Around 16 million French people actually speak some English – not to mention the hundreds of thousands of ex-pats who do. So why learn French? You can probably get by without it.
You probably can. I know people who live here who can’t speak a word of French. I don’t spend a lot of time with them, but they’re around. Mostly they rely on a partner who speaks French, or someone local. Not very independent-minded but I guess some people are like that.
But never mind my personal opinion (my blog – that’s what you get sometimes 
). Why learn French anyway?
Let’s look at it from a French vacation point of view first. If you speak even just a little French you’re simply going to make your your life easier. You will understand more than you realize so you will find it easier to get around. You will also be able to pick up on things that non-French speakers will miss. Interesting events you hadn’t planned on that you see advertised on a poster, for example. If you don’t speak the language you would simply ignore things like that.
Now I’m not suggesting for a minute that you need to be fluent. If you are coming to France often then that would be an advantage but even a few words will help you figure stuff out. Once you begin to understand French phrases you will be surprised how much more sinks in – quickly too.
If you are going to spend more time in France, perhaps as part of a posting, or a gap year, or you’re going to live here, then “why learn French” shouldn’t even be a question. Seriously. If you’re not considerate enough to attempt to learnt he language of the country you’re going to spend months or even years in, we can do without you.
What are you doing in France if part of it is not to absorb something of French culture and life?
Here’s a little tip that, even if you only learn a few words, will help you no end. Don’t start with “Do you speak English”. Not ever. How would you feel if you were at work and someone came up to you and said “excusez-moi, parlez-vous Français?”
Even if you understood them you would probably be fairly stumped. If you were busy, you might be less than polite. Yet you often hear people say that the French are impolite. Are you kidding? Is it any surprise when people keep going up to them and saying “Do you speak English?”
Start with “Bonjour” or “Excusez-moi“. You’ll be amazed the difference it will make, even if your second phrase is still “do you speak English”!
In my experience the French are helpful and patient – provided you are at least considerate enough to make an attempt. Of course they will know you are not French. Even those that speak fluent French are seldom taken as actually being French – it’s a question of accent – but if you try to speak their language, even that introductory word or two, the French appreciate it. They are flattered and will do their very best to help.
Just in case you have no French at all (although you can probably guess), “Bonjour” is hello (in fact it’s good day, but use it like you would hello). “Excusez-moi” is excuse me – yeah, OK, you knew that – and “parlez-vous Français?” is do you speak French?”
Here endeth today’s lesson!
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