Ileana Argyris – Learning French to Be a Better Traveler

Dive: Linguist - French
Description: Can read, write, speak, and understand French
Level: Level 1
Level Requirements: Can read, write, speak, and understand French at a basic level
Certified On: May 30, 2019

Editor’s Note: On all dive certifications, we try to edit the writing as little as possible to preserve authenticity, personality, and writing style. We typically fix spelling errors, but minimally modify grammar and sentence structure (just enough to ensure readability).

Name: Ileana Argyris Break Diving Level: Level 1 Number of Certified Dives: 6 From: United States In: United States

1. When and Why Did You Decide to Pursue This Dive At This Level? What was your inspiration and motivation?

I started seriously studying French in 2014, when I decided that I wanted to study abroad in France! I wanted to know enough French to get around the city I was staying in. It’s easier to not get lost if you understand what people are saying to you!

2. How Long Did It Take For You To Accomplish This Dive At This Level From The Day You Decided To Pursue It, And Why Did It Take That Long?

It took me about a year, though my French greatly improved after my three months in France! Now I work on improving my level.

3. What Was The Hardest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

The hardest part for me is knowing when a word is masculine or feminine. English doesn’t have masculine or feminine gender words, so I am always guessing! The second hardest part is the pronunciation. I was used to practicing French online, so my spelling was spot on. However, when I first arrived in France, even though I knew the words, I couldn’t understand anything because I didn’t know the pronunciation!

4. What Was The Easiest Part About Achieving This Particular Dive Level?

As a native English speaker, the easiest part about French is the amount of words that are similar in English. Oftentimes, if I don’t know the word in French, I say the word in English but with a French accent and… ça marche!

5. What Is Your Advice For Someone Who Is Pursuing This Dive And Level?

My advice would be to fully immerse yourself in the language! Watch French movies without subtitles, listen to French music, read news articles in French, get a French pen pal! Doing these things will help you learn how to pronounce words and will also increase your French vocabulary. And… learn the gender of each word when you learn the word–it will save you time and confusion later.

6. What Are Some Of The Best Resources You Recommend to Those Pursuing This Dive At This Level, And Why Do You Recommend Them? Please Include Relevant Weblinks, If Applicable.

Want to learn French? You can start here:

Resource 1: Break Diving's French Fluency Project - Come and practice in the French chatrooms.

Resource 2: Duolingo - This is a good resource to help you get started.

Resource 3: -

Resource 4: -

Resource 5: -

7. Tell Us A Story Of One Of Your Adventures While Pursuing This Dive (At This Level).

Quand Tu Tombes Amoureux

Quand tu tombes amoureux, tu changes complètement. Tu vis dans un rêve et toute ta vie est de couleur rose. Tes pensées sont occupées avec ton amoureux et tu salues le monde avec un sourire. Ta vie devient charmante et ton âme brille. Ah, l’amour!

8. What Evidence Did You Submit to Prove You Met the Requirements for This Dive and Level?

I was tested on my reading, writing, listening, and speaking by fellow Break Diving members Monroe Mann and Christophe Poizat! We interacted through posts, in the French chatroom, and had a French video chat to test my speaking and listening.

9. Will You Be Pursuing The Next Level For This Dive? If Yes, Why? If Not, Why Not?

I will be pursuing the next level because I want to be able to navigate my way in French speaking countries with ease. Maybe one day I will work in a French speaking country! [Editor’s Note: Maybe?! DEFINITELY! :D]

10. What is the Break Diver's Creed?

No Rules. No Excuses. No Regrets.

Certificate photo:

And having made this post, and provided adequate evidence to the dive committee, Ileana Argyris is now hereby certified by Break Diving, Inc. as: Linguist - French - Level 1. Congratulations ! Thank you for being an inspiration to others!

Certificate number: 13

The author above wrote this WYSEguidance post as one of the certification requirements to become certified by Break Diving, Inc. for a dive completed. Would you also like to find greater success, happiness, and friendship, and make genuine supportive connections with others around the world pursuing your same dreams? Come join us at Break Diving and soon your story will be the next one you read about on this site!

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