Bonjour,
C'est LeKynik. Je suis en
france, en fait à Lyon. Tous se passe très bien!!! I am
so very sorry that I haven't been in touch much sooner about my experiences
here. Time here is flying. I have been very fortunate because an apartment
had been provided for me and two other anglophone assistants, rent free!
Fortunately, we all get along well.
I didn't know prior to my
departure that an apartment was being provided, because I wasn't making
contact with the right people before I left. So, I was a bit nervous
when I first arrived, not knowing where I was going to live. In fact
it was quite scary. If an apartment was not provided, other options
were available to me. A few teachers at the "stage d'acceuil"
said that I could stay with them until I found a place to stay. They
said that they would never leave any of us out in the cold. During the
"stage" all of the assistants were lodged in a university
residence for two nights.
I am actually teaching and
living in a suburb of Lyon, Saint Priest. I am a primary school assistant.
I teach in four different schools in Saint Priest, all of which are
public schools. They all are pretty tough schools. I have eight classes
total and over two hundred students. It sounds a bit overwhelming, but
it all works out. I work on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. My long
weekend permits me to travel!
All of my students were very
welcoming when I first arrived, and posed many questions. I get the
impression that most of them feel very privileged to have a real life
anglophone teaching in their school. It is great. I really like what
I am doing, it is a great experience. Because virtually all the assistants
have no pedagogical experience prior, we have formation meetings almost
every month. There we are given ideas and tools for teaching. We are
also encouraged to express any concerns or problems. I am not ever alone
in any of our classes. In fact, we are never to be alone in classes,
because we are only assistants there to provide culture and our accents.
The administrative process
went well too. It was timely, but all worked out. I got my carte de
séjour in November I believe. I did as I was
suppose to the carnet, and in a timely manner. Therefore I was never
rushed. I realize that I have been very fortunate with how everything
worked out for me, because I have heard horror stories. It took a while
to get used to everything, but until you do ask questions. Do not be
afraid! I will be home in early May. I will be happy to bring pictures
of me and the kids, old lesson plans, anything to help.