A question people ask me quite often about speaking French is, “Do you translate from French to English in your head before speaking?” My honest answer at this point is no and here̵…| Oui In France
As an adult learning a new language, you’ll make all kinds of pronunciation mistakes and some are really funny. My French friend is joining me for this fun video on the most difficult French …| Oui In France
What did I learn the other day? How not to say your dog is a pervert (after telling someone their dog was, thankfully, not a pervert). Not exactly what I was trying to say. So yeahhh, not my finest…| Oui In France
If you’re learning French, congrats! Do you want to sound a little more natural? I’m sharing 3 of my French pronunciation tips with you today.| Oui In France
Next time you’re having a conversation with someone in French and one of these words below comes up, use the shortened form. Here are French words you can shorten.| Oui In France
C’est la rentrée! It’s back-to-school time in France! The first day back for students at all public schools nationwide is Monday, September 1, 2025, and along with that comes school sup…| Oui In France
As a native English speaker who has worked in international environments and who started learning French as an adult, I’m very familiar with accents — both my own and those of others. I…| Oui In France
Ready for a big ol’ list? Here’s a diverse and fascinating list of 100 things a tourist might see in the U.S. but not typically in France… spanning culture, food, habits, infrastr…| Oui In France
There’s a misconception that people have about becoming fluent. It doesn’t magically happen just by living in a country where the language is spoken. Will you be fluent in French after …| Oui In France
Every now and then, the French language tickles me when I come across a fun-to-pronounce word or a word that’s just delightful to my ear. The other day, Tom and I were watching a news problem…| Oui In France
A real marker of progress is when native French speakers stop complimenting you on your French. That’s when you know you’ve majorly improved. Here’s why compliments mean you aren&…| Oui In France
I admit that I’m easily impressed, but even the most discerning traveler will fall in love with everything the Charente-Maritime has to offer. Let me tell you about our visit to the Marais Po…| Oui In France
Single and looking for a little excitement? Bored of your American mate? Well, you should really marry a French guy like I did.| Oui In France
When you have an accent in your second language, which most of us do if we started learning it as an adult, people sometimes react to you differently. Sometimes it’s good and sometimes itR…| Oui In France
No matter how compassionate or empathetic you are, sometimes the only way to truly understand something is to experience it for yourself. I never really considered what life might be like for someo…| Oui In France
When you’re in France and need to converse with French people, all your classroom learning gets very real. Here’s how to use context when speaking French.| Oui In France
Bonjour, tout le monde! I’m coming to you today with a guest post from one of my readers all about rural French life. American-born Trish Jasinski moved to Paris in 2008, taking advantage of an opportunity for a job transfer. She spent much of her career in marketing, working for large international companies and spent ... Read More about What living in rural France did to my mindset, routine & happiness The post What living in rural France did to my mindset, routine & happiness appeared fi...| Oui In France
Moving abroad is often painted as an adventure full of excitement, fresh starts, travel, and a fairytale life (thanks social media). And while all of that can be true, what you don’t hear as much a…| Oui In France
I’ve always liked going grocery shopping and even after 10 years in France, I still get excited to go to the French grocery store. I always find new (or new to me) products to try and it neve…| Oui In France
If you live abroad, you’ve undoubtedly missed foods from home. The brands and food products we grew up with aren’t always available outside the U.S. and that is certainly true here in F…| Oui In France
Sometimes you try a food and know the minute it hits your taste buds that it’s something you’re never going to have again. Here’s my list of 5 weird French foods I won’t tou…| Oui In France
If you’re anything like me, after living in a country where English isn’t the native language, you’ll start to a notice a phenomenon that I like to call “WTF is going on!?&#…| Oui In France
Here’s why you need to get over your fear of speaking in a foreign language. It’s holding you back.| Oui In France
Considering TAPIF. WAIT! Here’s my list of must-know pros and cons of the teaching assistant program in France along with some info about what it is exactly and what to expect. Not everyone&#…| Oui In France
If you’ve spent any time with a French person, you’ve probably fallen in love with noticed their cool accent. Americans (maybe just me??) are suckers for a foreign accent and French acc…| Oui In France
If you’ve spent any time learning French, I know you’ll relate to what I have to say in this post. Language learning is no joke and you’ll have good days and bad. Sometimes you…| Oui In France
Do French people hug? Curious about hugging in France? I’m talking about all of that in this post about hugging in France and why it’s not a part of French culture in the same way as it…| Oui In France
What does putain mean in French? We’ll talk about if cursing in French is OK in professional settings and in French culture. When speaking French, putain is a word you need to know even if yo…| Oui In France
Hello! Tom’s here today with his latest installment of his series on my blog called Ask Tom Tuesdays. We’re taking a closer look at ooh la la in French. Do the French actually say this …| Oui In France
Learning another language to the point of being self-sufficient in a country where that language is spoken can be one of the most rewarding — yet frustrating — challenges of life abroad…| Oui In France
Super cool French expat blogger in the USA Mathilde tweeted a post from another French expat blogger also in the US, Sarah of SarahContePhilly, that caught my eye. It was all about French fals…| Oui In France
As a foreigner learning French, I’ve picked a few of these little things along the way and am sharing these language learning tips to make your French more natural. With my tips, you’ll…| Oui In France
Ask anyone what foods France is known for and I’m sure the word baguette will tumble out of their mouth first or right after Brie or escargots. A French meal is not complete without a perfect…| Oui In France
These pesky French cheek kisses are the norm but as an outsider, sometimes you’ll just be confused… and rightfully so. They ARE confusing. Here’s a video explaining it all.| Oui In France
There’s something about French guys… and you just want to hear what they have to say! I’m often asked what my husband thinks about American culture, food, the people and more. Cur…| Oui In France
Before moving to France, I had SO many ideas about what French people were like. Some were based on movies, also my high school trip to France as a teen where our group was actually spit on by a dr…| Oui In France
Life in France isn’t perfect—no place is—but there are some genuine upsides that have made my life a lot less stressful. I don’t sugarcoat things around here or paint France as some kind of utopia …| Oui In France
No one decides to start learning a foreign language one day, follows a magic formula for language learning, stays super motivated throughout the whole process, and then miraculously speaks just lik…| Oui In France
After living in France for over four years now, I’ve learned that your accent is only an obstacle if you allow it to become one. Most of the time having an accent in French is a good thing! L…| Oui In France
Moving abroad to France was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Although moving to another country is rewarding in so many ways, I’m the first to admit it hasn’t been easy. …| Oui In France
How long does it take to learn French? This question is problematic and I’m talking about why. Language learning isn’t linear. And it doesn’t have an end date. Let’s dive in…| Oui In France
But then there’s the whole other side of foreign accents. When people say critical things to someone who speaks with a foreign accent. Sometimes they do this without realizing it, but most of…| Oui In France
Even if you consider yourself fluent in French or pretty close to it, certain situations will still send shivers down your spine (or maybe it’s just me). Situations like what, you ask? Here&#…| Oui In France
Moving to France comes with plenty of expectations—the fact that we’ll be learning French, seeing stunning architecture everywhere, visiting some of the world’s best museums, eating gre…| Oui In France
When learning a new language, it can be difficult to find language partners with whom to practice — especially if you don’t live in a country where that language is spoken. So if you ne…| Oui In France
I’ve been living in France now for over 5 years, and little by little, it’s been changing me. These changes have crept up on me, and now looking back, I’ve noticed some distinct a…| Oui In France
I had a really, really hard time understanding spoken, spontaneous French outside the classroom. For anyone learning French, I’m here to tell you to forget all the grammar and writing exercis…| Oui In France
When speaking a foreign language, how do you approach the pronunciation of words in your native language? Or the opposite situation… when you’re speaking your native language and foreig…| Oui In France
Embarking on the journey of French fluency is an adventure worth taking, but it’s not without its challenges. If you’ve been at it long enough, you’ve definitely felt bored or unmotivated at …| Oui In France
In the 7 years I’ve lived in France, I’ve seen my fair share of bad tourist behavior from people who don’t know anything about etiquette in France. Here are the 3 top France trave…| Oui In France
When I first came to France, I’d hear people cheerily greet each other with “coucou” and I didn’t think it was French at first. To me, coucou in French sounded like a cuckoo…| Oui In France
One of the most entertaining parts of my everyday life in France is when I mess up words. I think I’m more amused by it than the person I’m talking to, but hey if we can’t laugh a…| Oui In France
Sometimes when you’re learning a language, you focus on all the wrong things. Like maybe focusing too much on perfect pronunciation. Or trying to expand your vocabulary before you have the ba…| Oui In France
Language learning is a fascinating process, especially at the beginning stages when you know next to nothing about the language you’re studying. You learn so many interesting things, and even…| Oui In France
When visiting France, one of the first things you’ll notice after interacting with shopkeepers, cashiers and pretty much anyone is that you’ll be bombarded with hellos, thank yous, have…| Oui In France
I moved to France in 2012 and you know what they say about hindsight being 20/20. You’ve heard the saying “you live, you learn” and I believe every choice I’ve made has led me to where I am n…| Oui In France
Do you know how the French write numbers? Let’s talk about how to write numbers in French. There are a few slight differences between the way Americans and the French write numbers. Let me sh…| Oui In France
Maybe you’re heading to France soon or you just moved here. Congrats! But getting up to speed culturally can be a bit of a challenge. To that end, let me save you from majorly embarrassing yo…| Oui In France
The other day while scrolling on social media, I saw a post from a woman looking to connect with people who have moved to France. She enthusiastically said she is moving to France because she “just loves everything about it!” And that one simple phrase let me know she’s not ready to move to France. ... Read More about Why saying you “love everything about France” means you’re not ready to move The post Why saying you “love everything about France” means you’re not ready to m...| Oui In France
Bonjour tout le monde! I was in the U.S. visiting family for Thanksgiving and the longer I live in France, the more I realize that reverse culture shock is truly a thing. I’m originally from NJ, bu…| Oui In France
Thinking of moving to France? You’re not alone. I was in your shoes back in the day. But before you pack your bags, there are a bunch of points to consider and some might even fall into the c…| Oui In France
By now, you’ve probably read this popular CNN article that has been shared extensively over the past couple of weeks. It features an American couple in their mid-70s who moved to France from …| Oui In France
If you’re a Francophile, then you know that Christmas is the perfect time to add a little French flair to your holiday decor. After all, nothing says “Joyeux Noël” like a Christmas tree…| Oui In France
Let me start with a story that I don’t think I’ve ever shared here. Several years before I moved to France, an older, well-traveled friend warned me about the French. I had plans to go …| Oui In France
Ever wonder about American and French social differences? They are definitely something that needs to be discussed so Tom is here today filling us in.| Oui In France
A great way to improve your foreign language speaking skills is to converse with native speakers, but what do you do when they keep switching to English? How can you practice if people never respon…| Oui In France
A relaxing, stress-free trip can get stressful when you’re not able to communicate, so to help you out, I’ve put together some of the most useful French travel phrases for your trip to …| Oui In France
While standing in line at a Paris Ladurée over the weekend, I observed one tourist after another launch right into English when addressing the employees of the famed macaron shop. I’d hear a variat…| Oui In France
Bonjour, mes amis! Are you planning a trip to France soon? While you may be excited to immerse yourself in French culture, keep in mind that there are certain tourist behaviors that might raise eye…| Oui In France
Over the years on my blog and YouTube channel, I’ve talked about French social norms and mentioned that small talk isn’t as prevalent in France. The French make a distinction between th…| Oui In France
Curious about the meaning of bonjour? You don’t have to spend more than a couple of days in France to notice that bonjour is said all the time and for good reason. A simple hello is the magic…| Oui In France
French culture is known for its elegance, delicious food, and rich history. However, some of the customs and habits that are commonplace in France may come across as rude or off-putting to American…| Oui In France
75 Beginner France Travel Tips for a Standout Trip Bonjour, tout le monde! I’m so excited to launch my eGuide titled “75 Beginner France Travel Tips for a Standout Trip.” The down…| Oui In France
If you grow up in one area of the world, you become very accustomed to how to behave socially there. You know what’s normal and what’s a no-no. Upon visiting other areas of the world, w…| Oui In France
The best antidote for someone who’s stuck in their ways is to move abroad. You’ll realize your habits aren’t part of your DNA and you’re more adaptable than you thought. I’ve had the pleasure…| Oui In France
One of my readers left a comment that got me thinking. Julie wrote, “What is it about France that allows us to slow down and really appreciate the smaller things in life? I find I get excited…| Oui In France
Social norms in France can catch foreigners by surprise if they don’t know what little words to use where. Here are the top 5 polite French words and phrases you need to learn to fit in when …| Oui In France
I’m a big fan of making pros and cons lists. When I’m grappling with a decision, I’ve been known to whip out a notebook, make two columns, and list out as many pros and cons as po…| Oui In France
Everything is constantly changing around us, including the people. Our environment factors in to how we adapt and evolve and sometimes it’s for the best. I’ve been in France now for 5 y…| Oui In France
Since 2012, I’ve regaled you with tons of content (this is my 953rd post!) including mistakes I’ve made over the years as a foreigner in France. I’ve told you about 45 things I di…| Oui In France
Moving to France has been one of my best life decisions… and also the one where I’ve made the most mistakes. From adapting to French culture to figuring out simple grocery shopping, I’d like …| Oui In France
When I first moved to France, I thought I had a pretty good grasp of food. After all, I grew up in the NYC metro area where you can find a huge variety of cuisines and ingredients from all over the…| Oui In France
Numbers are supposed to be universal, right? They’re the language of math and that transcends language. Easy peasy. Well, that’s what I thought until I moved to France and found myself surprised by…| Oui In France
In a perfect world, we’d move to France, study French a little bit, magically just “pick up” the language by being immersed in it, and then speak perfect French two weeks later ju…| Oui In France
Welcome to July’s myth of the month! Everyone has heard the stereotype that the French are rude. Snobby. Too proud. Critical. Yeah, all that. Maybe you’ve even experienced it for y…| Oui In France
It’s time for September’s myth of the month! Today we’re looking at the language abilities of the French — specifically English. So do French people speak English? It’…| Oui In France
You don’t have to go to France to know that the French take mealtime seriously. From seeking out quality ingredients to cooking from scratch to long, leisurely Sunday lunches, French eating h…| Oui In France
The world would be a boring place if we were all the same. Learning about cultural differences is fascinating and fun. But sometimes it can be confusing, especially when cultural differences come a…| Oui In France
Now it’s 2016 and I find myself living in a small town once again — just across the Atlantic ocean this time. How does it compare? And what can my adult self appreciate about small-town…| Oui In France
