#francisation

The listed exceptions are below. Quebec is getting batshit insane about this Francisation campaign. I realize this sort of self-certification is essentially meaningless, but the intent behind it is xenophobia and reducing immigration.

Par Pierre Arrault

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I had my first day of Francisation classes at the correct level for my abilities today and it went super freaking awesome! There was just one other person in my class and I like having closer attention from the teacher. My confidence in speaking French shot right up during the class because I was talking to her and she was understanding what I was saying. Normally I get so nervous that I end up tongue-tied and don't make any sense. Part of the reason why I'm taking the class is to improve my confidence.

Immediately after class, I went to SAAQ (the driving association) to change the address on my driver's license. I spoke to the woman in 100% French and at the end she said, 'Vous parlez bien francais' (you speak French well). I gave her a huge smile and my day instantly brightened even more.

... was a joke. I passed my TEFaQ over 13 months ago to a high B1 standard (high intermediate) and I'm being told to prepare for my C1 TEFaQ (advanced - almost fluent) yet this school put me in a group with beginners who were struggling to conjugate the verbs être and avoir.

Big mistake.

It was painful to listen to. At least they're trying. It was also a good reminder for me. I may berate myself for what I think are my inabilities now but I've improved hugely. Just 18 months ago, I couldn't speak a word of French and look what I can do now. The best way to judge progress is to look at how far you've come, not how far you still have to go.

I'm so evil. I just heard about Beachbody coaches getting banned from the product pages and I can't help but chuckle in an evil way. Good! I can remember when I started out with my Beachbody workouts and I posted on the P90X page; I was literally swooped upon by people looking to be my coach. It gives a really bad impression to people who are new to the programmes. When it happened to me I was just like, 'WTF is going on? What am I getting myself into? Is this some sort of weird cult???'

On other fitness news, I'm having a duvet day. I have a cough and my breathing feels weird. I'd already taken two naps by 11am so no surprises when I say the fatigue is still there. I'm hoping that just allowing myself to relax will get the illness to develop, sort of like when you're stressed at work and then go on holiday and end up ill... So no snowshoeing for me today but that's OK because it means no chores either. Yay.