Living in France without speaking French?

Silver Member Joined: Jan 08 2007 Posts: 742

the ppl.in strassbourg understand german,how do they shop in germany if not?they learn it in school,and alsacien is heard around,u could get by but they don't like english or german.the french are proud of their language

If I may ask, why are you thinking about moving? Younger children pick up new languages fairly easily. For the older ones, it will partly depend on how motivated they are.

I know there is a non-jewish anglo/american community in Stransbourg because of NATO presence. Though you definitely would need French for daily communication. Basic french is not that difficult to learn, though to socialise and integrate fully would require more efforts.

I did it. Let me tell you. It's NOT possible.

When I moved I was a kid. So although it took about a year or so to be completely conversational, my french was never as perfect as other kids'. Still kids learn fast and total immersion is key. I went from not understanding a word the first week of school to having sleepovers with my best friends, writing essays, reading real french literature within a few months.

My mom had taken some High school French but that's nowhere near enough to get by on so she took some Berlitz courses and soon caught up.

My dad lived there for 10 years and never learned how to speak.

I guess it's easier for some and harder for others.

But you DEFINITELY need to speak French to live in France. In my experience, people treated you horribly if you didn't even try. Teachers, waiters, salespeople, or random people on the street.

Furthermore, Anti-American sentiment was pretty strong when I lived there (although it may have changed since) and we avoided speaking in English in public bc people would give us dirty looks or mutter things under their breaths...

I suggest you take a class before you move. And not a once a week class. A serious, heavy, daily class. If you have kids, it might be a good idea for them to take a class as well, just to make the transition easier. Also, if you have DVDs, check to see if they have a French Language option and have your kids watch their favorites in French.

I know its hard. Change is hard. Moving is hard. Having to adapt to new people, a new culture, and a new language is very difficult. But if you can get a head start on the laguage before you go it wil make your life much easier.