Ashlie: Come on, Stephen.

Stephen: I’m coming!

Ashlie: We’re going on a trip to Paris. It’s a very short train ride from London and it’s a chance to experience some French culture and do some shopping.

Stephen: Ashlie’s never been to Paris before. I’ve been loads of times and I’m looking forward to practising my French.

Ashlie: Come on, you. You can practise your French on the train. Paris, here we come!

.....

Stephen: Avez-vous, avez-vous…

Ashlie: That’s good, Stephen, good to see you making an effort.

Stephen: Merci beaucoup – that’s 'thank you' in French.

Ashlie: Right. So how long does it take? About two and a half hours? So we will be in Paris just in time for dinner.

Stephen: We can get something to eat on the train.

Ashlie: No, let’s wait until we get to Paris. French food is fantastic. I want to eat in a French café. I don’t want to eat a train sandwich when I could eat a lovely French meal.

Stephen: OK, then.

Ashlie: Oh, and you can order the food in French.

Stephen: Great, I’m going to practise. What’s French for 'dinner'?

.....

Ashlie: Wow, here we are. Ooh, it’s so exciting to be in Paris. Right, we need to get a taxi. I want to see the Eiffel Tower first and then we can have something to eat.

Stephen: There aren’t any taxis here. Let me ask someone. Excusez-moi.

Frenchman: Oui?

Stephen: Où est le taxi?

Frenchman: Il y en a juste là-bas là.

Stephen: Merci.

Ashlie: Merci.

Stephen: See, Ashlie, you would never have found a taxi without me.

Ashlie: Yeah, yeah, come on!

.....

Ashlie: Right, now we’ve done some sightseeing, it’s time for something to eat.

Stephen: What do you want, Ash? Here comes the waiter.

Ashlie: Erm, can I have one of those, please?

Stephen: Are you sure?

Ashlie: Yes, I’m sure.

Stephen: Bonsoir. Je voudrais un steak-frites, deux cafés au lait et un escargots.

Waiter: OK. Des escargots, un steak-frites, deux cafés au lait.

Stephen: Erm, yes. Oui. C’est tout.

Ashlie: Merci.

Stephen: That’s great, Ash, he understood.

Ashlie: Well, I certainly didn’t. That’s good, Stephen. It’s so good to see you trying to practise your French.

Stephen: Well, I need to work on my pronunciation. I didn’t sound very French, did I? 

Ashlie: You got the food, that’s the important thing. Well done!

Stephen: Well, I think it’s polite. You have to try and speak the language of the country you’re visiting. You’ve got to practise if you want to learn.

Ashlie: Yeah, I suppose you’re right.

.....

Ashlie: What are they? They look like snails. I didn’t order those!

Stephen: Yes, you did. That’s what you pointed to in the menu.

Ashlie: Stephen! I haven’t eaten snails before.

Stephen: Well, try them. You might like them. Bon appétit!

Ashlie: Hmm, they’re good. But I’m going to make sure I know what I’m ordering next time – so when I go shopping, I don’t make any mistakes.