I have been in Paris for three months now and feel that my French has greatly improved (though if you do not make the effort it is quite easy to get along speaking only English.) Since I came here determined to learn the language I look for opportunities to practice. I look forward to dinner with my in laws for example because they don’t speak a lick of English. (I even had a cooking lesson from my mil a few weeks ago.) I go to the fresh food market every weekend and have a produce guy that I chat with and have even joined a group for French/English convo. It helps to receive encouragement from people who have seen an improvement. My sister in law says that I have come a long way since arriving because I speak quicker and do not ask her to repeat herself as often as I used to. I have heard the same from my co-workers and have even impressed them with nicely coined phrases. (I take my mini address book with me everywhere I go and I write down all new words or phrases that I learn or dont understand. Surprisingly I remember these phrases easier than the ones I learn in class.) I usually avoid phone conversations at all costs but yesterday for the first time I spent an hour and a half yapping away en Francais. I am proud of myself… can’t wait to get my French on with my hubby! He will be here in 10 days.