“Bonne Année” everyone!!

We’re excited about this new start of the year at French Accent Magazine as we strive to continue to provide you with interesting and resourceful articles on topics which will help you to understand and appreciate French life and culture as well as to give you opportunities to improve your French in the process. So far, the feed-back on the first issue of French Accent has been very positive and encouraging! The readers find it useful, interesting and resourceful. Since we’ve received comments for one issue only, we are looking forward to getting more comments and suggestions with this current January issue. Feed-back is extremely important to us as we want to continue to serve as best we can the expatriate community in France and anyone learning French wherever they may be. Again, if you would like additional information on any given topic, please send us an email. We will take all requests or comments seriously and will respond as soon as we can.

At the beginning of December, we made the decision to make French Accent Magazine free and readily accessible either on line or in pdf format in order to make it available to anyone around the world! You might ask, “How will you get any compensation for all the work involved in putting the magazine together?” We would like to offer advertising space in the magazine and websites to companies and individuals who cater to expatriates. Since French Accent is free, do not hesitate to send a copy to your friends and suggest that they sign up for it on the website.

The underlying theme for the January issue has been to encourage and motivate the expatriates in France to make more meaningful contact with the French locals and to provide some helpful suggestions on how to go about it. Some expatriates, disappointed because they were not able to make friends or develop an active social life in France, end up moving back to their former countries of residence. Depending on where you live or visit, the French can at first seem to be rather reserved. Actually, they are either a bit shy about approaching foreigners or simply not used to doing so. Usually, taking the first step and inviting your neighbours or other locals to your home is all it takes to break the ice and begin a more enjoyable and satisfying interaction with them. The French love to be invited and will nearly always invite you back!! Most of us want to feel integrated and have a social life, so just take the initiative and act! You won’t regret it. That’s our message and our hope for this issue!

Discover, enjoy and learn….

Please send us your comments, criticisms and suggestions. The main purpose of this magazine is to help you adapt better to life in France… Help us to help you! And as of the 2nd issue, we will be pleased to publish your letters. Don’t hesitate to write to us! editor@frenchaccentmagazine.com