I feel I have made so much progress learning THE FRENCH LANGUAGE at ECOLE DES TROIS PONTS, and it has not just been in the classroom. Of course this is where verbs have been taught, tenses learned and re-learned, vocabulary enhanced, but I have learned equally as much from my fellow students and during the three and a half hours spent eating and socializing.
The well established formal routine fostered by ECOLE DES TROIS PONTS has enhanced my understanding of the FRENCH LANGUAGE by providing the structure in which to learn each day. It sounds controlling to say there is a formal timetable, but this well-established method means that at every opportunity the student is IMMERSED LEARNING THE FRENCH LANGUAGE.
Of course, it also means at the end of the first week I (and my colleagues) are very tired. Many of us are MATURE STUDENTS and have not been in a classroom for decades, so the unusual aspect of sitting for over three hours every morning, concentrating and expected to respond in another language, was totally draining. Some students were leaving after completing only one week, and I would be amiss to say I was not slightly jealous of those, knowing they were now “free”. But at the same time, I was excited to have two days away from the classroom, whereupon I could recharge my batteries, become a tourist and take myself off to explore this wonderful country and practice my new FRENCH LANGUAGE SKILLS.
One student had suggested those staying Saturday night should get together and go out for dinner, and The Director had provided recommendations on the local restaurants. The school does not provide lunch or dinner on Saturday, nor on Sunday lunchtime. As I had eaten so much during the first week this was to be a welcome hardship!
Leaflets and tourist information is provided in the dining room, and I had already thought that on either Saturday or Sunday I would take a train to Vichy and then spend the other day totally relaxing. The weather forecast was good and there were two sun lounges in the garden which were crying out to be used…
It is amazing how many experiences I have had in this last week, from initial intense trepidation, to the making of a whole group of totally different friends from so many different countries. I have shared things about my life and family in the classroom, in another language, with people who started off as strangers, but whom I now regard as confidents. I have built on those FRENCH LANGUAGE SKILLS, got to know the lovely town of Roanne, and eaten the amazing cuisine offered at ECOLE DES TROIS PONTS. I have become immensely happy with my life here and am looking forward not only to my next week, but to my next visit, as like so many students here, I have every intention to return. Oh, and my ability to speak and understand THE FRENCH LANGUAGE has improved in leaps and bounds!
Jayne Seagrave is a BC Best selling Author. The ninth edition of her book Camping British Columbia, the Rockies and the Yukon was published by Heritage House in April 2023. Over 60,000 of her camping books have been sold. She also writes fiction, non-fiction, freelance articles and occasionally teaches writing and publishing courses. She has attended Ecole Des Trois Ponts on four occasions. See: www.jayneseagrave.com
