| I took French for about 4 years in junior and senior high school, and a couple more years in college. It was oriented to reading, not conversation. For example, I passed my college reading knowledge exam easily (de Tocqueville, dictionary permitted), but used to answer a couple of friends who knew conversational French in English (I understood, but did not feel confident beyond a few phrases, to speak). When I went to France, my French was somewhat fractured, but I could make myself understood, and impressed my family with how much I recalled. Nevertheless, I was piqued that so many Parisians had pretty good English, so I decided to brush up. For awhile, it was hard to find time, but I have been doing a fair amount of reading in French for a few months. Again, though, I am strengthening my knowledge, but not yet fluent. I would do markedly better on another trip to Paris, but would still feel uncomfortable being much on the spot. Still, one of these days, I am hopeful that I will make the transition....... |
