Learning French in the City of "Non"

Day One

2010-10-18T11:14:00.000-07:00

I have decided to think of this as a game. Therefore, any set-backs or embarrasing moments are just all part of the fun...no need to take it so seriously!

This morning I started the 'Michel Thomas' audio cd's, which were fabulous. I couldn't believe what I could say by the end of the first cd. And it was actually fun!

Then I went to work, and met my first challenge: to speak to at least one person each day in French. I spoke to the tech guy at my uni, who asked me if the TV I was returning had been okay. I replied, "c'etait", as in "it was". He explained to me that in French, you can't just say, 'it was' with nothing afterwards, so I said, "c'etait bon"...he laughed and said, 'zis iz onlee for ze sex!". Apparently, 'bien' is for material things, and 'bon', or 'bonne' is for feelings.

Good to know!

Eu

2010-10-17T10:32:00.001-07:00

I can pronounce 'eu'!!
With some coaching from Jo I've realised it's not pronounced 'oo'.
It's more like 'ew'.

My French journey...the ups and downs.

2010-10-17T10:27:00.000-07:00

After two and a half years in Paris, I still can't speak French!

My friend Jo suggested I try blogging my journey of learning, so here I go!
I am determined to improve, with books, cds, language exchange chats and getting myself out there more, speaking and hearing French.
So, this will be a journal of my experiences, and hopefully a way to measure my improvements and successes!