Karen_Ian

I'm sure I'll read le Bal. I recommend Irène Némirovsky also. Having read Suite Française last week I went to the library and got 'Chaleur du Sang' (sure that's the title!) - quite short but good also. Though written a long time ago the story and people are very alive. I also borrowed her 1st novel 'David Golder' so looking forward to reading it.

These are the people you need to register with... http://www.lamaisondesartistes.fr/ It's easy enough from what I remember - I'm sure there's a form online. Then they'll send you a form to fill out once a year, you can only fill it in once you've had your tax form cos you have to send a copy of it. We were unsure the first year so went to the tax office and they were very helpful (tho not very used to deaing with artists!) It's my partner who registered and unfortunately being an artist in France doesn't pay the bills....

Wow thanks for that...didn't know anything about it. I shall certainly be looking into it - though trying to get the mileage figures for last year will be a bit of a job. I'd best get something set up now for this year. Thanks for the links Karen

Thanks for all the comments - and the better link! Yes, I agree Simon Hoggart is a good writer and as the Sat guardian was always a 'treat' for us (no sunday papers for us!) we still read it on line and so spotted it ourselves. Amazingly we'd only sent it to him last Mon! And a copy went off to Matt Lucas this morning! Great minds eh? Thanks again. I'm really delighted for him.

Hi, I just wanted to share our pleasure with you...my partner has written a book (french linked) and if you read the link below (about half way down the page look for the name Ian Andrews) Simon Hoggart mentioned it in the Guardian this weekend! WOW! http://politics.guardian.co.uk/columnist/story/0,,1962240,00.html Karen

Christine, that's a great sight...I've found lots of other goodies on there I'm going to try. thanks!

Hi, I've searched the forum for info on this and would just like some clarity as it seems some people have had sight checks at the opticians rather then the opthalmologist. I've been here 2 years and think it's time I had my sight checked. I wear contacts and have no other health probs with my eyes. I want to 1) check if my vision has changed and 2) have a french prescription so I can be reimbursed. I rarely wear my glasses, so if I feel I need to change the glasses lenses I'll arrange it cheap on the internet not worried about reimbursing that - it's the constant supply of contact lenses I want covered! Anyway, those of you who have done it...opticians or opthalmologist? Want to be sure I've the right before phoning! thanks

Thanks for both your answers. the plan is to look after a friends' two kids from 5 to 7.30 two evenings a week, therefore giving them tea and helping with homework. I think I'll have to go down the cheque-d'emploi route as I'm not registered with anyone and I've no career plans in this direction. My friend is doing a course next year and needs a helping hand, as a one off no pay would be involved but as a regular thing for a year we need to come to some arrangement so neither of us feel exploited. thanks for any further advice

Sorry, it's not an education question but I thought you've all kids/ interests so would know...what's the going rate for childminding 2 kids (7/8yrs)? What do you pay? What would you pay? thanks

Nadia, I'll pm you with a fuller reply but no we didn't have jobs before we moved but we did have funds to keep us going while we improved our french and found them. Yes, we are enjoying our new life and it was worth it, but we came looking to change our life, not to continue with the over-worked life we had in the UK. Karen

Nadia, Not impossible but you have to be prepared for lots of letters and a wait. My partner and I (both teachers in the UK), with reasonable french but still working on it, have taught at various places through doing the following: write to all the lycées in your area, the Inspection Aca, associations and even the temp agencies. So i've been a replacement teacher in a public lycée (fashion) through a direct letter to them and now I'm an intervenante d'anglais for 8-11yr olds after writing to the Insp and waiting a term for them to respond! My partner has taught english in a public collège (it wasn't for him), did private holiday teaching for some kids, he's done/ doing evening classes for adults (which demands lots of prep) and is also an english assist in a lycée (that came through a temp agency!) which is less prep but less pay too. We've both turned down teaching work. We know we're not 'in' the system as proper teachers, but at the minute we're happy with these supporting roles and we can always apply (do the tests, jump the loops etc) to change that in the future. Oh and as you've got the language teaching experience that's already a plus as we've built ours up here. On the IT side a friend (with french like mine) found a job as an infographiste so jobs are possible, but it wasn't the level of job she was used to. Her (french) partner is currently looking in the IT field and each job that comes up is being swamped with applicants. They're in the north west and they're thinking they'll have to move regions to find something suitable for the two of them. Good luck Karen

If you register as unemployed the l'afpa courses will be free and you may even get paid for doing them. You have to take a letter from l'anpe to them to show that it's been advised you work on your french. it's worth registering as there may be other free courses on offer in your area.

Hi, As well as our ideas which have already been mentioned...put up a sign in the village/supermarket/where ever offering to swap english conversation for french. If you're thinking of looking for work at some point, get yourself registered as unemployed and ask for help with your french. There may be courses you can go to or you could do the home-study courses from l'afpa. I've done courses with them now for 7 months and that has helped my written french alot. Is there a keep-fit class or something nearby? Going to that certainly improved my french for parts of the body! And of course there's chat before hand. Good luck

Mike, thanks for your reply and links. I couldn't find 'logic board' in the glossary links so does that mean I'm safe to assume they are both the same thing, but it just has 2 names to confuse non techie people like me! Thanks Karen

Hiya, Does anyone know if the 'logic board' (english) is the same thing as the 'carte mère' (french) - or are they 2 completely different things within my computer? Thanks

Hi, We've the opportunity to do some translating but haven't done it before so have no idea how much to charge or how (by time or words etc) or really how long it would take. It's a long technical manual - if that makes a difference. Any advice would be welcome. If in happens we'll then worry about the next bit (and look at other posts) re living in france/paid by a uk company! Thanks

Hi, Has anyone been asked to provide a certificate du travail? Or have you asked someone for one? If so what info is on it? I've been asked today to provide one (I know I should have clarified what was expected to be on it...but too many other things going on!) - as it's supporting copies of pay slips I guess it's proving I was employed, for how long, earning x etc. I'm asking a UK ex-employer to provide this certificate so any info would be useful as I don't think they'll know what to put on it otherwise..! Thanks

Yes in our region it's ASSEDIC first then ANPE! Re money I agree with Teamedup, until he's worked in France (900 odd hours is it? I know there's another post re this) he won't get any money. Especially as he's under 25 and french families are expected to support their offspring if they've no work. Re the french courses - yes, they are available. We're having 9 hrs a week but the level of the french is determined by the group members and we've lots of beginners so we're not being pushed - but any french is good so we keep going and we'll receive a written evaluation at the end we can show to employers if needed. In our region they're 12 weeks long so it'll depend where in the cycle it is as to how long he has to wait. I think if people still need support after that other french courses are available but in our group that will only be available to those who only knew Bonjour at the start and so have still a long way to go. Other training courses are available with ANPE but it'll depend on his level of french and current skills level.

Ooops! I didn't mean to cause any worries. You're right, they've probably been well worked! I agree the book seems good and I'll probably go for this if nothing better is recommended but I'd prefer CDs instead of tapes as I've had annoying 'echos' on other tapes in the past.

Has anyone any recommendations for books/tapes/CDs to help improve pronunication? I know mine needs improving and while I talk as much as possible to those around me and repeat things from the tv/radio I'd like a more structured home study package. I've looked on amazon (uk and fr) and while some books look interesting, I really want something with a tape/CD I can copy and do excercises with. I borrowed 'phonétique progressive du français' from our local library but the tape quality was terrible which puts me off buying it. Any recommendations before I part with my euros! Thanks Karen

I agree with what others have written, your letter of motivation and CV will immediately give the employer a rough guide to your level of french. If they're interested in your other skills then an interview will confirm, or not, your ability to cope with the language. I've no official qual in french but have just put on my CV I'm fair at reading, writing, speaking. I'm currently doing a replacement in a lycée and to be honest I don't think I have the spoken skills, I hoped I had but day to day living french is very different to teaching a subject in french with it's own specialist language. At the interview I was very honest about my level of spoken french, though it's pretty evident as soon as I start speaking! But for them my technical skills and having someone in the classroom so the students can progress and not lose this time were obviously more important then my ability to explain it in perfect french. Before anyone is too worried about these poor students, it's only for 3 weeks and I'm teaching sewing so lots is done through demos - thankfully! While a qualification may help you feel more confident with your language I think my point is it just depends on what else you have to offer. The employer probably takes it for granted you have french if you're applying for a post so in my opinion (and this is the first time I worked in France so others may correct me), it's your other skills they'll be wanting the proof of / certificates for.

Hi, Am I the only one to be amazed at the type of indepth questions asked on job hunting forms? ie number securite sociale; my partners job/ dob/ and salary; profession of my parents (and sisters/brothers) - ok this one is facultatif; my car details, reg and mileage; job and salary details I can understand (though I've no idea what the annual turnover was of the companies I worked for.) My last employers in the UK didn't have lots of this info and I'd been with them 5 years. To me some of this info seems in bit indepth especially for this stage as no interview is even arranged - but I need a job so I'll complete it. It just surprises me. Anyone else? Anyway a question - salary aspirations. My belief is that salaries in the UK are more then here in France so I don't want scare anyone by stating my last wage (not that it was big but hopefully you know what I mean!). As I've seen no examples of equiv wages for my profession here has anyone a rough rule of thumb? ie salaries are x% of the Uk or what do teachers/ professionals get here? I'm going to ANPE later this week so I'll ask them as well but interested in your responses/ experiences. Thanks Karen

Hi, We're currently looking at how to register as an artist and have read the posts we can find here (though one was mentioned in another post but the search and trawling through the pages didn't find it) which have lead us to look at the Maison des Artistes. Is this really the best way? And do they have 'partners' in the regions as I think it'd be better if we could talk to someone to ensure we are going down the best route and while I'd love a trip to Paris it's not practical. Or is it something we're better asking about at ANPE? We'd be interested to know of other peoples experience in registering (and being an artist) if anyone is willing to share here or contact us privately. Thanks alot Karen + Ian

Hi, Here's a link to the anpe websight who give useful CV advice and show many examples. http://www.anpe.fr/espace_candidat/guides_pour_agir/preparer_sa_recherche/realiser_un_bon_cv_343.html Mine is 2 pages long and my partners 1 page. I think 1 page is good but 2 pages are still ok, I just couldn't reduce it any more! Good luck Karen

Thanks for your confirmation SaligoBay, I'd not read the other 2 responses before I headed off to ASSEDIC, which is probably just as well as you've both had different experiences! All went well at ASSEDIC, so registered there and ANPE next stop. Karen