For my students in India.

Yes, I have taught young kids in India. And now I am teaching a bunch of teenagers here in France. It’s funny how despite all the differences (cultural, social, political, etc.), kids are just the same when it comes to teaching them. 

Dear Students,

I had my first introductory class at one of the colleges today. Kids were delighted to see me, and I could see it in their eyes. The level of English that children speak here is not very good but the thing that  I love the most is that they try! I remember how difficult it was for me when I used to take Engilsh classes in India. In India, it’s Hindi that is killing English learning; in France it’s french. The best way to make someone learn a language is to make them learn it without a reference language.  It’s difficult but that’s what our work as teachers should be! So you see, you should try to learn the language without translating it. And these lovely kids here, they remind me you all, all the time!

On my first day, students had all kinds of questions to ask me. They were shy in the beginning but eventually they opened-up and started asking more questions. The best part was when I told them that I don’t speak french, they were super disappointed because this implied that they would have to put efforts in order to talk to me. Imagine If one of your teachers told you that she can’t speak Hindi! 😉

So the other day, I met a student of 6ieme (so 6ieme is equivalent to class 6th in India), at the corridor and he asked me (in a very curious tone), “toi, tu enseigne quoi ici? Tu es professeur?” (what do you teach here, are you a teacher?) I wanted to pull his ‘dimpled-cheeks’ and answer him in French but I pretended I didn’t understand his question. I told him that I don’t speak French. He took a deep breath and asked me in broken English, “you… teacher.. here.. what?”. Seeing him struggle searching for correct words, I couldn’t stop smiling. I listened to him patiently until he finished his sentence. Then I explained him that I was an English teacher. In the meanwhile others from his class joined him and started asking me questions in French. He then explained to everyone (in french) that I don’t understand French. He proposed to me that he would love to act as my translator for the time being. This cute little bundle of happiness, made my day! While the group asked me multiple questions in French, he tried his best to explain the meanings in English.

I can’t even explain how happy I am to be here!

It’s a different life with different people but it’s beautiful in its own right.

I hope all of you must be doing absolutely great.

The other day, I received a Facebook inbox from Rishabh, one of my student from DAV Public School. It was lovely to hear from him after such a long time. “We miss you ma’am,” is always lovely to hear!

Write to me sometime!

I would love to hear from you! 🙂

Ciao for now!