I’m going to a small town in France for the year, and I have the option of living with a family who doesn’t speak English. I’ve been taking French classes for a few years now, but I’m certainly not at an advanced or even intermediate level of conversation. My entire reason for studying abroad is to become fluent in French, but I’m worried about how hard it would be during the first few months to live with a family that doesn’t speak my language at all. Has anyone ever done this? Do you learn the language faster? Is this a good idea?
I shared an apartment with a group of German students, who knew only a word here or there of English. It was the best environment for learning the language that I could have found. They became friends, accepted me, and were generous with their time to explain things. I barely spoke German, perhaps at the intermediate level, and left fluent.
You will have difficulty at first to communicate, but it will come quickly and will demand more from you, which you will find, probably to your surprise. ALso, you will experience more of the culture if they don’t speak English.
You are about to embark on a great adventure. Definitely go with the family that doesn’t speak English is my advice.