongs.
You ask very sensible questions, and I'll give you my idea as a person who has travelled to these areas many times but as a native French speaker. The French are unlikely to switch to English if they detect a beginner in French - the country swarms with foreigners, tourists or immigrants, and people can be rather rude in imposing their French. So, provided you are patient and not easily offended if you detect impatience at the shop when people can't really undestand what you are saying, you will be just fine both in Paris and in Provence. Despite its charms, Provence is made of many small villages and a few beautiful towns. Unless you can drive and have access to a car, you will have many more opportunities to see interesting things on your own if you stay with a family in a town (Orange, Arles, Cannes, Marseilles, Nice, etc...) or in Paris. If staying in Paris, investigate which arrondissement you will stay in. Most are very pleasant, a handful are really posh (16ème, 8ème) but a couple like the 18ème can become very scary in some parts. Paris will definitely offer way more things that you can see on your own - the Subway is cheap and really goes everywhere, and there is no shortage of museum, all with student discounts. Have fun! 4 persons have voted this message useful | |
| janalisa Triglot Senior Member France janafadness.com/blog Joined 6892 days ago 284 posts - 466 votes Speaks: English*, French, Japanese Studies: Russian, Norwegian | Message 3 of 16 08 November 2009 at 8:50am | IP Logged |
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Thank you very much for the kind reply, administrator.
I have a US driver's license, so I can drive though I only have a couple years experience driving altogether (it's been on and off as I've been in and out of the US), and only with automatic transmission. But I hear that almost everyone in France drives a stick shift. So I'm actually a little uneasy about the idea of driving in France, and would be much more comfortable if I could rely on public transportation. I think I could learn to drive a stick shift if I had to, but still... The administrator's reply has just about convinced me to go for Paris... But are there any other opinions? 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| Captain Haddock Diglot Senior Member Japan kanjicabinet.tumblr. Joined 6770 days ago 2282 posts - 2814 votes Speaks: English*, Japanese Studies: French, Korean, Ancient Greek | Message 4 of 16 08 November 2009 at 9:26am | IP Logged |
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I don't see how you could pass up the chance to live in a city of culture and intrigue like Paris.
1 person has voted this message useful | |
| administrator Hexaglot Forum Admin Switzerland FXcuisine.com Joined 7378 days ago 3094 posts - 2987 votes 12 sounds Speaks: French*, EnglishC2, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian Personal Language Map | Message 5 of 16 08 November 2009 at 9:40am | IP Logged |
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Janalisa, it would probably be illegal for you to drive in France with a automatic-only driving license and, more to the point, the family would probably not let you use their car, if only for insurance reason. So definitely, Paris, or a town in Provence, but no out-of-the-way villa.
1 person has voted this message useful | |
| janalisa Triglot Senior Member France janafadness.com/blog Joined 6892 days ago 284 posts - 466 votes Speaks: English*, French, Japanese Studies: Russian, Norwegian | Message 6 of 16 08 November 2009 at 9:52am | IP Logged |
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Oh, so do French driver's licenses specify which type(s) of transmission the driver is able to use? Such a distinction doesn't exist for US licenses, and I had the impression I'd be able to drive in France with an international driver's license (which can be easily obtained for around $30 US). Some of the information I read on au pair agency sites also suggested that many families want their au pair to drive, to take kids to and from school and such. But it sounds like the situation might be more complicated than I thought.
1 person has voted this message useful | |
| Splog Diglot Senior Member Czech Republic anthonylauder.c Joined 5671 days ago 1062 posts - 3263 votes Speaks: English*, Czech Studies: Mandarin | Message 7 of 16 08 November 2009 at 10:12am | IP Logged |
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You are able to use a US drivers license and International driver's license for 90 days in France, before you must relinquish it and get a French one instead.
Depending on which state your US license is from this may be a simple matter of surrendering your US license and getting a French one in return. If your license is not from one the 14 US states which have such an exchange agreement with France, or you do not wish to lose your US license, then after 90 days you will be required to take the French driving test (both written and practical) and get a French license. More here: Driving in France with a US license 3 persons have voted this message useful | |
| janalisa Triglot Senior Member France janafadness.com/blog Joined 6892 days ago 284 posts - 466 votes Speaks: English*, French, Japanese Studies: Russian, Norwegian | Message 8 of 16 08 November 2009 at 12:23pm | IP Logged |
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Thank you for that information, Splog.
Hm... I'm not sure if I'd want to surrender my US license. Although I don't plan on living in the US again long-term, it's nice to have it because it allows me to get an international license whenever I need it. But anyway, driving in France sounds like a pain in the neck. I think I'd rather just avoid it if all possible. Besides, I rather like public transportation. You can sit and read without having to pay attention to the road. So... Paris it is? On one hand I think it must be the tourist capital of the world for a reason, but on the other hand I can't help but wonder if Paris is overrated. I guess I can't really know without going there myself, though. In any case, it's definitely on my list of places to visit before I die. Oh dear, I can see myself getting all starry-eyed already... Captain Haddock, have you ever been to Paris? 1 person has voted this message useful |
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