Learning French?... “C’est facile”!

To mark International Teachers' Day (5th October), we met A., a teacher of French as a foreign language in Geneva, at ASC Languages, a language school like no other. People do not come here just to learn a language, but also to find their place, find a job, understand Swiss society... and sometimes, rebuild their lives.

This passionate teacher enthusiastically shares her experience in this unique context, where French becomes a powerful tool for integration

She is convinced that learning French is easy when the right conditions are in place.

You teach French to people in the process of social and/or professional integration. Does this context change the way you teach?

A. : Yes, completely. We teach everyday, useful, concrete French. We talk about appointments with the student’s advisor, making doctor's appointments, their children's schooling or filling in administrative forms. Every word taught is immediately useful. You can feel the direct impact of learning on learners' lives and this motivates them enormously. When you realise that the language is a bridge to autonomy, you get more involved and you realise that French is easy! “Le français, c’est facile !”

And how do learners react to the French language? Some of them have come from very far away, sometimes with very difficult or even painful backgrounds...

A. : That's true. Many of them have had complex and sometimes traumatic migratory experiences. But French quickly becomes a reference point, a key. The learners are incredibly motivated and resilient. We build bridges of trust and goodwill. And very quickly, they dare to speak, to express themselves, to tell their stories. The progress is sometimes dazzling. We see people regain their self-confidence thanks to a few well-spoken phrases. It's very moving. Thanks to this new-found confidence, French has just got a whole lot easier!

Yet some aspects of French can seem daunting... grammar, conjugation, agreements...

A. : Yes, but it all depends on how you approach them. At our school, we do a lot of speaking, role-plays and other communicative activities. We learn by doing, by making mistakes, often laughing and always smiling. Learners support and help each other. The aim is not perfection, but communication. And when you hear a learner proudly say ‘I've found a job’, or ‘I've had an interview’, you realise that it was worth every little effort and that... French is easy!

What about pronunciation? It's not always easy, especially for those who don't know the Latin sounds...

A. : We work a lot with a lot of different materials. And we play it down! We laugh a lot in class. We mime, we exaggerate, sometimes we sing. These are light-hearted moments that create a bond and help us get to grips with the language. It doesn't matter if you have an accent or make mistakes, the important thing is to speak, to dare. And the more you dare, the more progress you make. If you're daring, French is a lot easier!

In a few words, why is learning French here in Geneva such a great opportunity?

A. : Because Geneva is a multicultural city, full of opportunities, but where language remains an indispensable prerequisite. At our language school, you learn French to find a job, to understand your rights, to take your children to school and to participate in civic life. It's concrete, living, necessary. And with the right support, kindness, lots of fun and a bit of confidence... French really is easy, “le français, c’est vraiment facile” !

International Teachers’ Day

on 5th October!

International Teachers’ Day

Every year on 5th October, World Teachers' Day celebrates those who make education a reality. It's the perfect opportunity to highlight the importance of teachers internationally, but also the challenges of this essential profession.

This day reminds us of the importance of guaranteeing quality education for all, highlighting the challenges faced by teachers and recognising their invaluable contribution to education and to the development of the country, whether on a cultural or economic level.

The ideal teacher

The ideal language teacher has complementary human and professional qualities. He or she is a linguistic expert, a passionate communicator and a teacher who is attentive to the individual needs of each learner. To deliver high-quality language teaching to migrants, language trainers in the field of integration also need a range of subject-specific, methodological and social skills.

Key qualities of a language teacher:

Mastery of the language: The teacher must have an excellent command of the language taught, both in terms of grammar and cultural and linguistic nuances.
Effective communication: The teacher must be comfortable explaining complex concepts in a clear and accessible way, while creating a climate of confidence and encouragement.
Adapted teaching methods: They must be able to adapt their teaching methods to the different learning styles and profiles of their students, as well as to their language level.
Patience and empathy: Teachers must show patience and empathy towards learners, encouraging them to persevere even in the face of difficulties.
Creativity and dynamism: They must make learning the language interesting and motivating, by proposing varied and stimulating activities.
Passion for teaching: They must be passionate about the language being taught and about helping others to learn it.
Organisational skills: They should organise their lessons in a clear and structured way, using appropriate teaching tools and materials.
Open-mindedness: They should be open to different cultures and perspectives, encouraging students to develop their intellectual curiosity.

In short, the ideal language teacher is a guide who accompanies each learner on his or her linguistic journey, while at the same time creating a sense of belonging.