Top 10 Reasons Why I Can’t Speak French

I can’t speak French. I live in France and can barely put together a sentence in French. It’s getting to be embarrassing.  

I have Rosetta Stone and another online language program on my computer. I work on them occasionally. A couple of weeks ago, I signed up for a beginner’s class through a Uzès expats group. Friday was the first day of class. When I arrived for the lesson, it had been postponed. So, you see, some of it isn’t my fault.

If I write down all my excuses for not learning French, I’ll shame myself into trying harder.

Here’s the countdown:

 #10

It’s the weekend

#9

I’ll do it tomorrow.

#8

I’m too old

 #7

I have a headache

 #6

I don’t get it

#5

I need a drink

#4

I get along fine

#3

I watch French movies

#2

Where’d the day go?

#1 

 “Don’t even try it!” says Joel, the owner of Le Bistrot in Uzes.

I sampled a few French phrases from him, and he said, “No! Stop!”

Apparently, I’m abusing the language. He says I can quote him.

 

Perhaps, the solution is to begin writing blog posts in French. Capturing moments in my French life for posterity is where I want to spend my time. Why not write about these moments in French?

Picture this: me penning a post in French,  trying to navigate grammar and vocabulary without Google Translate. The thought makes my hair stand on end. It would be like diving headfirst into a pool, not knowing how to swim. It would be a comedy of errors.