I
emerge from the darkness almost two months after arriving in France…most literally emerging
from the growing pile of documents that clearly depict the way France bureacracy runs. No less
than 5 copies of everything is made, and it seems as though the conclusion of
one aspect of paperwork is only paving the way for various other
“necessities”. I need my Immigration papers to be sent in to get the
appointment for my medical visit so that I can then get my social security
number so that I can get my health insurance stuff squared away but in order to
send in my immigration papers, I need to have an address of residence (also
necessary to open a bank account) and send in a bill of some sort (“but I’ve
only been here a week!” “oh, well a social security number will work” “but I
don't have a social security number! That’s precisely what I’m trying to get”
“oh well, tant pis (oh well)”)…it has been quite a time filling out all the
papers to get paid, to get matriculated (which will give me some sort of
ssn, but not the ssn…if I understand correctly) and by the end of the
day, I stash all my papers in my big WI folder. Case closed.
I
arrived in France with a month on my
hands, a month I spent wandering in Paris, catching up with fellow
UW-Madison Spanish major Kelsey Paul (who is in Paris for the year working as
an au pair), visiting family in the west of France, and just hanging
out. October came quickly and before I knew it, I was in the classroom
with all my students staring up at me with wide eyes; some classes had been
encouraged to interrogate me for the hour about who I am, how old I am, would I
ever go to the moon (no!) and everything in between…in English of course. So
far we’ve just been working on introductory things, so it hasn’t been too
challenging. The trick, I’ve found, is to be lively. As I emailed a fellow
assistant, “I have two hours of class right now…ok Anne, put on your
enthusiastic eyes!” It’s been explained to be no less than 15 times where
Chateauxroux is (many students are from this nearby village) and I continually
look fascinated by the most mundane subject matter that is brought up (“You
have two cats?! Two! Incredible! And what are their names?”) all
in the name of getting, and keeping, conversation going. Of course I try not to
go overboard, but continual enthusiasm and energy definitely helps.
And
I’ve officially become a teacher. I spotted chalk on my shoulder and pants
today and I knew I had arrived :)
So
the way my teaching is organized is that I work 12 hours a week. I take ½ of an
English class (leaving me with anywhere from 8-12 students) while the teacher
works with the other ½, and my job is to make the students talk, nay converse,
in English.
Easier
said than done.
Especially
considering I’m working with highschoolers who have somehow gotten the idea
that participation is overrated and have categorized it as “not cool.” My
youngest classes, the “seconds”, actually talk and attempt to use their
English skills more than my more-schooled “terminals”, who only give me
blank stares at the most simplistic statements. For example, to one class of
particularly uninterested terminals I said “Hello, my name is Anne
Reiland and I will be your English Language Assistant. All you have to
do is talk…in English. Everybody understand?” and I heard a murmur of “J’avais
rien compris” (I’ve understood nothing.) Several attempts later I finally
turned to the board:
Me:
Language Assistant
You:
talk. In English.
They
were at least amused by my frankness.
Along
with bringing enthusiasm to the classroom, I hope to implant a little bit of
inspiration to learn English. I think I’ve successfully pitched studying abroad
to the boys of my classes, encouraging them to study in the US where, if all else
fails, they can make American girls swarm around them if they play up their
French accents. I know how to advertise to my audience :)
We
assistants come from all different backgrounds with all different reasons for
being here. Of the assistants I know the best; we have Gina, a 20-year-old
Londoner who is here to complete an “abroad requisite” for her French Studies
in England. In speaking with a few
of the English (from England) Assistants, I’ve learned that if you major in a language,
you must spend one year abroad going to school or working; Gina opted for
working, so voila. There is Monica, 25, fellow United State-ian who loves France, has studied in Paris, and a History and
teaching degree later is back in France. Viola is another
France-fan, a 23 year-old German assistant, who is giving France another go after having
studied in Paris as well. Loreto is a 27
year-old Chilean Biology teacher who is here to improve her French, see how
science is taught here (France is apparently top-notch in science/technology)
and explore a little bit of this side of the world. Victor is a 25 year-old
Mexican lawyer who is here because…why not? Then there is yours truly, 22
year-old (though one student guessed I was 17!) recent UW graduate, Spanish and
Latin American Studies major who is now teaching English in France as a means
of being close to her French love.
Ultimate
goals: improve French, travel a bit in Europe, and survive a French
winter. Oh French winter :)
Right
now I’m in Paris writing from a café that
is a real find. With wireless internet and electricity plugs, it stands out to
us foreigners used to the convenience of free wifi (pronounced
"weefee" in French). When Kelsey informed me of this little
jewel on the Rue Saint Antoine, I immediately took note; “It has wireless? And
electricity plugs?! What is the nearest metro? And When is the soonest I can
meet you there?!”
So
I’m in Paris after two official weeks
of working (the first week was for in-class observation, to eyeball the level
of the English classes) for a two-week vacation for Toussaints, or All Saints.
Oh how the French love their vacation :). This weekend Julien and I will be
headed to the far east of France for a birthday party, so
that is where my weekend is taking me. Apart from that, I look forward to 2
weeks of relaxation and oh yes, planning lessons.
I’m
such a teacher.
A
plus!
annemary
