Biarritz/Bayonne/Dax Expat community

[Jiminic]

Hi
Let us know when you get here. We have met a few english speakers in the area from Ciboure to Biarritz.

There was a english speakers ladies' book / magazine swap in Biarritz a few weeks ago, but I didn't make it.

Not sure about any real expat thing though.

[SEVEN]

Hi! How are you? Would you like to meet in Hossegor sales tomorrow? Most clothes, shoes & surfing items are 80% discount. If you're not interested in shopping, let me know if you'd like to meet me in Hendaye, St Jean de Luz, BIarritz or Bayonne.
Cheers and wellcome in the Basque Country!

[livinglifemyway]

Hello Salsa and everyone else,
I am also moving to that area soon.This summer actually with my husband and my 18 year old son.We are all American and have been living in Hawaii for years.I am Irish decent and obtaining my Irish citizenship.I'd love to have some English speaking folks to relate with!
Do you have an email so we can keep in touch?

[SEVEN]

Hi all! Do you feel better today?
Thank you livinglifemyway for your quick reply. Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to post my e-mail here but we can keep in touch in the forum. I can introduce you my Irish friend. It must be great living in Hawai! I lived 3 years in LA & I loved it! Summer is the best season to move in here. I would be more than happy to help you!
To all of YOU, I can introduce you English speakers, make your life easier here and really enjoy it here! Feel free to email me and feel at home!
Cheers and love life,

7

[livinglifemyway]

Thanks!
How long do you think someone could learn to speak French fluently?
And do you know of any online language class that is good?

[SEVEN]

Originally Posted by livinglifemyway

Thanks!
How long do you think someone could learn to speak French fluently?
And do you know of any online language class that is good?

HI livinglifemyway!
I'm a French Instructor and French Native. My mother tongue is Spanish but my father was French and I've a Master's degree in Foreign Languages from a French and a Spanish University. I've been teaching French for 7 years and I would be more than happy to teach you. I can send you references and I've taught at UCLA. I always make learning fun. I'm a member of California Language Teachers Association and I always use the latest CD-ROMS, books, songs, games, internet, outings... After 4 posts, this site allows me to send you my e-mail. So, as soon as I send 4 posts, I'll send it to you and I'll send you my Resume.
The speed of learning a language depends on:
1-motivation
2-practice (hanging out with French people)
3- listening French daily as much as you can
4- 1 hour of study daily
5-learning ability
If you take 7 hours a week and you learn fast, in 3 months, you'll be able to speak it fluently.
The first lesson is free and we can use skype.
Talk to you soon,


7

[frogblogger]

Originally Posted by livinglifemyway

Thanks!
How long do you think someone could learn to speak French fluently?
And do you know of any online language class that is good?

Hmm... from scratch? Some basics? How long is a piece of string! It depends on a variety of factors - motivation is extremely important, along with persistence... especially for those who are a while past their prime learning years! A knack for languages, a musical ear. A good memory. All play a role.

A good learning method is vital too, and online systems are not ideal imo, being rather impersonal and lacking in quality in some cases.

To get some ability in the language before arrival, taking a French class is best imho, or if not some sort of cd learning pack.

Once in France, the more contact with French people the better of course.

It can seem an impossible task when you set out, but there's a kind of comprehension threshold where you begin to understand about two or three words in ten... and miraculously you start to have a clue what people are on about! A vocab of 'just' a few hundred words does the trick. You might be surprised just how limited the average use of vocab actually is, in the course of most conversations, over a normal day.

I haven't taught for a while, but I'm a professional linguist - a qualified translator and interpreter... so I speak from a little experience, but not so much from the learning a European language perspective as it's a while (a few decades) since I had to do this from scratch. Still I spend half the year in Thailand at the moment, so I empathise with those worried about coping with the language change. But unlike me, at least new arrivals in France aren't having to cope with a lingo written in hieroglyphics!!

[SEVEN]

Originally Posted by livinglifemyway

Thanks!
How long do you think someone could learn to speak French fluently?
And do you know of any online language class that is good?

My pleasure, livinglifemyway.
I'm also a Tourist Guide, Translator and Interpreter and I agree with Frogblogger. It's better you take a face to face French course before coming here. Once you're here, I can teach you French face to face and show you the Basque Country beauty. The food is delicious and in summer, it's really fun and International! I can introduce you nice people and show you the best shopping deals around.

Thank you for your interest and feel free to ask me any questions.

Cheers,

[livinglifemyway]

Originally Posted by SEVEN

My pleasure, livinglifemyway.
I'm also a Tourist Guide, Translator and Interpreter and I agree with Frogblogger. It's better you take a face to face French course before coming here. Once you're here, I can teach you French face to face and show you the Basque Country beauty. The food is delicious and in summer, it's really fun and International! I can introduce you nice people and show you the best shopping deals around.

Thank you for your interest and feel free to ask me any questions.

Cheers,

Thank you.This is helpful or maybe I should say Merci!

[Salsa]

Hi, Have you managed to meet up with anyone yet?

Originally Posted by Cyndithia

I'm an American living in St-Jean-de-Luz...let me know if she still wants someone to talk to. I'm completely bored here!

Cynthia