HOW I TOOK MY OWN EDUCATION IN HAND
TO LEARN ENGLISH
The first people I would like to introduce you to, for my HEART OF FRANCE IN 80 DAYS are the lovely Jo & Geoff Spencer.
I always disliked the way French education is made, my level in English was terrible, and so I took my own education in hand based on real life situation by spending my Saturday’s afternoon with Jo & Geoff. Patient and helpful, they built a safe and convivial environment around me, letting express myself freely with all the mistakes. Later I would even go the the USA work as an au pair for the family of their son, the summer before my A level examination.
My diploma in hand, I would still have to pass other English tests for my degree. In spite of all my efforts my level dropped considerably. Tired of trying, I end up saying to my teachers to not bother with me anymore, that I will go live in London to learn. Therefore, it wasn’t a surprise to sit down in front of a text that I could barely understand during my degree examination. Then, the examiner put that text on the side and instead started a casual conversation. She asked what were my plans after getting my degree. I explained that I had just came back from London where I passed interviews to get into art schools, that I wanted to work there as an art director, that I was aware that knowing to speak English will open many doors for me and allow me later to travel the world. I was very enthusiast sharing my dreams with her. Result 16/20 by far one of the best mark I ever had!
I had the chance to fall on an open-minded examiner. Not that kind of conservative person, fixed with this archaic way of education, answering to stupid questions which can determinate your future.
What is this kind of teaching? Instead of highlighting the diversity of individual thoughts, and to help students to find their own ways to develop their inner talent, we are mass-producing students who have to pass a quality control like products build in series; defective, out-of-date, out of standard, they will be put to the dumpster.
During all my schooling I felt suppressed.
Here is the school I was dreaming of, and what I dream to create for our children:
The Wander Woman
J’abandonne tout pour dessiner sur la carte de France, en 80 jours un coeur, au volant de mon van aménagé,
tout en photographiant et en partageant les histoires des gens que je rencontre.
Qui m’aime me suive!
VOUS AIMEZ? PARTAGEZ!