TeenTimes / Conor Mulloy:No stories really have an end, just an end of the effort by the author. My story continued this week as I faced new mountains that I had to climb. This week was my observation of the grand battle between my hopes and dreams of what my language course in France would be like, and the reality.

I came to learn French in an atmosphere that is very rare in France (at least that's what the brochure said), and hey, if I had a good time then that was a bonus. In school I always thought French was a little bit useless; when will I ever need the word for fireman (pompier, by the way)? If there was a test on the word fireman, I'd do quite well. But, unfortunately, life is just not that easy; I might even need a firewoman.

Other words and phrases have become useful, such as, is this hot? (est-ce que c'est chaud?), or, how much would this sell for? (pour combien cette vente?). I'm surprised how easily and quickly my French has picked up and I am now able to hold bare conversations about nonsensical items that I would usually have no interest in. Even in French, however, CSIis still interesting, even when I understand nothing.

I thought when I returned home that I would be trying to exercise my French that I learned that day. I had overlooked the fact that I would be mentally exhausted from head to hair to toe-nail. After the obligatory noises of "J'ai bien mange" I would collapse on the sofa and join the family I am staying with in watching French television. What a great excuse to learn French; I should try it at home more often. The style is a little different but the substance is still there. My favourite emission(programme) is the funny home videos, as I can instantly get the simple joke, but not the running commentary.

I knew my French would improve but I didn't how and when. The when is now and how is vocabulary and accent. My French has come on in leaps and bounds with my host family providing the encouragement and the patience to correct and help. I feel like I'm five and I'm being spoon-fed with it, sometimes missing and sometimes getting in. On some days I learn a new word and that is my word for the day; I try to get it into every conversation. It has worked for me, les besoins et veut.

I am enjoying my stay here and I was incredibly lucky when Bastille Day crept up and jumped upon me with a bang. The fireworks were spectacular and I had seen nothing like it before. The people take the whole day as a party and have fireworks the night before as well. The celebrations included a party on the beach for teenagers, with dancing till three o'clock in the morning. The loud music blared into the ears of the contented. The adults got to swing dance and do whatever dance was hip when they were teenagers. That really clinched the deal for me, as the mother also partied away with as much umph as the next teenager. All I can say is, c'est la vie. A la prochain fois.

Conor Mulloy (16) is a student at St Joseph's College, Galway

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