Recognizing the need for understanding French grammar amongst my fellow students at the Acceuil Ville France classes in Carcassonne, last January I offered to tutor. I principally targeted a couple from Oregon who I could see were exteremely confused and frustrated. If you don’t know the grammar, the French language is impossible.
So we have met every Friday for 90 minutes building vocabulary and working through several programmed texts on vocabulary, grammar and communication (23 sessions to date). I add words and expressions that I have found useful and important to daily life. For that reason, I call the class Practical French.
We’ve progressed to reading our first book, Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince). In addition we’ll read articles from the news and other pieces of local interest. Yesterday we read an article providing an update on the Coronavirus worldwide. Finally, I will quiz them to reinforce what we have learned by adding a section entitled Que savons-nous? (What do we know?) It’s fun and we learn together.
I am thoroughly enjoying teaching this class because first of all, they are a nice bunch of people. We always have fun together. Bertha is from Northern Ireland, Her husband, Ged, a Scotsman, joins us occasionally. Vibeke is American with an American husband, Jeff. Jim is from Ireland vis the UK living outside London for his career. Finally, Dmitri is Russian.
But I also find that as I prepare for each class, I am learning and growing myself. When you teach, you learn.
I am fortunate to have my friend Chantal with whom I meet weekly for coffee for her to answer any questions I may have as I prepare. It’s working well. Chantal has also joined us on a couple of occasions to help us with particular issues. We are grateful.
This week we celebrated Vibeke’s birthday. During the pandemic we met via videoconferencing. But since the lockdown was lifted May 11, if the weather is nice, we’ll meet at Jim & Yoshi’s home just outside my village of Montréal who set up small tables for social distancing. Sometimes we’ll do lunch. Moreoften, I’ll bake something and the others bring wine. Our 90-minute sessions become more like a few hours of learning, relaxing and conversation. I think that the pandemic has given us all a new perspective and our time together is of even greater value because it is likely the only social thing we do all week.
Vibeke LOVES everything chocolate so I gave her a few ideas of things I could make and her choice was a chocolate mousse cake. So that I did (for the first time) and I was pleased. Three-quarters of the mousse is baked in a spring-form pan then cooled. The remaining mousse is placed on top with diced cherries that have been marinated in Kirsch, then it is refrigerated overnight. To finish it off, whipped cream is added with crumbled chocolate-covered dentelles sprinkled on top..
Here are a few photos from our gathering yesterday afternoon. Dmitri was absent as he is away this week. We met on a Thursday because today I am off to Nice to help my friend Jennifer celebrate her birthday. We have a special day lined up tomorrow with a drive up into the Alps. Stay tuned for my report on this little adventure!
Finding connections and meaning is what life is about. Your post reminded me that we can find this life sustaining gift wherever we are. Enjoy your trip into the Alps.
Thank you. And yes, when we find those connections of shared values, it is a gift.
Indeed, you are living the dream!!
Thanks, Greg. Someone told me when I was 19 that if you want it to happen, you have to make it happen. I have never forgotten that and it keeps me moving. As we are discovering, life can pass us by all too quickly. I have always considered life an adventure of learning and discovery. This is merely the next step in pursuing yet another passion. I am not giving up any time soon! I hope you are well.