Borough Life Spring 2006: Wigan ’s French revolution
Hindsford schoolchildren Reece, Amy, Jamey and Conor are pictured with students Delphine Morand and Clara Sedano.
Trading places
Students from Angers’ Chevrollier school are currently enjoying work placements with a variety of local firms.
The three-month placements are the English-speaking part of their business and IT degrees.
Students from Angers are on the look out for more work placements for next year. Any local businesses that can offer a place should contact Claire Lemonnier on 01942 828950.
There’s a language revolution going on in Britain’s primary schools. And where there’s a revolution, it’s only right that the French are involved!
Students from twin town Angers have been in the borough to see how schoolchildren on this side of the Channel are experiencing the allure of the French language.
The government aims to make language lessons available to all seven to 11-year-olds by the end of the decade and three primary schools - Hindsford C of E, Leigh St Thomas’s and St James’ Worsley Mesnes - are leading the way.
Thanks to Jim and Marjorie Latham of Wigan’s Angers Twinning Association, and twinning ambassadors Vicki Cunliffe ( Angers) and Claire Lemonnier (Wigan), the trio of students were able to find host schools and families for their short stay in England.
All three are studying at Angers’ Université Catholique de L’Ouest and came to learn the Wigan way as part of their course. Clara Sedano, who was placed with Leigh St Thomas’s, explains: “My strong interest in children and teaching are my motivations for this project and coming to Leigh has helped improve my language skills and will benefit my professional career.”
And Marie Rahard, who was at St James in Worsley Mesnes adds: “All of the teachers and children were very nice and lovely with me. A lot of things about the school and teaching were very different than in many French schools.
“I think this experience will enrich me and I will use many of these ideas when I start teaching.”
Delphine Morand, who spent time at Hindsford, says: “English teaching methods are different than French ones, so coming to Atherton has been an interesting and enriching experience.
“I’ve previously been to a traditional African school and all these experiences have confirmed my intention to become a teacher.”
Hindsford CofE headteacher Lindsey Apps was delighted to have Delphine in school. She said: “She helped with our French week when the children learned phrases, tried French food and did some great artwork. The whole school enjoyed it!”