Hello everyone! My name is S.Maki. I have been living in Paris, France for the past 10 years.
Let me start by asking, what was your first encounter with the French language?
There are many reasons for people to learn French, such as from necessity, for fun, for traveling, or for studying abroad.
When I was younger, I visited France for the first time on a trip, and later on, through a study abroad program, where I experienced the diverse culture of France. My first experience as a working adult was in French society, so I experienced a lot of cultural shock and loneliness, but I also had a lot of fun.
Having lived in French society while also having Japanese perceptions, I felt that what I needed to improve were practical French skills, such as actually saying things out loud clearly and communicating with others through conversation. Especially when living under the same roof in the same country with people of various cultures and nationalities, we must respect and understand each other through communication.
That being said, grammar is essential for any adult learner who is studying a language. To understand grammar, it is best to learn it in your native language, in this case Japanese, so that you can understand where non-native speakers often make mistakes, and it will also make it easier to grasp the key points.
To be able to speak French, you need to increase your vocabulary, repeat sentences and conversations over and over again, and memorize the French language’s rhythm.
During your stay in France, even if you think you are “all set!” I am sure you will always encounter something that you might not be prepared for. In my case, I would just use my imagination to get around it, or I would quickly ask “C’est quoi?” In my experience, if I backed down here, I would later regret that I did not have the courage to engage myself in conversation, so I had to be more honest and willing to be taught.
Having the courage to put your thoughts and feelings into words even if you are intimidated at first, instead of staying silent in fear of making grammatical mistakes is extremely important. When you are able to communicate with your own words, you will be able to speak more out of joy.
On Cafetalk, I will do my best to help you with “conversational, communicative, and useful French” based on my real-life experiences!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my self introduction.
I look forward to working with you, and hope to see you soon in my lessons where you can enjoy learning!!
【 Cafetalk Translation / October 2023 】
Please note that this profile has been translated by Cafetalk for easier understanding. The tutor doesn’t speak English.
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