Okay this new class is NOT semi-anything, let alone semi-INTENSIVE. It’s full-on intensive. So much for time off.

We had to memorize the following script overnight…

M: C’est toi?

J: Qui veux-tu que ce soie?

M: Je m’inquiétais. Où tu etais?

J: Je me suis fait accrocher par un type.

M: Tu t’es fait agresser?

J: Mais non, il y a un type qui m’est rentré dedans avec sa bagnole.

M: Et tu n’as rien? Tu n’est pas blessé?

J: Mais non, avec sa bagnole. Il est rentré dans la mienne.

M: J’avais compris. Il y a des dégâts?

J: Un peu, pas graves. C’etait un jeune cadre. Un connard! Il doit gagner trois fois ce que je gagne.

M: Ça ne sert à rien de te mettre dans des-états pareils.

D’après Comment s’en servir, de Serge Kirbus (1997)

…and then we had to ACT it out. Twice. We took turns playing each role.

So while I do have off tomorrow, I have to memorize another similar sized piece of dialogue — with all the correct liaisons, emphasis, and actions. I also have to conjugate the hell out of two verbs — all tenses. And, complete another worksheet. There was actually a second worksheet, but being the nerd I am, I completed it last night. (By accident. I’m the accidental nerd sometimes.)

Whew.

I really have to push myself in this class in a lot of different ways. I sound like a broken record by now, I’m sure. But I am always the newbie. Others in the class have lived here A LOT longer, or have advanced degrees in French, etc. La prof is sensitive to this — and I’m not saying she’s sensitive; she’s not. I am saying that she does make sure I understand certain the directions/instructions, which I genuinely appreciate.

The class begins at level B1 (which is me), and goes up from there. I am base level here. Only my pronunciation is higher than B1. Conversing and hearing/comprehension are hanging in there with everything I’ve got.

Part of me wants to finish my stay here in an A1 class just so I can be the most advanced student in the room for a change. What do you think?

Time to get to work.

À toute à l’heure!

The chocolate piece is interesting. It looks like a potato chip, coated in chocolate. It’s not. It’s just a thin piece of chocolate – Caramel au Buerre Salé. (Think toffee.)