As I mentioned in the Daily Drop In, I've started going to a French class this morning. The last course I went on was City & Guilds Photography many years ago - over 20 years in fact. I'd forgotten what it was like! Such a wide range of students! 
The teacher - a 20-something (or perhaps early 30s) lady, English but having lived in French-speaking Caribbean countries for many years, and a very well-qualified linguist. Her spoken French was crystal clear and easy to follow. My neighbour and I went together and we both enjoyed it, but it brought home to me some big differences in people and how difficult it is to cater for everyone.
There was a man about my age, with O Level French like me - ie 60+ years ago. There was a genuine beginner who needed help with understanding 'beginner' words. My neighbour who is 10 years or so younger, visits France regularly and had done a class a few years ago, a 50 something lady who spoke so softly I couldn't hear her, a delightful young man with a range of special needs who had never had the chance to learn French at school, but really wants to, and his mum who was a great support to him. But the lady who troubled me was about my age, an artist who has been on ten previous French courses and never managed to learn enough French to feel confident of going to paint outdoors in France. She has hearing problems, no computer or mobile phone and was clearly unhappy when the teacher tried to use material from her tablet on to a tv screen. (It didn't work, but this lady was concerned.)
What struck me is that this lady is a visual learner who needs to see words written down as well as spoken and she needs to understand every little word in a sentence to get the meaning. I hope the teacher picks up on this and can help her.
Anyway, I was fascinated by the group of people and it will be very interesting to see how we all integrate within the group.
Moi? Je vais faire mes devoirs! (I'm going to do my homework.)
The teacher - a 20-something (or perhaps early 30s) lady, English but having lived in French-speaking Caribbean countries for many years, and a very well-qualified linguist. Her spoken French was crystal clear and easy to follow. My neighbour and I went together and we both enjoyed it, but it brought home to me some big differences in people and how difficult it is to cater for everyone.
There was a man about my age, with O Level French like me - ie 60+ years ago. There was a genuine beginner who needed help with understanding 'beginner' words. My neighbour who is 10 years or so younger, visits France regularly and had done a class a few years ago, a 50 something lady who spoke so softly I couldn't hear her, a delightful young man with a range of special needs who had never had the chance to learn French at school, but really wants to, and his mum who was a great support to him. But the lady who troubled me was about my age, an artist who has been on ten previous French courses and never managed to learn enough French to feel confident of going to paint outdoors in France. She has hearing problems, no computer or mobile phone and was clearly unhappy when the teacher tried to use material from her tablet on to a tv screen. (It didn't work, but this lady was concerned.)
What struck me is that this lady is a visual learner who needs to see words written down as well as spoken and she needs to understand every little word in a sentence to get the meaning. I hope the teacher picks up on this and can help her.
Anyway, I was fascinated by the group of people and it will be very interesting to see how we all integrate within the group.
Moi? Je vais faire mes devoirs! (I'm going to do my homework.)
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