Romancing the black board

le 31 mars, 2014
I can hardly believe that it is almost the end of Assistanat, the end of this unbridled glorious journey! Apart from incessant and at times trying travels across Europe, I had the best time during classes.

It started with a short and chirpy “Hello!” which, by mid-term, would have changed irrevocably to an ascending and over zealously exclaimed ”Hellooohhh”, following in the footsteps of my students. I was prepared for the numerous curios stares and excited whispers that greeted m e in every class. A blond turned to a brown and spoke in hushed tones, who in turn spoke to a brunette, and hence, there was a cackle of adolescent voices, no doubt having a quick classroom exchange of notes on the newbie in the school.  Slowly, after shooting them warm smiles and encouraging words, shy voices asked me about my life, my family, my likes and dislikes; which seemed rather run-of-the-mill to me, having lived with these attributes and people all my life. However, they were welcomed with an awful lot of enthusiasm, so much so that in spite of myself, I went on a short (read massive) ego trip for the first few weeks, every time I met a new class. I was enjoying every bit of it from the copper bottom of my heart. Spotting an Indian in Verdun was like spotting a rare bird.

I was pleased to find classrooms fully equipped with computers, internet and high-end projectors and smart boards.  French schools fully understood the importance of audio-visual aids for teaching, which made the process of learning much more dynamic. I could prepare Power point presentations all that I wanted, and I joyfully came armed with a world of information on a single memory stick. Saving paper in school, which is one of the highest consumers, was never so easy. 

A language assistant such as me would normally conduct a variety of oral and written activities to improve the students’ English. It is my job to bring the fun quotient to learning a language, whilst also teaching them something worthwhile. I have had the good fortune to teach at 2 different tiers of the French school system – the college and the lycée, i.e. junior high and high school. Now, many people would think it’s difficult to handle high school students, but I have had, and continue having, a very enjoyable time at Lycée Jean-Auguste Margueritte. It is fun and also challenging to teach students who are not too young. It really gave me a chance to have meaningful discussions with them. At Collège St. Exupéry, the kids were just adorable. I can say their baby steps in English have improved to a short and comfortable stride. It is an enriching English lecture to have an Indian who helps them not only with the nuances of the language, but also explains the rich culture at the same time. 

My students were astonishingly polite, sneering and mocking practically non-existent; and I guiltily remembered how naughty a class we were, having driven out new teachers and pained old ones to no end with our “fish-market” like chatter. Even dichotomous groups in the class came together miraculously when you mentioned mischief.

The most prominent difference between French and Indian students was the attire. French students, unlike Indian, didn't have to put up with the retching dislike and shame, in the case of some, brought about by uniforms that were a treacherous C of cuts and colours. The girls here seemed to have come straight out of a fashion magazine. With long, well coiffed hair, trendy jackets and high boots, they resembled unique stylists instead of teenagers. And since they grow tall so fast, they seemed to be older than most boys their age. The boys looked more their age and funky haircuts were a rage among boys and girls alike.

However, where student’s apparel is concerned, I think Indian schools are on the right page with the enforcement of a strict uniform. While some people may think dressing up painfully to the point of perfection eats into the time young children, possibly distracting them, there is another reason why I feel a uniform is the best bet. It ensures that everybody is on an equal platform, and moreover, in a country where social differences are starkly visible from attire, I think it only just that real judgement be reserved to one’s knowledge and performance.

The students here do talk among themselves, like in India. But a teacher does not have as much power in the classroom, unlike in India. They cannot lay a finger on a misbehaving student. All must go as per the book, with intervention from the council in “dire” situations; whereas in Indian classrooms, matters are easily sorted with a tiny slap across the face, which is considered only normal. Even in cases of gross indiscipline, a teacher here is interdicted from taking severe steps. Physical contact be it innocent, with a child, is a no-no. Though high intolerance for paedophile or incongruent behaviour must have been at the base of barring even an encouraging pat – which is quite a normal reaction from a teacher, it is too bad that it has come to this.

But all in all, Assistanat is turning out to be a learning experience. The biggest challenge is to spark interest in a child’s mind, and hence activities have to be carefully chosen. Also, I am learning to be a lot more patient while dealing with students. I have learnt not to assume things and clearly ask after every few minutes whether they have understood or not. Further, condescension and exasperation have to be thrown out of the window when correcting their English. Their sensitivities are like a tortoise, one harsh word in front of the class and they might retreat into their shells. 
On a yet different note, I am being treated at par with the teachers. Even they treat me as their equals, which is quite novel as I still haven’t come out of student life entirely.

Every morning I am greeted with smiling faces, and I spend the day with a bunch of interesting kids who make the lessons worth the while. With some of them, I really feel like they have not only welcomed me in to their class, but also in to their hearts. Saying goodbye to the schools is definitely going to be hard.