Dear French professor,

I am well aware that the construction "Je ai" (I have) does not exist in French. I know that you form a contraction to get "J'ai." But I can barely speak French (read and write, but not speak), and if I start a past tense sentence with "Je," know that I will correct myself once I have put the sentence together in my head. This may take a moment. Please let me have a little bit of time. Please do not write "J'ai" on the board.

Please be patient with me. I am trying so hard.