The kids - November 2009
We are a family of six, myself, a semi-dormant architect, and my husband Harry, a construction project manager and our four children aged 6,8,10 and 12.
We made the move from the East Midlands in the UK after a work transfer from the London office to Rouen, and have thrown ourselves into a total culture and language exchange. The kids are in a totally French school, and Harry in a totally French office. During the day we can only communicate in French which we are learning fast, and to date – one year on, we have only met one other English speaking family. All friends, aquaintences and strangers in our daily lives are french speaking.
This is our story of how it all started, how we ended up here and how we are getting on.
The kids 2011
Salut! Nous sommes une famille de six personnes. Moi, architecte, mon Mari, chef de projet, et nos quatre enfants qui ont 12, 10, 8 et 6 ans.
Nous avons demenagé d’Angleterre à Rouen quand mon mari etait muté par son enterprise en France. Les enfants sont scolarisé dans une institute (collège/ècole) privée catholique française. Quand nous sommes arrivés ils n’ont pas parlé un mot de la langue française. Mon mari travaille dans un bureau entirement français.
Pendant la journée nous parlons en français avec toute la monde. Tous nos amis sont français.
C’est l’histoire de nos vies, comment elles ont commencées, comment elles continuent et comment nous voyons l’avenir.
Bienvenue!
Hello !
I just get a short abstract of your write-up from http://www.scoop.it/t/rouen/p/476216191/total-immersion-french-style?_tmc=2MH55Ahntb2dK2wCYlaxJNCmExQLgpDmFfi9M93qnrQ, so I cannot describe yet my feelings but a snippet jumped to my eyes : ” All friends, acquaintences and strangers in our daily lives are french speaking. ” and I wanted to react about it.
Indeed, I ‘m not that surprised as Frenchmen are know for their awkwardness in dealing with foreign languages.
Ooops… I nearly missed to specify that I am born in Rouen and live in St-Martin-du-Vivier, a 1,800-inhabitant-village at 7 kms at NE of Rouen.
With a little luck, maybe we could meet !
There are many french people around who are superb at speaking English, however, since i’m in France it is only right that I make the effort to become fluent! Often I find myself responding in French despite being asked a question in English! I think English people who move here stick to the coast and not Rouen. It was hard at the begining not having any english speakers around but not so important now that i’m mastering the language!
Bonjour
I’m a journalist working for the local newspaper Liberté Dimanche, and I would like to get in touch with you so that you can tell me more about your life in Rouen.
If you could be ok for an interview, I thank you for contacting me.
Best regards.
Sandrine Grosjean
Liberté Dimanche
Société Normande de Presse, d’Edition et d’Impression
33, rue des Grosses Pierres
BP 40 047
76 250 Déville-lès-Rouen
33 (0)2 32 08 37 45
s.grosjean@presse-normande.com
Sounds like a great journey! I’m not sure how to say “good luck” in French, but I can say it in Chinese and Spanish: 祝你们好运！ Buena suerte!
Thanks jacqueline – and its “bon chance” – though people also say “bon courage” which I think is lovely!
Hello there!
My name is Malte Zeeck, and I am with InterNations.org. I really enjoyed reading your fantastic blog! I think expats in France and around the world could really gain some great insights [and have a few good laughs] on this page. The quality of the blog in general is very convincing, which is why I would love to feature you and your writing on the Recommended Blog on France section on InterNations.org
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Malte Zeeck