Learnig the language is the "minimum" effort when you emigrate to a country. I will never understand people that chose to live outside their native country and don't make the effort to learn the local language.
Frenchman here. Travelled a lot and worked / lived in some countries like the USA, the UK, Canada, Italia, the Netherlands, Germany, mainland China, Taiwan and some others. Everywhere it is the same: If you learn the language and are open then you are in for treats (discover a new culture, meet fantastic people). Yes sometimes (not often) you meet stupid or racist people but the vast majority are worth knowing. Failures: I tried hard to learn Chinese and failed because of lack of time, a proper teacher (not a machine) and the immense need caused by a total immersion in China (not English speaking).
It is certainly true that you REALLY need to learn French if you want to live in France, as, although many French people understand a fair amount of English (particularly the younger generation, who've been around computers since they were in nappies!), very few of them actually speak it, especially in rural areas. The other way of getting to know people is by joining in something where language is not necessarily a barrier. When my husband and I retired to France in 1996, we promptly joined a local choir, as we've always enjoyed singing. We do have the advantage of speaking fairly good French, which has certainly improved over the years, but choir music comes in many languages . We were certainly called on as a useful resource in the pronunciation of English language songs, and only occasionally taken to task for our French pronunciation!
People under estimate how much french you need to integrate. You need to be B2 working towards C1. You need to be almost fluent to chat in a casual way, make friends and integrate for example having an entry level job. You need significant amounts of French. A bit of French isn't enough.
In my French language-learning journey, i've met many other learners who are learning French for that particular reason - they wish to know more French because they eventually do want to move to that area or because they holiday there frequently. I think I said that I have a half-french friend whose grandparents live in that area. Plus, I also watch Comme une Francaise. She is a great teacher who has helped me a lot with my French.
I wanted to share a personal reflection regarding population movements between the United Kingdom and France, particularly in the context of Brexit. Interestingly, many Britons supported Brexit to fight immigration and regain sovereignty. However, today we are seeing an increasing number of British citizens coming to settle in France. The problem is that most of them don't seem to be making much of an effort to fully integrate. The language barrier is a glaring example: they do not master French and do not always seem to try to learn it, as if France could be perceived as an extension of Britain. to encourage linguistic and cultural integration. This could undoubtedly facilitate cohabitation and strengthen mutual respect between communities. Thank you for reading, and I remain open to your thoughts on this subject.
I live in Dordogne and a lot of English people live here. I like English people. They're intelligent, polite and have a sense of humor. It's a bit of a cliché, but it's true
My grandparents come from the Dordogne region. When visiting them, either as a kid or now, you'd always come across the random really beautiful car with a UK license plate. Overall I'd say the description in the video about the feelings people there have regarding the British is pretty accurate. French people usually like the Brits, particularly in the South-West of the country, which has a closer history to England than the rest of France. There's also a fascination for these rich English folks coming to restore the countless castle/mansions ruins scattered all over the region. As for the negatives, it's really indeed linked to the language. I have known a kid whose parents had been in France 10 years+ and still couldn't hold a conversation in French, which is a bit of a shame and must definitely be difficult day-to-day. Convertly, making an effort to learn the language and try to integrate is really appreciated.
If it’s on a UK vehicle it can’t be a licence plate. It is a registration plate, which is attributed to a vehicle when it is first registered then remains on the vehicle all of its life.
I've lived in different continents, including the U.K. I don't like the weather or the food. I much prefer France, having visited there on multiple occasions over the years. I'm willing to learn French in order to integrate. It's a much nicer culture, people and food.
Well, I have been living in the UK for many years and personally prefer the English people :) ( I would not go back to France which has change beyond recognition unfortunately..........:( English are overall more polite and helpful. I agree for the food though :) Good luck with learning French :)
@@helenefrench4275France has change how? Passive aggressiveness isn't considered politeness in France and in many countries. How is the life of people who don't speak English after 25 years in the UK?
even for a french citizen you should know that moving from a region to another in the country can sometimes be really tough .I had to move from Paris to Marseille during 10 years . Absolutely Horrible no friends absolutely nothing in the area to live for . do not want to shed crocodile tears but that's reality being brit or not speaking french do not always account for the difficulty to integrate
They are very nice, but I don't understand how it could be possible to live in a country for 25 years and not speaking the language. This is very very surprising and show a lack of interest for where you are.
English superciliousness. They think the world should adapt to them, not the other way round. Which is why tehy will always be closed off from the majority of the society they live in. Funny that tehy call themselves expats but never immigrants, because "immigrants are poor people from Eastern Europe, and we are something better". F--- English egotism.
it's even more than that it's actually disrespectful to the country you live in as if the world revolves around english speakers.. (and they're the same people complaining about immigrants not knowing proper english)
I’m a French teacher in La Creuse and I’m happy to say that I’m surrounded by British who really want to learn the language ! I can tell it’s not easy especially when you’re older but it is possible 😉 After some lessons they feel more confident in their everyday life. Most of French people don’t speak English, so in my opinion, you have to learn at least basic sentences.
As a 38 yr old English guy I would be so happy to live over in France, but rather than the Boomer retirees' southwest region🫢😂probably more likely to Paris or even the Nord region : BUT coming from a society where we typically weren’t encouraged to learn an additional language from young, there is a massive factor of the time commitment and struggle to adopt an entire new language. I am actually more inclined to invest the time in learning German, if even possible at this age, because the pronunciation is much more familiar and the German-speaking countries look very appealing - Have travelled there a lot.
I’m one of those boomers who once worked in Paris. It’s a beautiful city but it’s also a very stressful and expensive one - very much like London. Depending on your skills etc there are plenty of other places in France that are much more attractive from a “quality of life” perspective - eg Toulouse, Bordeaux, Montpelier. And, maybe surprisingly, Lille - especially if you want to be close to the U.K. (and live in a very similar climate!). Many French people would think that a crazy idea because in the past it would be like telling Londoners how wonderful Blackburn and Bolton were, but it’s very much improved and is nowadays a large +3 million metro area that overlaps into Belgium, under an hour from Paris by train and under 2 from London. But you REALLY must speak French - the French are generally helpful and forgiving if your French isn’t great but they really don’t like it if you don’t seem to try, and it is a bit of an insult if you actually live there. And no offence to Germans or Germany, which I have visited many times (it was a German company I used to work for) but it wouldn’t be my choice of way of life and it really isn’t an easier language (grammar especially) despite the shared roots. Bon chance!
I agree with you it always surprises me to say that german is closer to english than french or easier to learn. German has 3 genders, four cases (nominal,accusative,genitive) whereas french only have 2 genders and no cases. More than 60% of english words come from Latin and french. Not so many german ones actually and the sentence construction is very different. Especially complex sentences where the verb comes at the very end. The sounds between german and french, the complicated ones, respectively "r" and "ch" in german but only r in french.
@@PoorNeighbor Well… English may have more French and Latin origin words in the dictionary, but not in daily use. Many studies have shown that daily spoken English, in England, is +70% “Germanic” origin (Anglo Saxon mainly). And I’m not sure that the sounds of French are easier for English speakers either - particularly the vowel sounds eg the differences between “u”, “ou”, and “eu” - two of which English just doesn’t have and need to be learned, complete with unfamiliar mouth shape. Having said all that, I still agree that French is “easier” to learn - but everything is relative!
En tant que français de ma belle normandie ,je souhaite la bienvenue à ces retraités anglais qui veulent finir une vie heureuse dans nos régions, je vous recommande l’orne où j’habite ,cela ressemble à vos comtés du sud de l’Angleterre 🏴🇫🇷
wé, ben je suis de Livarot, et ça serait bien de ne pas trop faire de pub, et les voir se ramener en meute... Au moins, les neerlandais parlent bien français
@@TomBartram-b1c Presque, juste en dessous, vers Vimoutiers... et manqué malheureusement. Et on y fait aussi un fromage qui pue, mais je ne suis pas très fan, je préfère le Camembert.
Hi Mitch. I hope you're doing well! Thanks a bunch for this video. The man who said : "You reap what you sow "is absolutely right and I'd like to add " We're pandering on stereotypes. In my opinion English people are lazy to learn another language because English is the most widely spoken language in the World. Being said, French people are also reluctant to learn English for instance.
Thanks for watching and I hope you are well! I understand that we are lucky to be speaking a common language, and I would love to break the stereotype and have fluent German language skills.
@@marieadriansen2925 You're wrong! I'm 66 years old and I speak English.I know many teenagers and adults who don't speak English or just a basic English.
@@marclozachmeur3629 It's true that there are older people who speak English very well. Everyone has learned English and is able to understand the minimum if they speak slowly with simple words. Many are shy, don't have confidence in themselves and don't dare.
Most British who move to France aren't rich, retired. Many don't have any particular skills and live off social benefits. Granted they arrived before Brexit, I don't know if people can move to France without a job now.
We live ten mins away from Eymet. Our area is more French as opposed to Eymet. Unfortunately even amongst the French it is known as Little Britain. I’m not sure if you also filmed in Miramont de Guyenne which is less than five minutes from us. The market there has far more French people than the Eymet one. As lovely as this area is we find it too quiet for us with not enough transport options. Therefore we’re looking to move elsewhere in the not too distant future.
You need to have a word with your graphic designer about that map. It includes Ireland and we are certainly not Brits. And no, you don’t get off the hook for shading it green 😂
French people don’t know much about bbritish culture, only the stereotypes but every nation is self absorbed I guess. I think it’s great that people are moving back to the countryside and bring new life and energy. No one is mad at the brits for that.
As a French Native I'm far from the Folks Picture since I'm Speaking English ( broken ) Thaï and Tibetan but I Agree French are Rarely addict by the Shakespeare Culture ...
Thanks for episode. I am polish who live in Glasgow but One day I will move to France for culture and language reason. And weather of course, priceless;)
@@agroleszek2535 It’s the southwest - a wide area about 100km inland from Bordeaux, Dordogne department (24). Very popular with British tourists and residents - and others, eg Dutch.
I really liked the video, the British and other English speakers should teach English to learn French and integrate into French society. France offers good languages such as Norman, Picardy, Arpitan, Occitan, Catalan. Anglophones, learning these other languages, integrate very well into French society. For example in England, in the United Kingdom they speak Norman and Anglo Norman, these languages are French and very much stuck to standard Parisian French, there are no excuses for not learning anything and it is a lack of courage and will, especially living in France for 25, 30 years. The video is very bashful, polite and cute, showing the affection and love between the British and the French. Kisses from the heart, collaborate with Easy French and Easy Catalan, Catalan is also spoken in France in the southwest region along with Occitan. 💚💚💚💚💚🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🇨🇵🇬🇧
Portugal has the same superstition about the bread. Not only brings bad luck it also means the people in that house make their money laying on their back aka prostituting… 😄
the guy who's been there 25 years and says impossible to integrate....I'm sorry but that's on him
Impossible to integrate without speaking any french for sure
@@PhenecX If you want to integrate into any country in the world, you have to say at least a few words, that's the minimum.
@@marieadriansen2925 Agreed.. Few words is enough for tourism, but you can't expect being "integrated" in any country without speaking it's language..
Imagine , don't speack english in USA , ENGLAND, AUSTRALIA , you return in your country , the big probleme in France is administrtif , paper 😭😭
@@JulienBARÇON Administrative papers for foreigners in France is exactly the same as for foreigners in other countries.
Learnig the language is the "minimum" effort when you emigrate to a country. I will never understand people that chose to live outside their native country and don't make the effort to learn the local language.
Not necessarily fluent but at least a few sentences, it's not difficult
Unless it's not a permanent move
Frenchman here. Travelled a lot and worked / lived in some countries like the USA, the UK, Canada, Italia, the Netherlands, Germany, mainland China, Taiwan and some others. Everywhere it is the same: If you learn the language and are open then you are in for treats (discover a new culture, meet fantastic people). Yes sometimes (not often) you meet stupid or racist people but the vast majority are worth knowing.
Failures: I tried hard to learn Chinese and failed because of lack of time, a proper teacher (not a machine) and the immense need caused by a total immersion in China (not English speaking).
It is certainly true that you REALLY need to learn French if you want to live in France, as, although many French people understand a fair amount of English (particularly the younger generation, who've been around computers since they were in nappies!), very few of them actually speak it, especially in rural areas. The other way of getting to know people is by joining in something where language is not necessarily a barrier. When my husband and I retired to France in 1996, we promptly joined a local choir, as we've always enjoyed singing. We do have the advantage of speaking fairly good French, which has certainly improved over the years, but choir music comes in many languages . We were certainly called on as a useful resource in the pronunciation of English language songs, and only occasionally taken to task for our French pronunciation!
People under estimate how much french you need to integrate. You need to be B2 working towards C1. You need to be almost fluent to chat in a casual way, make friends and integrate for example having an entry level job. You need significant amounts of French. A bit of French isn't enough.
In my French language-learning journey, i've met many other learners who are learning French for that particular reason - they wish to know more French because they eventually do want to move to that area or because they holiday there frequently. I think I said that I have a half-french friend whose grandparents live in that area. Plus, I also watch Comme une Francaise. She is a great teacher who has helped me a lot with my French.
I wanted to share a personal reflection regarding population movements between the United Kingdom and France, particularly in the context of Brexit.
Interestingly, many Britons supported Brexit to fight immigration and regain sovereignty. However, today we are seeing an increasing number of British citizens coming to settle in France. The problem is that most of them don't seem to be making much of an effort to fully integrate. The language barrier is a glaring example: they do not master French and do not always seem to try to learn it, as if France could be perceived as an extension of Britain.
to encourage linguistic and cultural integration. This could undoubtedly facilitate cohabitation and strengthen mutual respect between communities.
Thank you for reading, and I remain open to your thoughts on this subject.
I live in Dordogne and a lot of English people live here. I like English people. They're intelligent, polite and have a sense of humor. It's a bit of a cliché, but it's true
My grandparents come from the Dordogne region. When visiting them, either as a kid or now, you'd always come across the random really beautiful car with a UK license plate.
Overall I'd say the description in the video about the feelings people there have regarding the British is pretty accurate. French people usually like the Brits, particularly in the South-West of the country, which has a closer history to England than the rest of France. There's also a fascination for these rich English folks coming to restore the countless castle/mansions ruins scattered all over the region.
As for the negatives, it's really indeed linked to the language. I have known a kid whose parents had been in France 10 years+ and still couldn't hold a conversation in French, which is a bit of a shame and must definitely be difficult day-to-day. Convertly, making an effort to learn the language and try to integrate is really appreciated.
If it’s on a UK vehicle it can’t be a licence plate. It is a registration plate, which is attributed to a vehicle when it is first registered then remains on the vehicle all of its life.
😍 Good job, guys! Thanks for this. I really like to watch older people on the YT.
Thank you 🫶
I've lived in different continents, including the U.K. I don't like the weather or the food. I much prefer France, having visited there on multiple occasions over the years. I'm willing to learn French in order to integrate. It's a much nicer culture, people and food.
Well, I have been living in the UK for many years and personally prefer the English people :) ( I would not go back to France which has change beyond recognition unfortunately..........:( English are overall more polite and helpful. I agree for the food though :) Good luck with learning French :)
@@helenefrench4275France has change how? Passive aggressiveness isn't considered politeness in France and in many countries. How is the life of people who don't speak English after 25 years in the UK?
even for a french citizen you should know that moving from a region to another in the country can sometimes be really tough .I had
to move from Paris to Marseille during 10 years . Absolutely Horrible no friends absolutely nothing in the area to live for . do not want to shed
crocodile tears but that's reality
being brit or not speaking french do not always account for the difficulty to integrate
They are very nice, but I don't understand how it could be possible to live in a country for 25 years and not speaking the language. This is very very surprising and show a lack of interest for where you are.
English superciliousness. They think the world should adapt to them, not the other way round. Which is why tehy will always be closed off from the majority of the society they live in. Funny that tehy call themselves expats but never immigrants, because "immigrants are poor people from Eastern Europe, and we are something better". F--- English egotism.
No wonder he "can't integrate"
They are stuck up and parochial combined, just like so many English speaking people.
it's even more than that it's actually disrespectful to the country you live in as if the world revolves around english speakers.. (and they're the same people complaining about immigrants not knowing proper english)
Brits do the same in some places in Spain.
I’m a French teacher in La Creuse and I’m happy to say that I’m surrounded by British who really want to learn the language ! I can tell it’s not easy especially when you’re older but it is possible 😉
After some lessons they feel more confident in their everyday life. Most of French people don’t speak English, so in my opinion, you have to learn at least basic sentences.
I say good on them for enjoying the area in their retirement or otherwise. Looks lovely there.
Brits are truly great people. They enjoy all what France can provide.
Welcome in France guys.
They are so cute ^^ welcome in France, please bring Patsy and Edina from the TV show AbFab, we need them too !! 🤣
Are you going to do a cross over episode with Easy French?
As a 38 yr old English guy I would be so happy to live over in France, but rather than the Boomer retirees' southwest region🫢😂probably more likely to Paris or even the Nord region : BUT coming from a society where we typically weren’t encouraged to learn an additional language from young, there is a massive factor of the time commitment and struggle to adopt an entire new language. I am actually more inclined to invest the time in learning German, if even possible at this age, because the pronunciation is much more familiar and the German-speaking countries look very appealing - Have travelled there a lot.
I’m one of those boomers who once worked in Paris. It’s a beautiful city but it’s also a very stressful and expensive one - very much like London. Depending on your skills etc there are plenty of other places in France that are much more attractive from a “quality of life” perspective - eg Toulouse, Bordeaux, Montpelier. And, maybe surprisingly, Lille - especially if you want to be close to the U.K. (and live in a very similar climate!). Many French people would think that a crazy idea because in the past it would be like telling Londoners how wonderful Blackburn and Bolton were, but it’s very much improved and is nowadays a large +3 million metro area that overlaps into Belgium, under an hour from Paris by train and under 2 from London. But you REALLY must speak French - the French are generally helpful and forgiving if your French isn’t great but they really don’t like it if you don’t seem to try, and it is a bit of an insult if you actually live there. And no offence to Germans or Germany, which I have visited many times (it was a German company I used to work for) but it wouldn’t be my choice of way of life and it really isn’t an easier language (grammar especially) despite the shared roots. Bon chance!
I agree with you it always surprises me to say that german is closer to english than french or easier to learn. German has 3 genders, four cases (nominal,accusative,genitive) whereas french only have 2 genders and no cases. More than 60% of english words come from Latin and french. Not so many german ones actually and the sentence construction is very different. Especially complex sentences where the verb comes at the very end. The sounds between german and french, the complicated ones, respectively "r" and "ch" in german but only r in french.
@@PoorNeighbor Well… English may have more French and Latin origin words in the dictionary, but not in daily use. Many studies have shown that daily spoken English, in England, is +70% “Germanic” origin (Anglo Saxon mainly). And I’m not sure that the sounds of French are easier for English speakers either - particularly the vowel sounds eg the differences between “u”, “ou”, and “eu” - two of which English just doesn’t have and need to be learned, complete with unfamiliar mouth shape. Having said all that, I still agree that French is “easier” to learn - but everything is relative!
En tant que français de ma belle normandie ,je souhaite la bienvenue à ces retraités anglais qui veulent finir une vie heureuse dans nos régions, je vous recommande l’orne où j’habite ,cela ressemble à vos comtés du sud de l’Angleterre 🏴🇫🇷
Trop froid, sans racune. Faut aller en dessous de la Charente pour le soleil.
wé, ben je suis de Livarot, et ça serait bien de ne pas trop faire de pub, et les voir se ramener en meute... Au moins, les neerlandais parlent bien français
@@seigneurcanardo7030 Livarot c’est la ou la voiture de Rommel fut mitraillee par la RAF
@@TomBartram-b1c Presque, juste en dessous, vers Vimoutiers... et manqué malheureusement. Et on y fait aussi un fromage qui pue, mais je ne suis pas très fan, je préfère le Camembert.
My take is learning as much language as you can can defensively help you!!!
pour moi les anglais sont vraiment le bien venus ,ils amènent un peu plus de vie dans nos régions agricoles
Hi Mitch. I hope you're doing well! Thanks a bunch for this video. The man who said : "You reap what you sow "is absolutely right and I'd like to add " We're pandering on stereotypes. In my opinion English people are lazy to learn another language because English is the most widely spoken language in the World. Being said, French people are also reluctant to learn English for instance.
Thanks for watching and I hope you are well! I understand that we are lucky to be speaking a common language, and I would love to break the stereotype and have fluent German language skills.
@@EasyEnglishVideos How is your German learning going ? I know "Ja" in German and some words! In Breton language we say"Ya"
This is not true, all French people except the elderly understand and speak basic English
@@marieadriansen2925 You're wrong! I'm 66 years old and I speak English.I know many teenagers and adults who don't speak English or just a basic English.
@@marclozachmeur3629 It's true that there are older people who speak English very well. Everyone has learned English and is able to understand the minimum if they speak slowly with simple words. Many are shy, don't have confidence in themselves and don't dare.
that’s where I live and I have a british parent too
I would so love to move out there, but not be rich, retired or having transferable skills is highly unlikely.
Most British who move to France aren't rich, retired. Many don't have any particular skills and live off social benefits. Granted they arrived before Brexit, I don't know if people can move to France without a job now.
We live ten mins away from Eymet. Our area is more French as opposed to Eymet. Unfortunately even amongst the French it is known as Little Britain. I’m not sure if you also filmed in Miramont de Guyenne which is less than five minutes from us. The market there has far more French people than the Eymet one. As lovely as this area is we find it too quiet for us with not enough transport options. Therefore we’re looking to move elsewhere in the not too distant future.
You need to have a word with your graphic designer about that map. It includes Ireland and we are certainly not Brits. And no, you don’t get off the hook for shading it green 😂
🤣
English, lived in France, 30+ years. You have to learn the basics of French conversation. If you Try, they will welcome you.
French people don’t know much about bbritish culture, only the stereotypes but every nation is self absorbed I guess. I think it’s great that people are moving back to the countryside and bring new life and energy. No one is mad at the brits for that.
How do you know?
As a French Native I'm far from the Folks Picture since I'm Speaking English ( broken ) Thaï and Tibetan but I Agree French are Rarely addict by the Shakespeare Culture ...
On est tellement influencé par la culture anglaise ! Qu’est ce que vous racontez?
Thanks for episode. I am polish who live in Glasgow but One day I will move to France for culture and language reason. And weather of course, priceless;)
You are welcome ! Bienvenue
Maison ✈️
La france et l angleterre, c est un peu l amour vache! On s aime,on se deteste, mais on sait vivre ensemble! 😉
What is the specific region in France, Prowance? Getting from Poland 🙂
@@agroleszek2535 It’s the southwest - a wide area about 100km inland from Bordeaux, Dordogne department (24). Very popular with British tourists and residents - and others, eg Dutch.
The southwest of France is around the city of Biarritz, and on the other side in the south east you have Nice, make your choice ^^
Mostly retired, so most likely mixing with other retirees, who are also English speakers.
I really liked the video, the British and other English speakers should teach English to learn French and integrate into French society.
France offers good languages such as Norman, Picardy, Arpitan, Occitan, Catalan. Anglophones, learning these other languages, integrate very well into French society.
For example in England, in the United Kingdom they speak Norman and Anglo Norman, these languages are French and very much stuck to standard Parisian French, there are no excuses for not learning anything and it is a lack of courage and will, especially living in France for 25, 30 years.
The video is very bashful, polite and cute, showing the affection and love between the British and the French.
Kisses from the heart, collaborate with Easy French and Easy Catalan, Catalan is also spoken in France in the southwest region along with Occitan.
💚💚💚💚💚🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🇨🇵🇬🇧
Portugal has the same superstition about the bread. Not only brings bad luck it also means the people in that house make their money laying on their back aka prostituting… 😄
I didn't know about this superstition in Portugal. Very informative indeed. Thank you
🤭
In france about the bread, my mother was used to tell me :"do not put your bread in the wrong side, people will think you are poor !" 🤣
I'm a French, I live here in France and my dream is to live in England... 😀
Pas impossible :)
Why are they all old?
Traitors😂
I prefer English Food!
un choix courageux
speaking the local language is the absolute minimum you can and should do if you truly want to integrate - at least a bit !!!