Proposal

My chosen placement is at Orleans University in France, where I will spend 6 weeks in a French primary school as an English language assistant. This will involve me working with individuals and small groups of primary aged children, helping them with their English speaking, reading and writing. I have chosen this setting for my placement as I feel I would benefit from exploring a different culture (in this instance French), not only in a primary school setting but also in terms of food, celebrations and new customs. Being able to compare our primary school system to the French system in a hands-on, practical way would allow me to learn a lot about different teaching styles, learning spaces and a different curriculum. I would be able to work with children from diverse cultural backgrounds which I have not experienced before. Also, due to my placement being in France, I will need to be able to speak some French in the classroom and during everyday life. This will allow me to practice my French speaking in a very practical way, which in turn will mean I can use this new skill in future placements and in my career in teaching. In terms of what I can offer, I feel that I can return the favour and bring a sense of the Scottish culture to the French primary school pupils. Seeing as I will be volunteering in a local primary school and not an international school, some of the children may never have met a Scottish person before and I could give classes an idea of what it is like to live in Scotland and introduce them to some of our traditions. I feel that I am patient and supportive, both as a person and in my teaching, which is important for when children are learning a new language. Therefore, I think I would be a great asset to a French primary school classroom which is in need of an English language assistant.