Phrases for teens

Do you mean phrases in French so they can get help? If so, teach them to say "I need to call my parents" and your cell phone number in French. Put this on the card so they can look if they forget. Then a business card to your hotel so they can ask directions or get a cab.

I don't have teens but my sister gives hers about 50E in emergency money - if they spend it on anything else they are in trouble, it's separate from whatever spending money they have, it's meant to be cab fare or other necessities if they get lost. So far no one has needed it.

Presumably they'll know basic words and phrases like bonjour, s'il vous plait, merci? Besides "I need to call my parents," which will be useful only if you have a cell phone, you might add "Where is the nearest taxi stand?" so they can use that emergency cash to get back to the hotel. And the hotel card, with address and phone, is definitely a good idea.

Not knowing your kids of course, but consider some planned separations with agreed-on rendezvous to let them pursue interests you might not share. And vice versa. I'd think they're old enough for some teen time on their own, especially if they're together.

Thank you. All of these suggestions are great. I am not too worried, but the thought hit me. We definitely plan on letting them explore on their own some. I love the emergency cash idea and the taxi plan too. Thanks again.

First words on the page should be, "Bonjour Monsieur (or Madame). Excusez-moi..." then you fill in the rest with simple language.

Your kids should be taught to say, "Merci Monsieur (or Madame). Au revoir."

I was told the magic phrase to start (after excusez-moi) was "j'ai un problème" so that you're not mistaken for a panhandler or petition girl.

The teenagers, and you too, should each carry a business card from your hotel. It will help a taxi driver take the strays "home". If your group will use mass transit, particularly the Metro subway, work out a strategy. If somebody gets left behind at a station, everyone else gets off at the next station and waits for the laggard who will take the next train. Well, that's a model, anyhow. Nothing wrong with each member of the expedition being armed with a street map or a mobile device that can show the way, either. Parisians can be quite helpful (they've had a lot of experience with tourists) if approached very politely with the phrases others have provided here.

If your teenagers will have their phones with them, they can put Google Translate into their Favorites. Useful for adults, too. Although most French teens will have studied some English in school, your teens should also check out some of the apps that allow their spoken words to be translated into French audio and vice versa. Great way to carry on more extended or complicated conversations with new friends or even taxi drivers. They can also take a photo of the Hotel's business card with their phones.
As far as getting separated, Google Maps works great in France.
Consider getting the 15yr olds pre-paid French SIM cards for text/data. 10-15 euros minimum, for use in France only. Additional credit can be loaded. Of course you'll have to be sure they use WIFI whenever possible, and only use the wireless network for emergency backup.
I spend a lot of time in France, and I'm sure you'll have a great trip. Bon voyage!

Here are a few other things to consider...

• Make sure your teens don't carry their phones (or other valuables) in their back pockets, or they will soon lose them to pickpockets.

• You may consider downloading the Next Stop Paris app, to help you, and your teens navigate around Paris.
  It works without using cellular data.

• If your children get separated, or lost, they should be advised to seek help from an employee at a business, rather than from a random person on the street.

Bon Voyage!

If you add "j'ai un petit probleme", someone might take you for a pickpocket, since this is normally an excuse to get closer to your body.
I agree that going right up to the nearest "authority figure" is the best course of action.

Thanks again for the suggestions. I will make sure they each have a photo of the hotel's business card on their phones. And I will go over with them about not putting their phones in their back pockets. Teens do love to place their phones there. I know many people in Paris speak English, but I don't want my kids to be tourists. I want them to be travelers and to expect to speak some of the local language.

Glad you just put me in my place on a travel forum. Have a great day.

Not to be harsh to your efforts, but if they do not speak French, having some phrases for emergencies will be worthless. They won't be able to pronounce them and won't be able to understand the responses.

There are only four French words that are a necessity: bonjour, bonsoir and parlez anglais? The rest is gravy.

As long as they have a card with the hotel's address and phone, and hopefully a cell number that they can reach you at will be all that is necessary along with some emergency cash. They can easily find people that speak English and in an emergency, that is what they need.

Always have a rendezvous point - see some French here ;-) At museums or if separating for awhile.

Kaeleku,
You do not seem to have the desire to be helpful to other travelers. Perhaps this is not the place for you to hang out. Snarky comments are of no help to anyone.

Here s a great tip that I learned from a NZ traveler a few years back; and I always do this now.
Take 50-100 of whatever the currency is, in the country you are currently in.
Photocopy your passport, and also if you want: credit and debit cards.
On that piece of paper, write your contact info: hotel location and phone no.; nearest relatives phone no. etc; and place this all in a small plastic ziplock bag.
It all folds to a very small packet; then place the packet under the insole of the shoe you are currently wearing.
You will feel secure, have money to eat and get back to your accommodation, and have some ID, in case of mugging or robbery.
I also put the call number to report any lost or stolen bank or credit cards, and the number of my Embassy or Consulate in case I need them.
I do this every time I travel; and it s just a bit of added security.
I often travel alone, so I try and use every safety tip there is.
Of course, in the summer you won t have closed shoes with insoles; but you could put it in your money belt, or bra if you are female.
If your kids lose their phones, they won t know where the hotel is if they just have a photo of the business card on there, and not a hard copy.
Have a great trip, and your kids will love Paris!
I m leaving for there soon too, for 10 days.

You must not forget thank you and please or else one would be considered a lout no matter where he or she is

If you've already switched to English (assuming the answer to "Parlez Anglais" is "Yes, a little..."), the please and thank you can be in English.

Obviously knowing other French phrases is polite, considerate and appreciated. But those four words will work to politely transfer a conversation into English.

Unless you are worried they are going to get lost in rural France, you can't throw a stick in Paris or other cities and larger towns without finding at least half a dozen people on the block that speak some English (especially those under the age of 50). It's great you'd like them to learn a few phrases to describe their predicament, but I wouldn't expect it will take more than 2 or 3 words out of their mouths for someone to peg them as English speakers and switch over - which is what they will need because they won't be able to understand the responses back if they aren't fluent.

Besides, when dealing with children that are lost and likely frightened, I really don't think the French are going to be sticklers about being referred to as Madame or Monsieur and having a few pleases and thank yous thrown their way. I've been approached by lost kids in the past and about the last thing on my mind was "Hey, this uncouth little ruffian didn't refer to me as Ma'am!"

Just make sure they have some cash stashed somewhere, and that they know the name and address of the hotel or apartment you are staying at (preferably, if it's someplace big like Paris, the cross streets and what neighborhood they are staying in). Continually remind them about what the plan is should someone get left behind on the Metro - although with 5 of you, you might do just as well to take an Uber to places that are too far to walk to. If the 15 year olds have smart phones and can send text messages, Google maps and a couple texts should be able to help them tell you exactly where they are so you can come get them.

I was about the age of your youngest when my older sister and I got lost in Rome when my mom let us go out on our own for gelato and to walk around. This was way before cell phones. I found our way back by recognizing buildings and stores. So if anything, tell your kids to keep their noses out of their phones and look around at where they are (which is the purpose of traveling anyways) as that alone can help them get familiar with their surroundings.