A bio from Cheryl:
I have been teaching for nearly 20 years now, and only “found” TPRS/CI about four years ago. Anne asked, “You know how kids can do anything you want, and do it really well, and still not get the language? I found the answer.” So I started with a visit to her class, and started going to the Maine TPRS conference. I would still call myself a beginner, but my students have since gained a lot in the sense of the language, and are happily adding personal, kooky details to stories. The Maine conference is like a yearly power shot; I don’t know how to express the help it is to me every year. The blog is like my daily vitamin; thanks, everyone, for sharing thoughts and ideas!
I am lucky to have a principal who sees the sense in what I am doing in the classroom, and as the only French teacher in the building, I have enough autonomy to teach as I see fit. I do, however, feed a very traditional high school. My students need to be familiar with certain topics, so I am guilty of targeted CI. I do not want my kids stuck in the middle of a pedagogic debate, but rather to carry their sense of the language with them like a banner. I am currently working on being allowed to not purchase a new set of text books, but to only agree to have students ready for the same material as the other feeder school’s traditional students. I love the idea of saving thousands of dollars along with bringing my students to communicative proficiency!
I think I struggle with much of the same things other CI teachers do: staying slow enough, and in bounds, and on focus. I have had a few days of utter magic–days when the kids are spellbound by the fact that I am speaking to them in French, and they are getting it!! These days are the fuel to keep me going through the days when the energy lags. I have so much fun with the kids and their imaginations as they make the language come alive, I have rediscovered a level of enjoyment in teaching that makes some teachers my age downright jealous! Thanks to you, Ben, and everyone whose experiences and questions mirror my own and give me new perspectives.
Cheryl Cowherd