If it puts anything in perspective, it’s not just a French/English thing. I spent one nightmare year teaching primary school in the UK. I had some very basic teacher training, but I was wholly unprepared for how different EVERYTHING was. I had to change my handwriting. My math(s!). Even my “natural” aversion to religion in schools ( religious education, or RE, is a statutory requirement in the UK. Still felt like someone from the Department of Education might kick my door down any minute though!). The pedagogy, the entire theory of learning, was upside down. I was suddenly teaching in an environment that gave no GRADES. I mean, let that sink in for a moment. This is a system designed so children never know where they stand academically in comparison to their peers. Not until they hit upper level exams, where suddenly everything matters.
I have some serious disagreements with the British education system. I have a lot of admiration for the French one. But I don’t think anyone fully understands how different education can be until they’ve experienced it firsthand.
That sounds so stressful! Incredible how different educational systems are from one place to the other. Fascinating for us but i believe it was a nightmare for you! I fought English for a brief spell in Paris. The individual and small group classes were fine, but I did one year of after school during “Les activities longues,” when they tried to reform school hours, and that was a real struggle for me, as well. All the other classes were like ping pong and Manga
Haha!!! French native here, I have lived in the USA since I was 23, I moved here permanently 51 years ago.
I went through the issue of dealing with how my daughter learned subtractions and divisions in school.
I taught French in college for 21 years, and would often show my students how French kids learn how to do subtractions and divisions. A fun cultural difference!
As you explain so well, it is very hard to keep up speaking English in the context of French homework, and even talking about school in general. I never did figure out how the French present division, but fortunately my husband was there for that!
If it puts anything in perspective, it’s not just a French/English thing. I spent one nightmare year teaching primary school in the UK. I had some very basic teacher training, but I was wholly unprepared for how different EVERYTHING was. I had to change my handwriting. My math(s!). Even my “natural” aversion to religion in schools ( religious education, or RE, is a statutory requirement in the UK. Still felt like someone from the Department of Education might kick my door down any minute though!). The pedagogy, the entire theory of learning, was upside down. I was suddenly teaching in an environment that gave no GRADES. I mean, let that sink in for a moment. This is a system designed so children never know where they stand academically in comparison to their peers. Not until they hit upper level exams, where suddenly everything matters.
I have some serious disagreements with the British education system. I have a lot of admiration for the French one. But I don’t think anyone fully understands how different education can be until they’ve experienced it firsthand.
That sounds so stressful! Incredible how different educational systems are from one place to the other. Fascinating for us but i believe it was a nightmare for you! I fought English for a brief spell in Paris. The individual and small group classes were fine, but I did one year of after school during “Les activities longues,” when they tried to reform school hours, and that was a real struggle for me, as well. All the other classes were like ping pong and Manga
Oh wow. How interesting. Thanks.
Haha!!! French native here, I have lived in the USA since I was 23, I moved here permanently 51 years ago.
I went through the issue of dealing with how my daughter learned subtractions and divisions in school.
I taught French in college for 21 years, and would often show my students how French kids learn how to do subtractions and divisions. A fun cultural difference!
Maybe you can come teach me!
As you explain so well, it is very hard to keep up speaking English in the context of French homework, and even talking about school in general. I never did figure out how the French present division, but fortunately my husband was there for that!
Why is it so weird???
Lovely (and informative) piece.