Agreed you should learn the basic french like VENT ARRIERE for downwind etc if only to understand the other planes.
Did a check out at Ex some years ago at a club there, the instructor was french ex military, spoke reasonable english.
In my case the club was helpful in providing me with the best english speaking instructor they had and a list of translations of air lingo.
So, just do it and learn to avoid the prison on final approach.... They dont like you overflying it
Good luck and enjoy!