Love Languages?

Written for youthinformation.com by Catherine Graham

I sigh wearily as I glance at the three crates of parsnips still to be peeled; between the four other British girls and I we must have already got through at least 100 parsnips! All in the name of appreciation and joyful get-togethers I flex my hand and continue with fresh enthusiasm. I was spending the weekend in west France with my friend Luke. For the past year he has been working on the local government gap year scheme, introduced by resident British co-ordinator Julie Legrée in 1988, for British students who want to improve their French speaking and boost their teaching experience. Luke spent a year in Germany originally as his degree is in German, French and Business (Languages and Business Studies); his passion for languages was so strong that he researched an independent year in France to further broaden his knowledge.

The scheme he applied for was a placement teaching English in two French secondary schools, a unique local government scheme that can be found at www.gapyear-france.com. This scheme is the only one of its kind and has existed for almost 20 years, and it involves the students teaching English in local secondary and primary schools throughout the school year to children aged between 5 and 21. They are accommodated by local French host families, who, astoundingly, provide full board and lodging; they are not financially reimbursed by the students themselves or by the scheme organisers. Their goodwill and keenness to experience different cultures is the only required element: an admirable outlook.

This particular evening, my vegetable peeling skills were put to good use due to the organisation of a great dinner party, which was being hosted by the five British students from the “Service Anglais” department for all their French host families. As a thank-you for their hard work and dedication my friend Luke and the rest of the group was preparing a wonderful British feast of steak and mushroom pie with roasted vegetables followed by a traditional apple pie and chocolate pudding. As exciting as it was, we still had a fair way to go with producing this perfect meal for over 50 families! But the whole idea of the scheme is so full of goodwill and generosity that you could not feel anything but enthusiasm and motivation for it.

When I arrived in Montaigu, the quaint town where Luke has been placed for the year, I spent a day or two experiencing the lifestyle, the work routine and the day-to-day relationships, and I felt truly drawn to this teaching scheme. Through a placement such as this, as well as drastically taking command of the French language, students benefit from this unique opportunity to experience living in France within a typical French family environment, widening their horizons and cultural appreciation thoroughly. There is surely no better way of immersing oneself than this, if you love languages and enjoy new experiences. As I sat down to dinner, feeling very welcomed by everyone and amidst a bustling hall of laughter and merriment, I almost felt like one of the students taking part in this scheme. There was a positive atmosphere and the sound of Luke's fluent French babbling on next to me reminded me of the great learning curve involved in this scheme. There is in fact no parallel programme in the UK which is surely a shame as I am sure French students would love to branch out in the same way that British students can in France.

To take part in this course, the only requirements are that your age is between 18 and 25, and that you possess A-level French. An experience of staying in France and work experience involving children is an advantage but not a requirement. However, most of all, the only other real pre-requisite is an open mind towards a different lifestyle and a strong commitment towards integrating within the local community. Go for it!

Telephone (from UK): 00.33.2.51.46.45.45
Fax (from UK): 00.33.2.51.46.45.40.

Find out more at: www.gapyear-france.com