Dear Laura,

    Thanks for your message. Yes, I'm having a great time on my exchange program in France. I was a bit nervous before I arrived here, but there was no reason to be. My host family is really nice.

    They go out of their way1(make) me feel at home. The grandmother has a teenage granddaughter about my age 2 is really kind. She always talks to me in French to help me practice. And you wouldn't believe how quickly my French has3(improve)! I'm very comfortable speaking French now. 4I still make lots of mistakes, it doesn't worry me as it used to.

    My biggest challenge is learning how to behave at the dinner table. 5you can imagine, things are really different from the way they are at home. For example, you shouldn't put your bread on your plate. You6 (suppose) to put it on the table! I thought that was pretty strange at first, but now I'm used to it. You shouldn't eat7(something) with your hands except bread, not even fruit. You have to cut it up and eat it with a fork. Another thing is that it is very8(polite) to say you're full. If you don't want any more food, you should just say, "It was delicious." Also, you shouldn't put your elbows on the table. I have to say that I find it difficult to remember everything, but I'm9(gradual) getting used to it. I don't find French customs so strange any more.

    Dear Laura, I'll write again soon and tell you more about my life in France. Hope you are having10good school year.

Yours,

Lin Yue