When there’s nothing to talk about, there’s always the weather! There’s usually a reason for a cliché, and while you may try to avoid a “dull” conversation topic such as this in your native language, you may actually find yourself being thankful for this comfortable social norm while abroad.
This conversation opener is perfect for people you see regularly but aren’t sure yet what you have in common. Because it’s something you can discuss with anyone you run into, it’s a great starting point to move into other conversations in French, allowing you to hear accents and idioms from a wide range of speakers of different ages, backgrounds, and with diverse regional accents.
Imagine you’re a student studying abroad in France, where you’re likely only to speak with French college students of your age group. By mastering weather vocabulary, you have a socially acceptable gateway into discussion with people of all walks of life: the old woman you see at the bus stop every day, the boulanger you buy your pain au chocolat from each morning, or even the mailman! Practicing your French with a wider range of speakers will not only give you a more holistic view of the community and French culture, it will also test your French comprehension skills for different registers of French. Truly, the best thing about learning a foreign language is that it makes even a “boring” topic of conversation like the weather fascinating.
French weather vocabulary can open so many doors while abroad. Don’t leave home without it!
