Running a business in France means we often get interesting and sometimes alarming things in the post, like the time they made a mistake with our social charges calculations and sent a bill for 20,000€. Now that was a fun day! This week the local chamber of commerce sent Ade a letter offering him free English lessons. It explained that English was very useful in business and they have a course on offer that will help in all business situations from talking on the telephone, to holding a meeting, to project management and understanding contracts. I probably won't sign him up but I do wonder how much interest there will be in our out-of-the way rural area.
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| Free business English lessons offered |
A similar scheme has been offered at Ed's school, again by the chamber of commerce, offering French, maths and IT help for parents. As my spoken French is passable but my written and grammar could do with some more work I jumped at the chance and put my name down. I received a letter giving me the date of the first meeting, organised to give us more information and asses what we wanted. However on the day of the meeting I was called by the headmistress to say they had to cancel, as I was the only parent attending! I am sure not all of the parents are able do their child's maths homework and I know many of Ed's friends don't have a computer at home or computer literate parents, so I think it is sad people aren't taking advantage of free help when it is on offer. I can only hope they do get more interest and reschedule it, although I wouldn't mind one to one French lessons. What about you? Would you take up an offer like this?
Free French lessons are offered near here in Le Blanc, for a certain period of time and then you have to pay. I attempted to get on the course when I arrived but they didn't have a beginners class at the time. I did swap lessons for VA services for a while with someone nearby, but he vanished to Belgium and he wasn't very reliable. I have recently (nearly 18 months later) found French lessons in Chauvigny, I have to pay but the group is good. The teacher told me a couple of weeks ago that she used to have 3 full groups running each week, but now it's down to 1 and an average of 3 people there each week. I think maybe the expat intake is getting smaller...?
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the lessons Jo, you should learn lots in such a nice small group!
DeleteYou've got to hand it to the Chambre de Commerce - the amount of courses they run is fantastic! As hoteliers, we were always being invited on free seminars. Of course, the one we really wanted to do (a tour of local artisan food producers with free samples thrown in!) was always run in the summer when we were too busy to attend. Tant pis!
ReplyDeleteWow I wish we had a local food producers tour, so much better than Engish lessons! I would jump at that.
DeleteI definitely would go to the French lessons. I probably would skip the math though.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I was only putting my name down for French!
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