Let me first start by saying that I never chose Weald of Kent aged eleven because it specialised in languages, but by the end of year ten I found that language was definitely something that I wanted to be a part of my future, and in comparison to other schools in our area Weald of Kent offers the most outstanding opportunities for language students. One of which is doing work experience in France.Although the emphasis of ‘work experience’ is usually the aspect of ‘work’ I found that the entire ‘experience’ was what made the trip particularly rewarding. Working in France really offers a unique insight into a completely different way of life and gives a rare opportunity to really appreciate another culture. I found my colleagues more than enthusiastic to talk to me about the way things work in France and, having actually experienced it for myself, I now understand and appreciate it to a level far above and beyond just reading from a textbook. As I personally worked in two different placements, a town hall and a library, I was also able to experience as much as possible in a short space of time.
Needless to say, in terms of language I feel much improved and more than anything a lot more confident in my skills which I feel will do nothing but help me as I begin my A2 year of French.
Besides the language and cultural aspect of the trip, it was genuinely fun and even after five years at the same school we all found that we made lots of new friends and memories which are in many ways just as valuable as anything else. It was really one of those experiences that we just didn’t want to end.
I think the scariest thing about the work experience was actually being brave enough to go. This wasn’t helped by the fact that I was met with a look of horror and disbelief whenever I mentioned ‘France’ and ‘work experience’ in the same sentence. However, once I was there I felt completely supported by my colleagues, French family, friends and teachers. Everyone in the workplace seemed just as interested in “une anglaise” as I was in them and although I was sad to leave, I know that I made international connections that are invaluable for my future in languages. Alice yr 11 2009
In June 2009 I took part in one of the biggest challenges of my life so far. I spent a week in Elbeuf, France on work experience at a local primary school. Having decided not to carry on French after GCSE in year 10 along with the rest of the people on the exchange, I was pretty nervous, however I was thankful that I was paired up with an AS student.
As we walked across the playground for the first time, the children were all amazed. It was as if we were aliens. They pointed and whispered “L’Anglais”. This interest in us did not die down over the week though. You could guarantee that that at each break or lunch there would be a small (or large) group of group of children gathered round you, keen to try out their best English, asking who you’re going to eat lunch with or whether Mr Oakley is your dad or simply babbling on in French about their favourite music or hobbies.
Throughout the week we travelled round each class in the school, ranging from five and six year olds up to eleven and twelve year olds. In each class we would introduce ourselves in English and answer some of their questions the best we could, even when one asked us, “is this a cat?” We would then teach them a bit of English and even teach them English songs such as “heads, shoulders, knees and toes” which became very popular and was requested all round the school by both teachers and students. We also had fun reading them books and teaching them English games which proved very hard to explain, especially in French. On the last day at the school, I even had to write about 20 autographs!
This trip was not only great fun but was also very rewarding when you improve their English and your own French. It is also very rewarding when you get home and realise that you survived a working week in a foreign country, and enjoyed it! I would recommend this trip to anyone who wishes to gain valuable work experience. Chloe Yr 11 2009
As we walked across the playground for the first time, the children were all amazed. It was as if we were aliens. They pointed and whispered “L’Anglais”. This interest in us did not die down over the week though. You could guarantee that that at each break or lunch there would be a small (or large) group of group of children gathered round you, keen to try out their best English, asking who you’re going to eat lunch with or whether Mr Oakley is your dad or simply babbling on in French about their favourite music or hobbies.
Throughout the week we travelled round each class in the school, ranging from five and six year olds up to eleven and twelve year olds. In each class we would introduce ourselves in English and answer some of their questions the best we could, even when one asked us, “is this a cat?” We would then teach them a bit of English and even teach them English songs such as “heads, shoulders, knees and toes” which became very popular and was requested all round the school by both teachers and students. We also had fun reading them books and teaching them English games which proved very hard to explain, especially in French. On the last day at the school, I even had to write about 20 autographs!
This trip was not only great fun but was also very rewarding when you improve their English and your own French. It is also very rewarding when you get home and realise that you survived a working week in a foreign country, and enjoyed it! I would recommend this trip to anyone who wishes to gain valuable work experience. Chloe Yr 11 2009
I have to admit, during the weeks leading up to the exchange, I did wonder occasionally how I was ever going to make it through a week in a French Primary school, but now I can’t believe I ever had doubts!
The most rewarding thing about working in the primary school was the reception that the children gave me. I was amazed at just how attentive they were while I taught them “Baa- Baa Black sheep,” read them “Little Red Riding Hood,” and answered their questions about England. It made me feel very proud that they would come up to me during play-time and sing “Baa- Baa Black Sheep” back to me, as it proved that they had really listened and enjoyed my teaching. At first, it was extremely difficult to understand their questions when they all tried to talk to me at once in very excited, quiet French! However, by the end I found that most of the time I could understand their questions, and was used to hearing variations on the question “comment dit-on … en anglais?” at least fifty times a day!
I was very sad to leave the pupils and teachers of Ecole Louis Pergaud, and was overwhelmed by the number of children that surrounded me for a goodbye kiss when I was leaving, asking when I was coming back, and waving pictures they had drawn for me and notes on the theme “MADDY, JTM!” (JTM being an abbreviation of Je T’aime) and so I received a solid education in French text language too!
Even if at first doing my work experience in France seemed like a daunting prospect, in the end it was absolutely worth it! Not only am I more confident in speaking and understanding the French language, but I have also improved my overall confidence, and made new friends. Maddie Yr 11 2009
The most rewarding thing about working in the primary school was the reception that the children gave me. I was amazed at just how attentive they were while I taught them “Baa- Baa Black sheep,” read them “Little Red Riding Hood,” and answered their questions about England. It made me feel very proud that they would come up to me during play-time and sing “Baa- Baa Black Sheep” back to me, as it proved that they had really listened and enjoyed my teaching. At first, it was extremely difficult to understand their questions when they all tried to talk to me at once in very excited, quiet French! However, by the end I found that most of the time I could understand their questions, and was used to hearing variations on the question “comment dit-on … en anglais?” at least fifty times a day!
I was very sad to leave the pupils and teachers of Ecole Louis Pergaud, and was overwhelmed by the number of children that surrounded me for a goodbye kiss when I was leaving, asking when I was coming back, and waving pictures they had drawn for me and notes on the theme “MADDY, JTM!” (JTM being an abbreviation of Je T’aime) and so I received a solid education in French text language too!
Even if at first doing my work experience in France seemed like a daunting prospect, in the end it was absolutely worth it! Not only am I more confident in speaking and understanding the French language, but I have also improved my overall confidence, and made new friends. Maddie Yr 11 2009
When the opportunity of going to France came up I jumped at the chance. I got rather excited about going to France, the week before the French exchanges arrived for their week in England. I immediately formed a friendship with my exchange partner. This was just one less thing that I would have to worry about. At this point the work experience part hadn’t registered into my mind properly yet. Then it dawned on me I would actually have to speak French in a French School. The idea seems very daunting, however I was reassured by friends who had already been through the experience, that it is a wonderful experience working in a foreign country. I got rather apprehensive as my first day at work became closer and closer. It began on Monday 22nd June. The minute I stepped on to the playground of “Ecole Elementaire de la Londe” I felt an enormous welcome from the children. They swarmed like bees around me. I was the “new” person at the school. They were obviously prepared. The members of staff greeted me and I introduced myself.
The first class I went into was CM1, the English equivalent of Year 5. Their first lesson with Madame Duhamel was French. I thought to myself great getting to learn French in a primary school, little did I know that the French language had more tenses than I could ever imagine. The “Passe Simple” could not have possibly confused me more. Next was Maths a subject you can understand in almost any language, decimals was their first assignment.
During the course of the week children would come up to me to ask rather childish questions for example “How do you say Lucie in English?” They all expected something extravagant, but was quite disappointed to find out there wasn’t that much of a difference. There were so many great memories with the children that I hope to cherish. I was also able to visit CM2, equivalent to year 6. They seemed more mature, I was given the opportunity to help with their English lesson which was a brilliant experience. I found out that for 11 year olds their level of English was much higher than mine in primary school or even at the age of eleven. I probably just managed to say “Hello, my name is...”. I found it rather odd that in the school that English is a big part of their curriculum. Another fond memory that will definitely be kept is when I showed a picture of the Royal Family, they were able to pick out the Queen. The teacher then asked “What is Buckingham Palace?” One child put their hand up very confidently said “It’s a Casino.” Then another child shouted “No it’s a Hotel.” At this point the teacher, rather embarrassed reassured the two children that it was neither a casino or a hotel it is in fact the Queens’ residence. Later they thoroughly took advantage of my presence, they began to quiz me on my Chinese background. The question varied from “Why do Chinese family prefer boys?” to “Can you sing the Chinese alphabet? ”, which doesn’t exist. It was a pleasure to be able to explain and let them explore a different culture although I had never thought of it before.
Luckily I was also able to interact with CE1 and CP, children aged 6 and 7. They were an entirely different experience from the older kids, they required more patience and attention. I had the opportunity to read to them which they enjoyed very much.
Along with patience one of the key skills that you need with children, I have also improved my confidence levels as I was required to be confident in introducing myself and be confident in my French. The experience has improved my French speaking , along with my French listening. Another skill I have definitively improved is being flexible. I was not given much notice about what class I was going to or what I was doing so I had to adapt what I had to what age children I was teaching.
The whole experience lasted just 4 days but it has made me consider working with children. I have learnt many skills during this work experience the most important one especially with children is patience and understanding. In conclusion this was a truly awesome experience, to be able to work in a foreign country is a feat in itself. The opportunity to see how a school works is another. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking to work in abroad in the future as there is a choice of place to work or specifically working with kids in general. It was a once in a lifetime experience that I would recommend to everyone. Maggie Yr 11 Student
The first class I went into was CM1, the English equivalent of Year 5. Their first lesson with Madame Duhamel was French. I thought to myself great getting to learn French in a primary school, little did I know that the French language had more tenses than I could ever imagine. The “Passe Simple” could not have possibly confused me more. Next was Maths a subject you can understand in almost any language, decimals was their first assignment.
During the course of the week children would come up to me to ask rather childish questions for example “How do you say Lucie in English?” They all expected something extravagant, but was quite disappointed to find out there wasn’t that much of a difference. There were so many great memories with the children that I hope to cherish. I was also able to visit CM2, equivalent to year 6. They seemed more mature, I was given the opportunity to help with their English lesson which was a brilliant experience. I found out that for 11 year olds their level of English was much higher than mine in primary school or even at the age of eleven. I probably just managed to say “Hello, my name is...”. I found it rather odd that in the school that English is a big part of their curriculum. Another fond memory that will definitely be kept is when I showed a picture of the Royal Family, they were able to pick out the Queen. The teacher then asked “What is Buckingham Palace?” One child put their hand up very confidently said “It’s a Casino.” Then another child shouted “No it’s a Hotel.” At this point the teacher, rather embarrassed reassured the two children that it was neither a casino or a hotel it is in fact the Queens’ residence. Later they thoroughly took advantage of my presence, they began to quiz me on my Chinese background. The question varied from “Why do Chinese family prefer boys?” to “Can you sing the Chinese alphabet? ”, which doesn’t exist. It was a pleasure to be able to explain and let them explore a different culture although I had never thought of it before.
Luckily I was also able to interact with CE1 and CP, children aged 6 and 7. They were an entirely different experience from the older kids, they required more patience and attention. I had the opportunity to read to them which they enjoyed very much.
Along with patience one of the key skills that you need with children, I have also improved my confidence levels as I was required to be confident in introducing myself and be confident in my French. The experience has improved my French speaking , along with my French listening. Another skill I have definitively improved is being flexible. I was not given much notice about what class I was going to or what I was doing so I had to adapt what I had to what age children I was teaching.
The whole experience lasted just 4 days but it has made me consider working with children. I have learnt many skills during this work experience the most important one especially with children is patience and understanding. In conclusion this was a truly awesome experience, to be able to work in a foreign country is a feat in itself. The opportunity to see how a school works is another. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking to work in abroad in the future as there is a choice of place to work or specifically working with kids in general. It was a once in a lifetime experience that I would recommend to everyone. Maggie Yr 11 Student
On Saturday 20th June 2009 I went to France, near Elbeuf on an exchange and for work experience. As I had not studied A/S French it was a daunting experience but my language came back to me and improved drastically!
My French exchange partner and I grew a fantastic friendship and although our language limited conversations sometimes, we helped each other and learnt a lot from each other. We have arranged future exchanges and visits as we do not want to lose contact and it will continue to build and improve my French.
The work experience aspect of the trip was also extremely valuable. Working with the French children was thoroughly enjoyable and gave me a chance to see how small children express themselves differently to teenagers and adults. Although the pupils spoke fast, it tested my French and gave me a chance to use my language in a working environment. When working with the children I was able to teach them English songs such as ‘heads, shoulders, knees and toes’, games and I worked through worksheets with them that I had made for them to learn English vocabulary. I also helped teach maths and physical education in French and was able to work one on one with an autistic child who refused to work and I helped him with his maths work.
All in all, the trip was a fantastic experience and something I would thoroughly recommend. Not only did my language improve but I learnt a lot about French culture and how a French school runs. The exchange was brilliant! Abbi Yr 11 2009
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