As we were working for Haven Holidays I didn’t intend to teach again, although I love it. However the campsite owner was also the maire of two local small towns. He wanted me to teach English to his five sons. Three professors from the nearby university came to watch me take a lesson and that is how I obtained my certificate to teach in France.
I taught in four schools as each of the towns where Olivier was maire had two primary schools, one private, one public. The private schools are Roman Catholic and the public schools are for the children of non-Catholic parents. The private schools were in old buildings with small classrooms and many pupils. The public ones in large new buildings with less children and plenty of space. After play time, the whistle was blown and the pupils rushed in. Not so in the private schools. They carefully lined up in order of their height and walked in very quietly.
Unfortunately the two schools in each town did not co-operate together and were very secretive. My husband and I were invited to events in all 4 schools, so I had to be very diplomatic as I was always questioned afterwards! I suggested a combined concert on sports day, but with no success!
One of the professors who had watched me teach contacted me to ask if I would like to take the English Oral exams at the University of La Roche-sur-Yon (capital city of the region). Through this I taught for the Chamber of Commerce. This was really interesting. One group of students were doctors and dentists. Another group were owners of hotels and restaurants. I also chose the staff to work in the region's tourist offices. In the height of the season they needed people who could speak English! I wasn’t paid for doing this, but they sent me large bouquets of flowers!
Enjoy summer in our region,
Esmé
I taught in four schools as each of the towns where Olivier was maire had two primary schools, one private, one public. The private schools are Roman Catholic and the public schools are for the children of non-Catholic parents. The private schools were in old buildings with small classrooms and many pupils. The public ones in large new buildings with less children and plenty of space. After play time, the whistle was blown and the pupils rushed in. Not so in the private schools. They carefully lined up in order of their height and walked in very quietly.
Unfortunately the two schools in each town did not co-operate together and were very secretive. My husband and I were invited to events in all 4 schools, so I had to be very diplomatic as I was always questioned afterwards! I suggested a combined concert on sports day, but with no success!
One of the professors who had watched me teach contacted me to ask if I would like to take the English Oral exams at the University of La Roche-sur-Yon (capital city of the region). Through this I taught for the Chamber of Commerce. This was really interesting. One group of students were doctors and dentists. Another group were owners of hotels and restaurants. I also chose the staff to work in the region's tourist offices. In the height of the season they needed people who could speak English! I wasn’t paid for doing this, but they sent me large bouquets of flowers!
Enjoy summer in our region,
Esmé
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