EXPERT
faith that things will work out and that you will all get through it.” Laura studied anthropology
Clockwise from above: Helena and Isaak enjoy a break in Arras; Helena with friends; the family on a skiing trip
moving, she says: “Make sure you off er support and learn about the French school system in advance. In addition, help your kids keep in touch with their friends back in the UK. Our move was defi nitely worth it. I’ve got two languages and two cultures and I can learn from both.”
MOVING SOUTH Laura Letchford, now 21, arrived in southwest France as a 12-year-old. “I’m an only child and it was always Dad’s dream to move here,” she says. “When we fi nally did, I had the worst possible mind- set. I was dreading it and was very upset. I joined the school in sixième (year 7) three weeks before the summer holidays. The idea was to meet people but I spoke very basic French and it was terrifying. Back in Somerset, a French boy joined our school and we all thought he was so cool. I thought it would be like that for me, but it wasn’t.” Laura made a couple
of friends as her French improved, and adds: “I had a great teacher who translated all the lessons for me, but I
was bullied and I hated it. When we moved away from the town to the countryside after two years, I was accepted more easily at my new middle school and I became fl uent
after about four years. Having a French boyfriend for two years defi nitely helped with that!” Laura’s mum Jan advises parents moving
with older children to be prepared for it to be emotionally challenging. “We did as much research as we could, but I wish I’d learned more French to support Laura. You also need to be ready to make changes if your child needs it,” she says. “Once Laura changed schools, things improved, but as a parent you have to be strong and have
at Durham University and is about to move to the UK to take up a job that requires both French and English. “Looking back now, I’m defi nitely glad we did it,” she says. “You learn a lot about yourself and a diff erent culture as well. To any teenager faced with the move, I would say try to avoid feeling negative. Accept that it’s happening and that the fi rst couple of years will probably be diffi cult. To parents I’d say try to see it from your child’s point of view and be as supportive as you possibly can.” ■
Michael Letchford and his daughter Laura moved to France when Laura was 12 56 FRENCH PROPERTY NEWS: July/August 2023
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