Indian lessons the French way

Updated on: Saturday, February 26, 2011

With a stunning tattoo of a blue-backed barn swallow on an arm, a ponytail, and a stack of books by Beat authors in his room, Briac appears to be on a vacation. But, he is one of the seven French youngsters — Elodie, Emily, Ingrid, Mathilde, Coline, Julien — on a ‘teaching tour' of Chennai schools. They will teach primary class students for a week at each of the three chosen schools — Seva Sadan, Venkatasubba Rao and Lady Andal — not so much to impart knowledge as to receive it.

On the threshold of their careers as school instructors, they expect to take away insights into teaching methods in India as well as a first-hand understanding of a country that has been a source of unending curiosity for them. An exchange programme between the University of Montpellier — where they've completed a teachers' training course — and the University of Madras made this possible.

“We could have picked any country from a list given to us. We chose India,” says Julien. They seemed to have been drawn by the challenge of operating in an education system different from the one in France. “Primary class teachers in France are expected to teach all the subjects to their students,” says Julien.

Except for Briac, who celebrated his 30th birthday a few days ago, the teachers are in their early 20s. But, lack of experience does not make them nervous. “Indian students are more respectful of their teachers than French students,” says Briac. “Their grasp of the English language amazes us,” gushes Coline, but adds: “The Indian accent, however, needs getting adjusted to.” Teachers at these schools are helping solve problems of communication.

Chitra Krishnan, director, International Centre of the University of Madras (ICOM), who coordinates this exchange programme, says they have the advantage of taking the classes with the regular teachers. Having taught a lesson, the Indian teacher will ask his / her French counterpart to demonstrate how this will be dealt with in a French classroom. “It widens the boundaries of knowledge for everyone — the Indian and French teachers and the students,” says Chitra.

The French teachers use the weekends to discover India.

Indian lessons the French way

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