Tuesday, 16 September 2014

Update: Free French Classes

Finally, 2 months after my appointment with the immigration office
I am due to go for my linguistic test at a school nearby
From the official website, 
it states that the free classes can be up to 400hours
From the various expats forums, 
it sounded like 200hours was the max

However, I am not too keen to have 200hours
Initially, the plan was to make full use of the free classes
to get as much hours as possible
but with my part time job
and forum indicated that everyone of different level is in same class
It doesnt sounds really good for my learning
And i guess with 4months of practice, 
I do hope I will be able to do slight better than 200hours

The week before the test,
I did some french proficiency test online and did badly
added with my bad prononciation,
plus i dont understand questions
I am doom to fail
According to google, the test should be made up of:
- Written (MCQs, comprehension)
- Oral interview 

The school was located in a strange area
that i thought i was lost when google map asked me to walk behind a block of apartment
The morning did not start well
when the receptionist asked me tons of questions in french,
i shown my "im an idiot" look,
and she gave the "you are idiot" look
Sometimes i wonder why people in service line 
or customer service are so impatient with non-french speakers
I really wish to throw them into English speaking world
and laugh at them...
Okay evil thoughts...*WAHAHAHA*

Apparently, I was supposed to bring the folder from the immigrations office
just to prove that im sent by them
ehhh but i have the appointment letter?!!
Anyway, she just zap what i had and my passport.
A filipino lady was behind me and we end up in the same test room
and i made some small talk with her
She has been in france for 11 years but claims that she does not speak french!

Thereafter, I was asked to go into a test room
all instructions were given in french
A lady requested for the instructor to explain in english
but the instructor claims that she is not supposed to speak in english
to test our level of french
so i agar agar try to understand

So, we are provided 30mins to complete the written test
thankfully, its easier than those i found online
- connect the correct words to pictures (lucky is simpler to english words)
- Anwer few questions based on a poster
- write an email!
- Write an opinion! (should kids have handphone?)

Anyway, i didnt managed to have time for the opinion
I have no idea how to write it too
Then i was asked to go for the interview
thankfully, the lady was so patient
and dont mind repeating slowly
when i have my idiot look

The questions were mostly about personal information
which husband helped me to memorize
and she marked my test paper on the spot
quite happy that all mcqs were right
finally, my results is....level A1!
I did well enough to avoid the elementary level
and is assigned 105hours of classes

Since I am working,
my classes will be 9-1pm, mon-fri
Which means only 5+ weeks of classes
and thereafter, to go for an exam for a certificate for basic french

Since my sister and family is here this week,
I requested for classes to start after
and thankfully, I can start in october
Now is waiting for the letter to know where and when school will starts!




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