Continuing professional development conferences and events

Teaching French to Young Learners 2004 – the legacy

 

17 - 30 July 2004, Centre de Linguistique Appliquée, Besançon, France

A post-course report written by Judith Ezard from Heathcoat Primary School, Devon

 

About the course

 

Most Primary Schools will have already celebrated the festivals connected with autumn and now Christmas and the New Year fill our thoughts. The heat of summer is behind us – and, make no mistake about it, for those of us who went on the CILT ‘Teaching French to Young Learners in July - it really was hot! Did we really complain about the heat as we sipped our aperitifs in the courtyard of The Hotel de Paris on the Rue des Granges? Did we really walk home from our afternoon sessions hugging the shady side of those narrow Besancon streets?

The legacy of that CILT course is more than a tan however; more than the expanded waistline from those jugs of Jurancon wine or that melted compte cheese drizzled over potatoes fried in butter and garlic. Tans fade and weight can be lost again, but the two weeks of immersion in the French language has had a lasting effect on my confidence, interest, comprehension and delivery. The daily newspapers I packed up and sent home, the books and tapes I bought upon the recommendation of the course organisers or fellow participants have been invaluable since my return. Nor have any of the resources sat idle in my study like so many course notes have in the past.

On my return, the French For Enthusiasts Group, which I attend weekly, was the first to receive the ‘benefit’ of my experiences. When it was my turn to ‘do my ten minute French talk’ they couldn’t stop me! My subject was the Tour de France, La Grande Boucle. Enhanced by the historical facts and the French perspective gleaned from my afternoon module in Besancon, ‘Un an en France’, I had no trouble filling my time. Visual aids included newspapers, tour souvenirs and photos of us cheering on Lance Armstrong as he shot passed us on the streets of Besancon.

My time keeping at the Staff Curriculum Development session on the first week back of the new term was much tighter. Short, sharp and relevant is the rule for these after school sessions. Recognised as a bit of a ‘graveyard slot’ for visiting advisors, I was aware that some of the staff were not impressed at having to listen to me talk about my ‘jolly’ in France when they could be ‘getting on’. By the time I had finished however (see attached programme) not only were they convinced that I had worked very hard but that my experience could benefit the school as a whole in its move toward delivering primary languages. I even got a round of applause for my reading of ‘La Chenille qui fait des tours’ – a book recommended by Helene Vanthier, our main ‘tutor’ on the course. Primary school teachers always like to end the day with a good story!

Inspired by this session, the staff went on to plan a ‘Day of European Languages’ for the end of September. Each year group took a different language (French, Spanish, German and Italian) and armed with Level One of The Magic Teachers Kit’ from CILT, went for it! As well as the DVD and songs featuring Hocks & Lotus, long lost rhymes and phrases from school days and holidays were remembered. Native speakers from each of the four countries were pressed into service, the smell of garlic filled the food technology area, Spanish music drifted from the hall, stolen cake was nibbled at break time. At one stage, I’m sure the head was worried that far too much fun was being had by one and all! The afternoon ended with an assembly sharing the day with parents, governors and all the pupils.

My role was to encourage and enthuse – no problem. I also went into each classroom with my ‘Chenille’ puppet and book (see photos below) My main duty was to deliver a talk about the CILT course and the benefits of Early Language Learning to parents and Governors. For me the best part of this was watching the reaction of the Pre-School children to the French books, songs and rhymes I included in my talk. Without exception they were all joining in with sounds and phrases before I was finished. Proof, if ever I needed it, that children are never too young to start!

For the children of Heathcoat Primary School in Devon, the legacy of Besancon is an enthusiastic determination to learn more about their European neighbours and the languages they speak. For the Staff and parents, a realisation that teaching a modern foreign language in Primary school can be fun and enhance so many other subjects and skills we already tackle. And me? Yes, the aims of the course were well met. I improved and updated my language skills and cultural awareness of France; I collected new ideas, materials and methodologies to introduce French to Young Learners. But most of all, I came away with a memory of a course really well organised, which delivered what it promised and more, and above all a group of new friends and colleagues that I can turn to at any time for advice and support in my Early Language Teaching.