British cannot cast first language stone
I found your article about how terrible the French are at teaching and speaking English a bit of a cheek ( Solving a problem like teaching languages in France , November edition).
As a French national who taught French in Britain for 40 years, I can tell you the Brits should keep quiet about others鈥� inability to learn languages.
As to the way French teachers mark pupils鈥� work, so-called 鈥渘egative marking鈥�, it beats having to give a mark to reward the pupil for having written their name on the paper.
Furthermore they, and their parents, show no interest in languages because 鈥渆verybody speaks English鈥�. In France, English is compulsory up to the age of 18 and most students study two languages.
I now live in France and I am appalled by so-called 鈥渆xpats鈥� not interested in learning French! I offer lessons in my area, which is full of retired Britons and have no students. Put your own house in order before you criticise others.
Daniele Lebreton-Travis, Morbihan
Editor鈥檚 note: The article referred to is an interview with one of the authors of a report on the future of language teaching in France, which was commissioned by the French Ministry of Education. You can read it by clicking here.
Daniele Lebreton-Travis wins the Connexion letter of the month for September 2018 and a copy of the Connexion Puzzle Book.
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