Is it possible to teach English without resorting to L1? (part 3)

Fabienne:

The first thing I had to learn in my classes with Fabienne is to lower the tone of my voice. I wouldn't call myself loud. Nobody has ever asked me to lower the tone of my voice and neither did Fabienne. It was just the laid-back soft way she had in absolutely every sense which paved the way for a very "zen" approach to our classes.

We started playing games to get to know each other. She was really tuned in to the class and in her sweet calm way, she showed me how much she cared about my background. She asked me lots of things about Argentina, the reason that I was in Paris, my family in Buenos Aires (province). In a way, she was leading the class. She made me feel really comfortable.

It was her turn to play and open up. She smiled the broadest smile I had ever seen. She was beautiful. She told me her real Senegalese name. I tried to repeat it and she smiled at me openly, sincerely, without hiding her sympathy and pity for the awful way I had pronounced her name.

She was true to her style all the way - transparent, honest, soft. She told me about how much she missed Senegal and to what extent she also appreciated living in Paris. She talked about the advantages and disadvantages of being an African in France. I loved her detailed account of Senegal.

I could see the sunny beaches. I could feel the humidity and heat during the dry season. I particularly liked what she said about Senegalese women. They seemed to be very relaxed about their physical appearance. It was really fun to hear Fabienne contrast the French with the Senegalese. I could see the lattest wearing their colourful tunics and turbans. I could smell the chep-bu-jen they prepare. It was in her words "a land of passion" and she was definitely passionate herself when she talked about her country.

The class ran smoothly. We moved from one activity to the other quietly and we were really engaged in getting to know each other. We found more similarities than differences - being a foreigner in Paris, feeling that we didn't belong, enjoying the beauty of France, taking pride in our roots and learning to accept and respect differences.

Fabienne, who seemed reluctant to talk at first, eventually let go of her feelings "in English". I felt very proud of her and very grateful I had found these kids. My first class with Fabienne was a real journey - my actual trip in Europe.

If you're interested in the topic, you can also visit www.teachingenglish.org.uk/blogs/georginahudson (sponsored by the BBC and British Council)