Article :: French Students ::
Learning a second language is no piece of cake. Luckily, students have many aid materials to help along the way of bilingualism: dictionaries, language labs, the Internet, tutoring and… having a native-language correspondent. YHS has started an initiative of exchange to bring French to students in their very homes. AP French teacher Madame Schollaeart said that “The exchange is with Lycée Marc Chagall in Reims, France, and has been going on since 2001. Thirty-five students are coming with three teachers and will be staying in Arlington from February 16-March 1. The exchange is every other year so this year they come, next year we go.”
The purpose of the program is to expose American and French students to their respective lifestyles. Host parent Benedicte Monroe said, “I think it gives these students an opportunity to spend some time in the US at a rather low cost and to meet with students their age. For American students, it is a great opportunity to have a close but brief look at foreign students.” Exchange programs allow students to share ideas and look at different world perspectives. Senior Emma Kiser said that these programs let students “see how other people in the world live, which will make them more understanding, tolerant and open minded.”
The application process consisted of various forms and questions. Schollaeart said, “Those who wanted to filled out a short application where they noted their ages, family members, pets, interests and activities. This year we had a waiting list of families who wanted to host, which was a very good thing because we had several last minute
cancellations. The actual matching was done in France by the teachers
who will be coming.” Both parents and students had to complete the application. “I had to answer different questions on my daughter and my family, so that the school person in charge of the program could figure out if there would be a French student matching our family,” said Monroe. “They just wanted to know what our personality and family was like so they could match us with a compatible person,” said Kiser.
Sophomore Margaret Taylor hopes to better understand French culture. “I am part French, and it will be interesting to experience French culture firsthand.” Taylor has been taking French for four years. “It’s a very beautiful language, and so is the culture. I love French food. It’s unique and refined.” Meanwhile, Kiser said, “I think they view food as a pleasure of life, something which can enrich your world. When you savor food, it makes life a little sweeter. I also like the strong nationalism.”
Taylor has many ideas of activities she can share with her correspondent Jade Copet. “Definitely shopping,” she said. “I want to take her to a basketball game and to the play ‘Ella’ at Arena Stage.” Kiser, too, expressed enthusiasm at the activities that will bond her to her correspondent. “I would like to show her a regular day in my life. Also I can’t wait to drive her around! In France they can’t get their licenses until they are 18, so it’s a big deal that everyone who’s 16 or 17 [in Arlington] has a license and usually a car.”
Not only are the students eager to gain as much as they can from this unique experience, but they are determined to show French students one or two things about American teenagers. When asked what she hoped to teach her correspondent about America Kiser said, “That we have a sense of humor and can enjoy life, too.” Taylor also desires to show the French students another perspective. “Americans are not all stupid, and we are not what the movies portray us to be.”
The purpose of the program is to expose American and French students to their respective lifestyles. Host parent Benedicte Monroe said, “I think it gives these students an opportunity to spend some time in the US at a rather low cost and to meet with students their age. For American students, it is a great opportunity to have a close but brief look at foreign students.” Exchange programs allow students to share ideas and look at different world perspectives. Senior Emma Kiser said that these programs let students “see how other people in the world live, which will make them more understanding, tolerant and open minded.”
The application process consisted of various forms and questions. Schollaeart said, “Those who wanted to filled out a short application where they noted their ages, family members, pets, interests and activities. This year we had a waiting list of families who wanted to host, which was a very good thing because we had several last minute
cancellations. The actual matching was done in France by the teachers
who will be coming.” Both parents and students had to complete the application. “I had to answer different questions on my daughter and my family, so that the school person in charge of the program could figure out if there would be a French student matching our family,” said Monroe. “They just wanted to know what our personality and family was like so they could match us with a compatible person,” said Kiser.
Sophomore Margaret Taylor hopes to better understand French culture. “I am part French, and it will be interesting to experience French culture firsthand.” Taylor has been taking French for four years. “It’s a very beautiful language, and so is the culture. I love French food. It’s unique and refined.” Meanwhile, Kiser said, “I think they view food as a pleasure of life, something which can enrich your world. When you savor food, it makes life a little sweeter. I also like the strong nationalism.”
Taylor has many ideas of activities she can share with her correspondent Jade Copet. “Definitely shopping,” she said. “I want to take her to a basketball game and to the play ‘Ella’ at Arena Stage.” Kiser, too, expressed enthusiasm at the activities that will bond her to her correspondent. “I would like to show her a regular day in my life. Also I can’t wait to drive her around! In France they can’t get their licenses until they are 18, so it’s a big deal that everyone who’s 16 or 17 [in Arlington] has a license and usually a car.”
Not only are the students eager to gain as much as they can from this unique experience, but they are determined to show French students one or two things about American teenagers. When asked what she hoped to teach her correspondent about America Kiser said, “That we have a sense of humor and can enjoy life, too.” Taylor also desires to show the French students another perspective. “Americans are not all stupid, and we are not what the movies portray us to be.”