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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We said, "No, we're not from England, we're from Scotland."
His reply was a very French, nonchalant, "It's the same thing."
Grrrrrrrrrrr...
Je cherche Léa passion véterinaire no. 1 pour DS.
Vous n'êtes pas Français ? ( I probably said numéro un when it is une, or vice versa. I get very gender confused sometimes. One guy once was baffled about what diesel pump I had used because I said numéro un when any fule kno that all pumps are girls. - Either that or my red jumper gave me away. Wear black always everywhere all over. )
Non.
He switched to English - and to be honest I had more problems understanding his English then he my French....
Je ne suis pas Anglais non plus.
Ah bon. Et vous parlez français vachement bien.
Why the guilt, then ? Well because he probably gets less practice with his English than I get with my French, and it is a bit unrealistic to expect him to grapple with our historic and poliical complexity, really.