My FREnch story
mon histoire française
Be inspired by these Lingua Franca students and their stories.
I started studying French to keep my old brain active and have a challenge. I learnt a little French at school, many years ago‚ and it seemed logical to build on that.
No one in my family speaks another language, so I feel very pleased with myself!
As a child, my father worked for Qantas and we travelled extensively, but never to Europe. I hated travelling and vowed and declared I would never travel overseas again. But, learning French has changed my mind completely and now I have travelled to France using my basic French to great effect. I have the most beautiful friends in the Pyrenees, I am applying for Irish citizenship and would love to live in France one day for a period to experience the culture, beauty and language, not to mention the food and wine! I don't recognise myself and learning French, especially at Lingua Franca with the best teachers, has been transformative.
The standout moment speaking French was in France and is twofold: I asked a woman with a pram getting on a train from Paris to Bordeaux if I could help her and she said she was ok, but appreciated my offer (she recognised I was Australian!) and then when I realised we were on the wrong train going to Versailles and I asked for directions, successfully.
I try and do a couple of hours each week at least, and now doing the DELF I study on Sunday morning with my fellow student. So that's on top of 2 hours of lessons in each semester. Thinking about it, I should be better than I am, so no reflection on my teachers!
Speaking French makes me feel good about myself, clever, and it lets me appreciate how clever people are who are multilingual.
And as a bonus, I have made a whole host of new and wonderful friends. Merci beaucoup!
Editor's note: Clinton may well have left the best part of his story out. A true romantic, he and his beautiful wife Cathie, married 30 years, renewed their vows in a tiny church just outside of Pau in south-west France last year. Une histoire qui touche le cœur...*
*A story that touches the heart.
Why did you really start learning French?
My sister-in-law sparked my interest. Bronwen had glowing reports of how Lingua Franca approaches learning a foreign language. Like many, I had studied French in high school, but didn't progress past year 10. I was always interested in learning another language and studied Japanese during my first year at university (again it didn't go further). In early 2017, my interest peaked again after trying to find an interest outside of work that would help achieve some work-life balance, and meet new people who had common interests. After speaking with my sister-in-law and hearing her fantastic experiences I knew I wanted to start the French language journey again and was convinced Lingua Franca would be the best place. I was right, actually the whole experience has exceeded expectations. The team at Lingua Franca is outstanding, a special shout-out to my teacher Katrina, who is truly talented in terms of adult learning methods and making the whole experience fun and rewarding.
What was it like learning a foreign language?
During my first few lessons I was quite introverted, worried about pronouncing words incorrectly or just getting everything wrong, butchering the French language and starting an international incident. As I became more comfortable and got to know my teacher and fellow students I just let the inhibitions go and started to really immerse myself in the whole experience. Being with people who are just willing to have a go and have a passion for learning keeps me motivated. I am now doing two lessons/week, my usual language class on Tuesday nights and studying for DELF A1 (first level diploma) on Tuesday mornings. I can't believe how much I have improved in just 18 months, it makes all the mistakes (some very embarrassing, yet funny ones) worthwhile.
How often do you use French?
I have struck up a great friendship with one of my fellow students, and each time we message we always include phrases in French. I try to use it everyday, whether I am listening to the French news, doing my homework, flicking through the dictionary (what a nerd!), or messaging my friend.
As a Brisbanite/Brisbanian, what does it mean to you to speak French here in Brisbane?
I am still hesitant about going into the big, wide world to use my language skills, but when I am ready I know that learning French and being able to use it in everyday life will be quite liberating and open up a new world.
As English is such a global language, wherever you go in the world, there is surely someone who speaks at least a few words of English. Why then, are you learning French? What does it bring you?
There are so many countries where I could use my new skills. I think it is important, and very respectful if you speak (or try to) in that country's native language. My workplace is also diverse, and there are many native French speakers, already we are sharing some 'inside' jokes, it makes my day at work even more enjoyable than it already is. Learning French has enabled me to find common ground with some of my work colleagues, it has actually been the ice-breaker when I first meet them.
All-in-all, I'm loving the whole experience. Thanks to the Lingua Franca team, and the fantastic students I've met (some of whom I can genuinely call my friends and my own French family)!
Why did you really start learning French?
Sometimes learning French coincides with travelling to a French speaking country, or perhaps you were obliged to learn it at school. However, sometimes reasons for learning French run much deeper than that. Did you always want to live in Paris? Do you love French culture and literature? Tell us about the dream you had that inspired you to learn French, or to continue to learn French.
I started learning French 6, or maybe even 7 years ago. I had always loved the sound of it and thought it was just a beautiful language, plus I’d always wanted to live overseas, with Paris being top of the list, of course. Unfortunately, the schools I attended in the early years did not offer French, so I took up German instead, which I studied for 7 years end really enjoyed, but the attraction to all things French and, in particular, the language, kept drawing me in. Life got in the way and years passed, but finally the right time and opportunity presented itself and ‘voila’, I found myself at Lingua Franca!
What was it like learning a foreign language?
Learning a new language can be challenging and sometimes it is hard for us to see the progress that we’ve made. Did you even have any breakthrough moments where you thought to yourself, ’“I’m finally getting it”?
It is challenging, but those small light bulb moments kept coming and inspired me to continue. Some days are good days, when I surprise myself with how well I am speak and, just as importantly, understanding, but the very next day can take you right back to being a beginner.
I’m a bit of a perfectionist (okay, a lot!) so I don’t like making mistakes, so would often clam up if I wasn’t sure of something. The biggest breakthrough for me came several years ago, whilst travelling in Brittany. There was a problem with the hire car company, which I needed to fix. My husband doesn’t speak French at all, so it was up to me (no pressure!). I was stressed, so did not speak my best French at all, but I still managed to a) have a phone conversation (which is difficult as a learner in any case) and b) sort out the problem. Once I’d done that, it was like a weight fell off my shoulders and since then, I talk all the time, errors and all! Some days are better than others, but that’s okay.
How often do you use French?
So now that you have lots of French under your belt and you’re feeling confident with your skills, how often do you speak French? Do you travel to a French speaking country often, or do you love going to a local French bakery here in Brisbane to order your baguette? Perhaps you hear French people speaking in the street? Do you love to read in French or watch the French news?
At the risk of sounding like a very strange person, I talk out loud to myself in French, I talk to my husband, I listen to French music, I watch the French News and French movies and I have any number of related apps on my phone (News in Slow French, Word Reference, French Radio Online, Duo Lingo and Memrise to name a few..) I try and speak French every day. I’ve even been known to accost people in the supermarket, if I hear them speaking French and, very fortunately for me, they’ve always been very friendly and happy to have a chat. And for the last few years, I’ve helped out at the Brisbane French Festival which has certainly tested my language skills, but has been such a brilliant, if tiring, experience!
As a Brisbanite/Brisbanian, what does it mean to you to speak French here in Brisbane?
Perhaps you don’t travel to French speaking countries that often, what does speaking French in Brisbane bring to your day-to-day experience?
As a student of the French language, it gives a greater understanding, to me anyway, of language in general and I certainly recognise many words we use in English every day, as having French roots or are, in fact, French. It has meant though, that my spelling in English has suffered a bit, focussing as I have on the French side of things!
I am fortunate as we do travel often and, even better, more recently actually bought a little house in France, a long term dream realised! It’s in a rural town, so there is no hiding away – French must be spoken! I have French friends now too, so we email or send messages every few days, always in French. It all helps. I’d love to be fluent and I’ll keep trying, but I’m able to now have much more meaningful conversations, rather than just ordering a coffee, booking a hotel room or buying a train ticket and, for me, it’s the connection to people that I adore, so I’m thrilled.
As English is such a global language, wherever you go in the world, there is surely someone who speaks at least a few words of English. Why then, are you learning French? What does it bring you?
We are often told that it is rare for an anglophone to speak a second language, as English is so widespread. If you didn’t use French for travel, what would you use it for?
French is everywhere – you just need to look. It’s in fashion magazines and it’s on so many of the products we buy - makeup, shampoo, conditioner and food, the list goes on.
Speaking French has introduced me to some wonderful new friends, other students and fabulous teachers. It’s made me more aware of what my own capabilities are, something that I think we all need reminding of, from time to time. And it’s opened up a whole new possibility now, with our planned extended periods in France.
Learning French has been such a wonderful experience for me, I hope that anyone else considering it would not hesitate to take that first step and just do it.
I started learning French when I was in high school. I enjoyed it but was frustrated I couldn’t practise and use it much, so after a year of learning French at school, I stopped. Ten years later, I made the decision to start learning a language and that’s how French came back into my life. I was planning a three to six-month European trip, and I thought knowing a bit of French would be helpful. I was also considering living there for a bit as I have a British passport. Ten days into my European trip, I met the biggest motivation to learning the language: a French girl called Elsa.
From then on, I started learning with a lot more consistency! I was always buying new books and getting excited by new French movies but mostly I was studying every single day whenever I could, with Elsa’s help sometimes. After a year of learning, we spent three months in France and I noticed an improvement. I was spending most of my days listening to the radio, watching French TV and trying to speak to Elsa’s family and friends. It was really hard but it definitely helped my confidence. We moved back to Australia after that and although I still had the best reason to practise my French with me, I kind of stopped for about a year until we moved to Brisbane in August 2015.
Here, I found my motivation again and I was studying several times a week, on my own, watching the news on SBS every morning and going along to French Meetups when I could. I joined Lingua Franca in early 2016 which gave a real boost to my French: the structure of the lessons and the support of the tutors really helped me reach a higher level and even motivated me to sit the DELF B1 in November 2016. I had never sat a French test in my life so this was pretty daunting, though exhilarating. I remember being in front of my test and thinking to myself “Wow, you’re really doing it!”. So I did, and I passed. It gave me a huge boost and so when we visited Elsa’s family for Christmas 2016, I felt confident enough to speak to everyone in French. I loved it and I loved not relying on Elsa for translation and being able to have proper conversations with people. When we came back, I decided to challenge myself even more and enrolled for the DELF B2 training. It’s great for me because it gives me an end goal to focus my studies on and to stay motivated.
In June 2017, we went back to France and I decided to travel on my own for half of our trip which really challenged me. The safety net was off and I had no other choice but to speak French all the time. This experience was amazing and gave me a little taste of what fluency would feel like, which is now my new goal.
Why did you really start learning French?
Despite not learning a language at school, I befriended the Swiss-French exchange student in year 11. When I was young and silly, I travelled to Switzerland knowing "bonjour" and that was it. Now I'm old and serious, I would like to go back and immerse myself more in day-to-day life and culture.
What was it like learning a foreign language?
I often feel like to more you know, the less you know. That certainly isn't true. It's amazing how quickly you can learn to read French - until you embarrassingly pronounce the "h" in "enthousiaste".
How often do you use French?
I am fortunate enough to use it everyday because a couple of my clever friends and family members speak French. I send a lot of text messages in French - and no longer are they all in the present tense.
If I am feeling brave, I say "merci" to Pierre from Le Fromage Yard at the KG markets...and I think I pronounce saucisson correctly now. Très importante!
As a Brisbanite, what does it mean to you to speak French here in Brisbane?
While I was in Switzerland, I saw linguistic diversity in action and was so impressed. Learning another culture and language is so enriching and it has increased my awareness of how many multilingual people you encounter. Excuse for being an idealist for a second but I think even from Brissie we can contribute to the global melting pot.
As English is such a global language, where you go in the world, there is surely someone who speaks at least a few words of English. Why then are you learning French? What does it bring to you?
It is important to me to be able to approach someone in their native language. At a beginner level on my trip to France last year, I was always able to approach people in French. That was a cool feeling - I really earned my glass of beaujolais in the evenings.
We are often told that it is rare for an anglophone to speak a second language, as English is so widespread. If you didn't use French for travel, what would you use it for?
If I don't get to use it shopping at La Croix Rousse Market in Lyon, I'd use it to expand my knowledge of French food and wine. One day I'd like to be able to read the Harry Potter series in French. I'll need to fire up some more neurons before I can process that!
Why did you really start learning French?
Sometimes learning French coincides with travelling to a French speaking country, or perhaps you were obliged to learn it at school. However, sometimes reasons for learning French run much deeper than that. Did you always want to live in Paris? Do you love French culture and literature? Tell us about the dream you had that inspired you to learn French, or to continue to learn French.
I had three reasons for wanting to learn French. 1) I think as English speaking Anglophones we are disadvantaged by only speaking one language and I am ashamed of it when I travel. 2) I want to know what it is like to think in another language and I want to have my perspectives challenged. 3) I would love to live in France one day.
What was it like learning a foreign language?
Learning a new language can be challenging and sometimes it is hard for us to see the progress that we’ve made. Did you even have any breakthrough moments where you thought to yourself, ’“I’m finally getting it”?
It’s slow, but it’s consistent and rewarding. One breakthrough moment was when I accidentally said huit instead of eight to someone! Haha! And another was Wednesday night listening to Sophie and Katrina talk, and while I didn’t get every word, I knew enough to understand that they were talking about the rain, but that it had just stopped.
How often do you use French?
So now that you have lots of French under your belt and you’re feeling confident with your skills, how often do you speak French? Do you travel to a French speaking country often, or do you love going to a local French bakery here in Brisbane to order your baguette? Perhaps you hear French people speaking in the street? Do you love to read in French or watch the French news?
I use it more than I thought, and other French speakers are coming out of the woodwork... I have two friends who speak varying levels of French who I practice with when I can. (One of those friends I had no idea could speak French until I told him I was learning). I love going to Le Bon Choix in the city and getting baguettes and macaroons! I also hear a lot of French on the train and I try to eavesdrop as much as possible! Haha! I also find I’m reading more novels that are set in France hoping the author throws in the occasional French word. I have also always loved French movies!
As a Brisbanite/Brisbanian, what does it mean to you to speak French here in Brisbane?
Perhaps you don’t travel to French speaking countries that often, what does speaking French in Brisbane bring to your day-to-day experience?
This one is hard, day-to-day not much has changed. However, living in such a multicultural society in Brisbane we have so many different languages being spoken, and for many, English is their second language. It’s comforting hearing other languages on the street daily and knowing that all these people went through the same steps and phases I’m going through now, struggling with something that is natural to me... while I struggle with something that is natural to others.
As English is such a global language, wherever you go in the world, there is surely someone who speaks at least a few words of English. Why then, are you learning French? What does it bring you?
We are often told that it is rare for an Anglophone to speak a second language, as English is so widespread. If you didn’t use French for travel, what would you use it for?
Definitely for the change in perspective, I love learning and I want to experience everything I can! I’ve met so many people who speak multiple languages and they just seem to get it. It’s like they know a secret about the world and I want in on the secret! I met a French girl in Vietnam this year who spoke fluent English and had only been learning since high school. She said she felt like she had different personalities for the different languages, and even though French was her first language, she felt like her truer self when she spoke English. HOW AMAZING IS THAT! There’s a French speaking version of me yet to be discovered! What a mind-shattering perspective-breaking wall-crumbling thought!