[Pernickety]

Quote Rouvrou

I have one teacher who visibly winces when I sing with them (perhaps he is a musician!)

Rouvrou, I'm still sniggering at this!

Am also wading through all the info on the site you recommended, good to see the objectives in black and white.

[cjj]

I found it surprisingly easy to learn the signs for the words I use the most often with my students. I found it easier to learn the signs in the context of a story so I practiced by signing the stories I like to read/tell my students or have created with my students. Also, if a natural sign exists for the word, I use it instead of the SEE sign. Hot, cold, walk and run are a few that come to mind. Until this year, I’ve never had a class for more than one school year so the number of signs I need to know is limited to about 400.
As far as translation goes, I will from time to time translate a word the first time I introduce it. I sign and say if/si/if for example. But, for the first 10 hours or so I try to introduce only words that can be understood from my modeling. For example: Put on the coat, take 2 pencils, run to the door, sit on my chair, sit on your desk, run then jump, sing then shout your name. I also use pictures occasionally to clarify meaning and if someone blurts out something in French, like “I know” or “I don’t understand” or “who me?” I take that opportunity to teach the English equivalent and the appropriate sign.
The “good” teachers really enjoy watching me work with their class and can appreciate what I’m doing. They are so proud and supportive of the progress of their students. I love working with these classes. The other teachers use the time to make photocopies or grade papers – enough said. Every year I have entire classes of future teachers from IUFM come to observe my
classes . . . The feedback I receive is that my methods and the way I interact with my students are "American" or "made in USA".
There are always lots of comments about my "esprit positif et encourageant", constant smile, energy, utilisation of space, movement . . . but even the French teachers who are convinced of the efficacy of my methods say it isn't part of their culture and they tell me flat out they would never be comfortable utilising such techniques. I try not to give up hope.
By far my biggest supporters are the parents.

[Rouvrou]

Many thanks cjj for your informative and detailed posts - there are lots of ideas here that I will try to use and adapt for my own situation.
It seems to me that what you are describing here covers the principles of good teaching - clarity of objectives and varied and interesting activities which support those objectives. If you look at the English materials on the Standards site and the video clips on the linked NACELL site you will see that it is all based on active learning, with lots of ideas for visual and kinaesthetic learning; all very similar to your practice.
It does seem to me (admittedly only after a short exposure to French classrooms) that many of the things we have been talking about in England over the last ten years are not much under discussion here - climate for learning, creating the classroom environment, positive behaviour management, independence, active learning, assessment for learning etc etc.
Is this an accurate view? What do other people think?
regards
Rouvrou

[KEV5446]

Hi rouvrou i teach in spain in a semi private school to 6,7,8 year olds with about 20 children in class. we use the get set go books which prodides teacher and children with a very good base for language learning. they have all the objectives incorperated in a syllabus filled with games , songs and fun but with a very practical step by step way of introducing grammer through speaking , reading and singing. check it out and then with a few flashcrads you will be on your way. thew classroom is your repsonsiblity . you should take it on yourself to decorate with meaningfull english material based on a syllabus and that will inspire the children and make them feel homely. involve them with activities to make posters like picture dictionaries. photosfrom magazines with the french and english words written on and it will help them pick up the grammer.don´t take the easy english in a foreign country way out and wait for the school to paint the claassroom or provide you with a syllabus. teach with a guideline not here and there lessons and internet worksheet in five minutes worksheets invest in a good book with syllabus. contact macmillan or oxford.they have great products in spain with extra story and flashcards and cds with songs and a firm guideline to introduec the grammer and vocab the children needand these were designedandwrittenby pros. check outthe get set go books as soon as you can. you can get flashcards from mes-english on-line as well.