I have arrived in the UK one week ago now, it's going so quick! I wanted to write a post a bit before but I haven't found the time (
laziness? What do you mean?) I arrived on Wednesday 21st, a bit early compared to the other language assistants as the contract is supposed to start on the 1st but I found it more convenient. I have been welcomed by my mentor teacher at the station which showed me around, from the school to the surroundings before leading me to my accommodation, the School House (aka Hogwarts) where I live with four very nice British teachers from the school. The following day was my induction day which means I had to meet with many people from the staff and deal with paperwork mostly. It is amazing how everyone seems to be nice here, it feels like you can never feel alone and isolated. My mentor teacher nicely took a lot of time to show me everything and to tell me about my prospective students: Year 12 French, Year 13 French, two students who have a French native speaker as a parent and three students meeting difficulties with French. I will also work along the French teachers of the Modern Languages Department a few hours a week, either to help or as a ~guest~.
Where I am going to live for a year Hogwarts
Actually I started this post one week after my arrival and I am currently writing, one week later (
it's getting complicated, I know.) I was feeling inspired and such when my DBS check came through so I had to quit on writing to plan my lessons for the following day, feeling excited but anxious at the same time - am I going to get lost in the school? What if my students don't show up? What if I end up not having anything to tell them at some point? #backtoschoolanxiety
My first day
It was on a Thursday, starting at 8.40am with the ~spiritual assembly~: every Thursday, a short 15-minute Assembly -where the whole school attends- takes place, dealing with religion and moral values. As a French person who received a state education, I am not used to such a concept but I have to say it's rather ...interesting? They also have a Business assembly every Monday. Thursday also happens to be "CCF" day in which the pupils/teachers take part in the cadets training and wear a military outfit. Witnessing the few differences compared to what I am used to on my first day was rather cool!
Concerning my lessons, they all last 35 minutes (it seems like this time has been adjusted for the Modern Languages Department which means most other subjects have double lessons) which is actually quite short! My first lessons were about getting to know my students in Year 12 and Year 13 while I started teaching the other ones I had on this day straight away. Everything went well, it wasn't my first experience in teaching and that helped me a lot to feel confident in front of the students. I attended some of the other teachers's lessons, helping in the classroom and sometimes taking part by reading a text to the class or answering questions. It is nice to do so as the students, especially the younger ones, were really excited to see me - I received a row of applause after reading the months of the year in French! :')
This first day left me very happy and enthusiastic, realising I am really doing what I want this year and I still feel this way after one week of being a language assistant. It is the very beginning so I'm waiting to see how it's going to go later on but I feel very happy with my life right now.
❤️
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📚Funny things I've heard in the classroom:
- "Miss, you're so good in French, you're a genius!"
Me : - Can you spot Lille on a map?
Pupil: - Yes! *points Nice*.
Me: - Lille is close to England, can you try again?
Pupil; - *points the Mediterranean Ocean*
If you are a language assistant, how was your first day? Anything funny/nice to share?
If you want an idea in which kind of ~atmosphere~ I was writing, listen to
this!
Julie XX
