They're really different. I think I have already mentioned that while in the UK people generally find a private teacher for their instrument, or do it through a school scheme, here there are municipal music school, conservatoires and so on. The situation is a little more complex than I had first understood, because the schools vary in the rigidity of their organisation: the most, the conservatoires, next the municipals, then the associations. Our music school is an association, but it tends to apply the standards of the municipal schools with its programme of cycles, etc. Britain - grade 1 to 8, grade 8 being roughly equivalent to A-level, pre university/conservatoire. France - 3 cycles, each taking about 4 years, with 3ème cycle being roughly equivalent to grade 8. Theory of music - UK to take grade 8 you need theory grade 5. In France you study theory alongside your instrumental studies, very slowly. Catrin's flute music is MUCH more difficult than the stuff she does in theor...
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I am reliably informed that even when the Freebox arrives this does not necessarily mean that our phone will work or that the internet will be available.
In fact I believe the internet has to be working for us to get the phone going.
I also think that there is an ADSL signal reaching the house already - at least my modem says there is one.. We'll see..
Still - we'll get there eventually.. (periods of "three weeks" were mentioned by my reliable informer...)