France is the world leader in tourism and lots of people would agree that it is a most attractive country. But vacations can be very different from actually residing somewhere. However, although money is still a difficult area for many of us, it doesn’t seem to have stopped people leaving the U.K. to experience living in France.

The English person’s most easily accessible part of “abroad”, France is a truly beautiful country with very varied landscapes and cultures. It’s sometimes referred to as being like the England of the’50′s, but this isn’t the whole story. It’s now a very modern country with its huge telecommunications industry and wide internet usage.

And the language? Well, of course there’s been a tradition of learning French in British schools. While this has produced some real lovers of the French language, many British people still almost boast of a national weakness in foreign language learning.

Others believe that they will be visited by an ability to speak French once they live amongst the French. In fact some French people also believe it and this can give rise to many difficulties for English speaking ex-patriots in France. I find it very frustrating that some French people quite clearly believe that I’m rather stupid in every aspect of life because I don’t speak perfect French! Of course, these are usually people who have never had to learn any foreign language.

It’s vital to make plans to learn to communicate in French. This isn’t about learning verb conjugations or lists of prepositions; it’s about understanding and using everyday vocabulary and phrases. The more you learn of these and some of the “etiquette” of France (such as greetings as you enter a shop, etc), the more confident you’ll become about learning and using others. Confidence is important and enables you to take some risks and to improve constantly. It will certainly get a good reception from the French who applaud attempts to learn their language.

And it’s this attitude that is important in making a success of living in France.

It’s difficult to let go of inhibitions and to try really using French, but it is an important factor in improving your skills. So think about this when planning your language work.

For some people this isn’t an issue and they will try, try and try again to make themselves understood by gestures, words and other means. They will probably get a French lesson in return as the other person tells them the French words for what they want.

For those who don’t have this self-confidence, it may be a case of forcing yourself on one occasion and then afterwards reflecting on the situation and what you learned from it. You then know whether to repeat the method next time or to slightly change it. It helps if you have an important reason for an exchange in French. When I arrived here my two children had to go to collge and I knew I (who previously on holidays in France had got the children to ask for things in shops) had to force myself for their sakes, to prepare for parents’ nights.

Sometimes the reactions you get will not be what you’d hoped for, but we all (including the French) have our off days and you shouldn’t let it upset you. Look forward rather than backward and just be more determined for the next time.

With your good intentions and willingness to work, what tools are available to help you improve your French?

New language learning methods arrive as new technology develops and old favourites still remain. Some examples: – selecting an individual telephone tutor; following one of the freely available on-line courses (try Radio France Internationale or the BBC), or buying a well-established tape or CD or video programme.

It’s quite usual to employ a personal teacher to come to your home to help with a subject like French – a good option if you prefer not to start in group classes which are also available in many places.

Don’t forget to consider how you learn best when deciding on ways to make progress. Methods that suit your individual personality are likely to be more successful.

Whatever methods you use, if you are determined to progress, you will do so. Living in France will become an even more enjoyable experience.

French Life and the joys of living in France have been featured in magazine articles the world over. To find out more of Living in France take a look at Amanda Lawrence’s new website at www.frenchvie.com. Lots of real life stories and anecdotes from the Quercy. It takes you right there – you’ll never want to leave. Don’t forget to register for her free newsletter. Author of White Stone Black Wine.

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