We signed up for French classes! After a couple of hectic weeks trying to determine whether we were eligible to take the free classes through government programs (and finding out that we are not), we signed up for French class through the PGSS at McGill.
Classes start in a week or two, and I am so excited to get back on the wagon. I do a little bit of Mango every day, but I think it will help to be with a real live teacher who can answer the weird questions that I come up with and can be more reliable than google translate.
French has become a really important thing in my life since moving here. I've been working steadily on my own, but it doesn't seem to be enough. Everyone here is bilingual, and I will admit - I get intimidated. I'm afraid to try using the French that I do know, because I'm worried that I will mess up, or that someone will be angry at me. That's totally ridiculous, because most of the people that I have met are so friendly and are willing to talk to you in English...which is also a problem because once you struggle, they know that French isn't your first language and switch to English, so then I don't get any practice. It's a cyclical thing...and obviously not uncommon, since Mango specifically teaches you how to say "Please speak more slowly" and "Please speak to me in French."
I'm excited to get past the point where people seem to know immediately that I don't speak French (at least not well enough to feel comfortable)...
I think it's not only healthy but necessary to set goals when taking on a new challenge, so here are mine:
My short term goal is to be able to carry on a basic conversation in French when I go to the market for produce.
Long term goal is somewhere on the horizon. I'd like to get as close to fluent as possible, and within two years that should be attainable. I just need to be committed and fearless!
In other news, I've been doing a lot more running lately. The weather has started to cool down enough that I'm not uncomfortable 10 minutes into a run, but I will be honest - Mount Royal will kick my ass forever. It will always be a good workout! Here's to hills!
I've also been doing more walking, too! It is so funny to see how different our neighborhood feels now from when we walked around the city during our visit in April. Here I am walking super close to what became our home in August...and we had no idea! I was really miserable then, I was sick, I had recently had dental work done so my mouth hurt, I was terribly prepared for the really cold weather, and I was missing a half marathon race to be there. Ignore my annoyed and tired face!
I've found a few places that I'd like to try out when we have a bit more disposable income. Right now we are still trying to save money and live pretty frugally, with the occasional "splurge" of a night out getting drinks at a brewery (there are SO many of them here).
Anyway, that's what is happening right now. More soon!
Classes start in a week or two, and I am so excited to get back on the wagon. I do a little bit of Mango every day, but I think it will help to be with a real live teacher who can answer the weird questions that I come up with and can be more reliable than google translate.
French has become a really important thing in my life since moving here. I've been working steadily on my own, but it doesn't seem to be enough. Everyone here is bilingual, and I will admit - I get intimidated. I'm afraid to try using the French that I do know, because I'm worried that I will mess up, or that someone will be angry at me. That's totally ridiculous, because most of the people that I have met are so friendly and are willing to talk to you in English...which is also a problem because once you struggle, they know that French isn't your first language and switch to English, so then I don't get any practice. It's a cyclical thing...and obviously not uncommon, since Mango specifically teaches you how to say "Please speak more slowly" and "Please speak to me in French."
I'm excited to get past the point where people seem to know immediately that I don't speak French (at least not well enough to feel comfortable)...
I think it's not only healthy but necessary to set goals when taking on a new challenge, so here are mine:
My short term goal is to be able to carry on a basic conversation in French when I go to the market for produce.
Long term goal is somewhere on the horizon. I'd like to get as close to fluent as possible, and within two years that should be attainable. I just need to be committed and fearless!
In other news, I've been doing a lot more running lately. The weather has started to cool down enough that I'm not uncomfortable 10 minutes into a run, but I will be honest - Mount Royal will kick my ass forever. It will always be a good workout! Here's to hills!
I've also been doing more walking, too! It is so funny to see how different our neighborhood feels now from when we walked around the city during our visit in April. Here I am walking super close to what became our home in August...and we had no idea! I was really miserable then, I was sick, I had recently had dental work done so my mouth hurt, I was terribly prepared for the really cold weather, and I was missing a half marathon race to be there. Ignore my annoyed and tired face!
I've found a few places that I'd like to try out when we have a bit more disposable income. Right now we are still trying to save money and live pretty frugally, with the occasional "splurge" of a night out getting drinks at a brewery (there are SO many of them here).
Anyway, that's what is happening right now. More soon!
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