As part of the Teaching English team I was kindly asked to write this blog to share some of my experience of working with young learners and teachers of young learners. Well September is here and I am settling into my new job as Senior Teacher at the BC in Paris. The job is amazing and everyday I'm learning something new. I've realised that this blog is going to be a great way of keeping a record of what exactly I'm learning. So my intention is to write a blog entry each week about one thing I've learnt that week.

Week 1

I have learnt that French parents REALLY want their children to learn English.

So this first week back has been all about placement tests; finding the right levels for students (YLs and adults), and trying to find places in classes. The BC in Paris has been expanding every year since it opened but short of teaching students outside on the grass - admittedly quite fun to do but realistically not so practical - we can not accommodate ALL of the children in Paris! Parents bringing their children to sign up for classes realise this and can quite often stretch the truth to get a place for thier child. I've heard contradicting stories about children's age, previous level, language spoken at home. They have imaginary English speaking babysitters, They invent mystery men who told them that there were places in that class - even describing the clothes he was wearing. If you are that man and you do really exist please stop telling parents there are places in classes where there are not. Stories of letters lost in the post are commonplace and apparently answering machines in general no longer work. I don't wish to offend anyone. I am truly flattered on behalf of the BC and English speakers worldwide that so many people want their children to learn our language. I wish we could teach them all - but we can't. But if you are a parent and you're reading this then first of all you could probably do some home schooling, secondly don't forget we have holiday classes and finally there ARE still a few places left but it depends on the age, level, time...

I read a cartoon strip in a recent copy of English Teaching professional which I fell in love with as it sums up my week. 

Potential student: I'd like to have group lessons at this language school. I'm Intermediate level, and I can only come on Monday and Thursday evenings.

Teacher Sorry. On Mondays and Thursdays we only have the beginner and advanced classes.

Potential student: Hmmm.

Potential student: Ok. No problem. I'll come to the beginner class on Mondays, and the advanced class on Thursdays.