Carnet de voyage d’un Comenius teacher en Angleterre

Back from my trip to Stoke.. Thoughts and impressions…

It is now three weeks since we came back from our week away in Stoke, yet, I still keep some vivid memories of this enriching and beneficial experience.

This project was all new to me since the exchanges I had taken part in so far, were only one-to-one partnerships. When noticing the students’ enthusiasm while presenting their region and school to their partners’, I couldn’t help thinking that this difficult task had only been made possible thanks to the previous work they had accomplished in class with their other classmates. In this connection, I find the processes of working together on one and final production essential, for it nourishes the students’ motivation –they make a point of doing well since they have to share it with foreign students in the end- not to mention the cultural and linguistic benefits they get out of their research.

Besides, the blog seems to be a good idea since it gives the opportunity to all students who have been involved in the project to get in touch with their other partners who have also worked in the shadow.

Regarding the use of English, it is all benefits for most students (except for our English friends maybe ?). Not only do they use it to write for their own productions but also to communicate when meeting abroad or on the internet. Moreover, the students were not only given the chance to get to know their English host families and penfriends –whom they all left regretfully by the way- but they also mixed very well and very quickly with their other European partners. Hence, they used their English with natives of course but with other Europeans too, so much so that they rapidly forgot about their reserve and mother tongue.

I realized then that such a project might well be appropriate to students from the tertiary sector. Not to mention the research they have to make in their own country, using specific vocabulary which they are precisely required to study in their management or marketing subjects, they can also benefit from a linguistic level.

Indeed, even if these students are not often so fluent in English, I think they would overcome their difficulties more willingly given the fact that their English does not have to be perfect but necessary, though, to communicate with all partners.

Similarly, from a personal point of view, I really enjoyed being given the opportunity to meet teachers from different countries. All the time spent together either at school, on the bus, during meals or lovely walks like the one in Trentham Gardens -or the very first memorable one to the pub, clutching umbrellas, fighting against unleashed weather !- gave rise to rich and sometimes funny discussions. Our teaching methods, our working conditions as well as our wages or maternity leave –or the English name given to this poor flat and spotted fish !- may differ from one country to another, however, one thing which I noticed we all have in common is the interest we share for our students and the feeling that we have never “finished” with our work …

As regards the different places we visited around Stoke, I must say they were all worth discovering for various reasons.

To start with, I was really amazed by the presentation of the Wedgwood museum. Apart from the fact that I could see one of the finest pottery in the world, I got impressed by the way our guide managed to get the students involved in the visit. This idea of gathering students from different countries and making them react on what they had seen, on a slideshow of their own, was a clever idea. Even though our group did not manage to agree on the earthenware works –the photographers were running too fast !- we had a good time searching and commenting on the photos as well as watching the other productions.

The tour of the Mansion was also worthy of interest. Our guide was the only one to be dressed in Victorian style, yet, after a few minutes walk along the long corridor in the basement, we very much felt like servants ourselves and could almost hear the bell ring, calling for some whimsical request.

Trentham Gardens was at last ideal for boys who could comfort girls in the big wheel and display their male talent. It was also quite suitable for girls –and teachers !- who enjoyed spending their last pennies on the “must” souvenirs to bring back home.

Finally, I cannot but underline the precious time we spent at St Peter’s. Again, our students and we ourselves, had the chance either to attend or observe some typical school moments or lessons. The Assembly particularly caught my attention. All these students gathered in one place, remaining silent and respectful while listening to the enumeration of pupils’ rewards… On that very first day of our arrival, some pupils were honoured either for their contribution to charity raisings or sports results. They were called and invited on the stage to receive a prize under their classmates’ applauds. I could feel the pride and satisfaction from those deserving students –it gave me food for thought : ‘do I ever congratulate a student for what he has done, apart from his school results ?’

Then, to a larger extent, I could also notice the feeling of belonging to one and a unique team, whatever the ages or origins. Second food for thought : the wearing of uniform possibly contributes to it . Once again, this controversial subject was evoked during our stay, either with students –at a very special French lesson- or with teachers. I understood the girls who told me they would prefer to wear their own clothes, as we do, yet doesn’t it help them and their parents resist peer pressure ? At a time when appearance is getting more and more important, students often fancy the latest fashionable brand -which their parents cannot always afford- and eventually look like each others. Isn’t there another way of asserting talent and personality ?

There were some other very special moments which I also appreciated such as the staff briefing in the morning during which all the teachers meet and wait for their Head’s last information while sharing their first cup of tea.. The teachers’ warm welcome, who kindly opened their door and let us in despite the inconvenience… Or the Buffet meal on the last evening, prepared by the Head himself, shared with all the students and families…

Overall I was definitely impressed by the team’s work and organization and I am strongly considering taking part in a project of this kind again, for I am convinced it can give meaning to my work.

Last but not least, once I was back in school I looked forward to meeting the students involved in the project and urged them to get their work ready for the next meeting. For I know their motivation also depends on their teachers’ interest, I sincerely hope that one of them will join the next delegation in Lithuania.

Thank you Steven for this perfect organization and the time you devoted to us.

Thanks to you all for being so kind. It was a real pleasure meeting you.

Special thanks to Christine, our great coordinator and to Lionel of course who runs the project down here with a master’s hand !

I look forward to hearing about your next meeting in Lithuania.

Best wishes to you all.

MA CHERON