The French have not traditionally had a good reputation for foreign languages. Any more than they have for welcoming non-French speakers with open arms.
Now, however, it seems more and more are keen to try their hand at English.
It is a trend that has been catching the attention of quite a few travellers to France, who instead of getting a workout in French, have found themselves struggling to get a French word in edgeways.
This took English psychotherapist Ferne Manniex by surprise on a recent trip to Paris.
“I found it a little disappointing,” she said. “Whenever I tried to speak French, people would recognise that I was English and rescue me by speaking English.
“It was strange because I know that I'm proficient in French as I have an A-Level qualification in it.”
Rather than take it as a personal affront, it occurred to her the learning curve is two-way.
“Perhaps the French enjoy practising their English and are excited to try, in the same way I was excited to practise my French.
“Either way, I really appreciated their concern and willingness to help out, but it did take the shine off a little.”
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A modern problem
This was unheard of when I first moved to France in the late 1990s. It was only around 2018 that I noticed a change was underway, specifically in the hospitality industry.
A decade earlier, French hoteliers had to look to other nationalities to find young English-speaking hotel workers, given the poor English skills among the French.
English has never been a French forte, particularly compared to polyglot neighbours such as the Dutch, the Danes and Germans.
An Ipsos study in 2019 conducted for language learning academy Wall Street English declared “the French have a poor level of English”. Only 8% considered their level of understanding “satisfactory”.
This forced holidaying foreigners to make conversation in French. And the most common complaint you would hear was how, despite their best efforts, they got nothing but scorn in return.
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More young French people speak English
Now the tables have turned, with a marked rise in the number of younger French people, especially, who are proficient at speaking English.
In a survey of over-18-year-olds, French polling institute IFOP found more than a quarter of respondents (28%) said they understand and speak English.
This is up from 18% around 2005, said the director of opinion at the institute, Jérôme Fourquet.
“The dynamics of the English language within French society can be explained mainly by a generational effect. Some 48% of 18-24-year-olds say they understand and speak English, including 14% fluently, compared to only 15% of people aged 65 and over.”
Beyond the generational divide, he said, learning English also comes down to individual means.
“It is favoured the more one progresses socially – 23% of executive parents say they have already paid for English lessons for their children.”
Other than travel, the Ipsos study found that speaking with bilingual people and watching films were the most common ways most young French people learn English.
And social media must also be playing a part – both as a learning tool and motivation to master the language.
According to Ipsos, 93% of young people today “consider it important or even essential to master English in studies, work or everyday life”.
Read more: Five tips for learning to speak French in later life
Where can I practise my French?
So where should you head to avoid all those slick young English speakers in France and have a chance to practise your fledgling French?
For a start, you will be far less likely to encounter aspiring polyglots in the provincial towns and smaller cities, said Dottie Akers Thompson, a former French teacher, from Nashville.
“If you want to speak French, get out of Paris and into charming French-run small hotels in villages like Gordes, St-Rémy, Ribeauville and even Strasbourg. Don’t stay at Hiltons, Best Westerns etc. that cater to Americans and Britons, nor shop in places that cater to those markets.”
Even in Paris, you can head to the less touristic arrondissements, steering clear of the 2ème, 4ème and 6ème, said Amie King from St Louis.
“However, last time I stayed in the 15ème and was by myself, everyone spoke French to me and allowed me to speak French back. It was great because I was there to practise my French!”
If your interlocutor insists on using English, do not panic.
“One approach would be to let them continue in English and you continue in French,” suggested Rita Thieme from New Hampshire on a Paris tips Facebook group.
“When I continued responding in French, they quickly answered in kind and we continued on in French,” found another contributor.
And the approach of a retired Tennessee French teacher, who prefers to be identified only as Cindy, works a charm: “I never take offence. I always make a point of complimenting them (in French) on their proficiency. They glow when I do.
“I think they just want to practise their English as much as we want to practise our French. After all, that's the best way to get better.”
