Before I move on with today’s topic, I want to let you know that I got some news from Joyce in Moncton this afternoon… she passed her required levels in both reading comprehension and written expression with a very high C… she actually missed the E (exemption) only by 3 points! Useless to mention that, once again, I am thrilled! I will probably see her again, when she will have to prepare for her oral interaction test…
Congratulations Joyce!
March madness is still on around here… yesterday both Luna and Christie went for their written tests. From what I heard they think they did well… yet who can tell?… They should receive their results before the end of this week. I would not be surprised that, when I will see Christie for her oral interview simulation on Thursday, she will know… Alice will be tested on her oral skills tomorrow morning and, then, next Monday it will be Susan’s turn!
Because of all this turmoil and stress, last Friday Le Club français gathered together for dinner at Fratelli on Richmond Road in Wesboro (a very popular neighbourhood in Ottawa known for its boutiques, cafés, pubs and restaurants)… Almost everybody was there except for Dave and James who were outside of town (last week was March break in Ontario and many people were traveling with their kids): Alice, Seema, Susan, Frédéric, myself and even Jianlin joined in (she has been away in a boot camp since May 2008!).
I think there is no need for me telling you what was the main topic of the evening… Jianlin had taken her oral exam the day before, therefore she was not nervous… and if she were anxious to get her results, it did not show… actually Jianlin is someone who, I think, does not get easily excited with stuff like this… though I do not know her that well. Yet she does not give the impression that tests are overwhelming for her… she always looks relaxed! I do not believe she would be the kind of person being devastated if ever she did not get her required level. Personally I do think she has the right attitude… I have seen too many people get depressed over something that, in fact, is not so important! It is true that, at some point, they will have to meet their position language requirements… but if it does not happen this month, it might next month… and if not, the following one!… Why would anyone get sick over SLE tests?
Of course, last Friday, most of the conversation has been on either language training or upcoming tests! Three of the attendees are now in boot camps and they shared their views, experiences and stress… only Susan did not really engage in the topic, she rather discussed fishing and hunting with Frédéric. She will have her oral interview on March 30 and she is the kind of person who has to distantiate herself from this stressful event, otherwise she will be a bundle of nerves!… For instance, today, I took her out for breakfast chez Cora… she enjoyed a couple of hours in a relaxing atmosphere and she discussed in French as Molière would have!
It is always amazing to observe how people react to the same situation… Susan prefers to be oblivious of what is coming up… Seema tries and enjoys her training as much as she can without anticipating the tests (in her case, it will not happen soon anyways)… Jianlin is pretty much relaxed, I would say that she goes with the flow: what will be will be… On the other hand, Alice is focused on her upcoming test… actually I am glad that it will be over for her tomorrow because she really needs a break away from French! Hopefully she will enjoy her two week vacation biking in the States… and forget about the past months. Yet, knowing her, I am sure she will find some internet cafés everyday in order to check her incoming emails… I cannot imagine her not wanting to know about her results before her return to work! Well… she worked very hard (too hard indeed) and, if there is one person who deserves a C, it is Alice!…
Friday I realized I had only one student left from that bunch: Susan!… and in three days, her contract will also end. I will still see her though because she registered in my Intermediate French class series that will start on March 29… I think she will really enjoy being with peers from everywhere in the world and learning French only for fun. Since she is scheduled to attend a boot camp some time in May, I truly believe this class will help her cope with her predicament. Yet… she could actually get a C on the 30th because her French is now really good, in both comprehension and expression… I would not be surprised if she pulled out a C instead of her required B… In such case, she could avoid going to the Public Service School for further training.
Today she asked me if we would move on with Le Club français… why not?… Although I will no longer teach any of them, it does not mean we will not have outings once in a while.
For sure I will miss them… but I am ready to move on… I found a new niche where I really feel comfortable and where I know there is a need for my expertise… all these young people applying for jobs within the Public Service of Canada who need to meet the minimum language requirements (BBB) and do not know who to turn to in order to get help before their SLE tests… wherever they are located in Canada, I will help them to prepare and it makes me feel good. For years now I have been helping public servants, it is now time for me to help the newcomers who have a hard time finding resources and professional expertise… morevoer, I love working with young people!
Just a quick update as per March 25… A couple of minutes ago, I received an email from Christie who got her results: she got an E (exemption) in reading comprehension and a C in written expression!… Her new position language requirements are BBB… tomorrow we will start working on her upcoming oral interaction test and I am convinced she will be able to pull out a C quite easily! My students’ achievements keep me moving on with what I do (even if, sometimes, I am quite frustrated with these nonsense tests) because I firmly believe my help makes a difference… and more people I will help, happier I will be!
Congratulations Christie!
It is 1:45 pm, March 25… and I just got an email from Luna in Montreal: she made it too (she cleared her B in written expression)!!!… Useless to say that I am kind of overwhelmed right now… yet so happy!
Congratulations Luna!
A relaxing evening...
A joyful crowd!...
Yes! I love Italian food… wine… and…
Cuties!…
“La liberté consiste à faire tout ce que permet la longueur de la chaîne”
François Cavanna
I Love Italian Food… Wine… AND…
Before I move on with today’s topic, I want to let you know that I got some news from Joyce in Moncton this afternoon… she passed her required levels in both reading comprehension and written expression with a very high C… she actually missed the E (exemption) only by 3 points! Useless to mention that, once again, I am thrilled! I will probably see her again, when she will have to prepare for her oral interaction test…
Congratulations Joyce!
March madness is still on around here… yesterday both Luna and Christie went for their written tests. From what I heard they think they did well… yet who can tell?… They should receive their results before the end of this week. I would not be surprised that, when I will see Christie for her oral interview simulation on Thursday, she will know… Alice will be tested on her oral skills tomorrow morning and, then, next Monday it will be Susan’s turn!
Because of all this turmoil and stress, last Friday Le Club français gathered together for dinner at Fratelli on Richmond Road in Wesboro (a very popular neighbourhood in Ottawa known for its boutiques, cafés, pubs and restaurants)… Almost everybody was there except for Dave and James who were outside of town (last week was March break in Ontario and many people were traveling with their kids): Alice, Seema, Susan, Frédéric, myself and even Jianlin joined in (she has been away in a boot camp since May 2008!).
I think there is no need for me telling you what was the main topic of the evening… Jianlin had taken her oral exam the day before, therefore she was not nervous… and if she were anxious to get her results, it did not show… actually Jianlin is someone who, I think, does not get easily excited with stuff like this… though I do not know her that well. Yet she does not give the impression that tests are overwhelming for her… she always looks relaxed! I do not believe she would be the kind of person being devastated if ever she did not get her required level. Personally I do think she has the right attitude… I have seen too many people get depressed over something that, in fact, is not so important! It is true that, at some point, they will have to meet their position language requirements… but if it does not happen this month, it might next month… and if not, the following one!… Why would anyone get sick over SLE tests?
Of course, last Friday, most of the conversation has been on either language training or upcoming tests! Three of the attendees are now in boot camps and they shared their views, experiences and stress… only Susan did not really engage in the topic, she rather discussed fishing and hunting with Frédéric. She will have her oral interview on March 30 and she is the kind of person who has to distantiate herself from this stressful event, otherwise she will be a bundle of nerves!… For instance, today, I took her out for breakfast chez Cora… she enjoyed a couple of hours in a relaxing atmosphere and she discussed in French as Molière would have!
It is always amazing to observe how people react to the same situation… Susan prefers to be oblivious of what is coming up… Seema tries and enjoys her training as much as she can without anticipating the tests (in her case, it will not happen soon anyways)… Jianlin is pretty much relaxed, I would say that she goes with the flow: what will be will be… On the other hand, Alice is focused on her upcoming test… actually I am glad that it will be over for her tomorrow because she really needs a break away from French! Hopefully she will enjoy her two week vacation biking in the States… and forget about the past months. Yet, knowing her, I am sure she will find some internet cafés everyday in order to check her incoming emails… I cannot imagine her not wanting to know about her results before her return to work! Well… she worked very hard (too hard indeed) and, if there is one person who deserves a C, it is Alice!…
Friday I realized I had only one student left from that bunch: Susan!… and in three days, her contract will also end. I will still see her though because she registered in my Intermediate French class series that will start on March 29… I think she will really enjoy being with peers from everywhere in the world and learning French only for fun. Since she is scheduled to attend a boot camp some time in May, I truly believe this class will help her cope with her predicament. Yet… she could actually get a C on the 30th because her French is now really good, in both comprehension and expression… I would not be surprised if she pulled out a C instead of her required B… In such case, she could avoid going to the Public Service School for further training.
Today she asked me if we would move on with Le Club français… why not?… Although I will no longer teach any of them, it does not mean we will not have outings once in a while.
For sure I will miss them… but I am ready to move on… I found a new niche where I really feel comfortable and where I know there is a need for my expertise… all these young people applying for jobs within the Public Service of Canada who need to meet the minimum language requirements (BBB) and do not know who to turn to in order to get help before their SLE tests… wherever they are located in Canada, I will help them to prepare and it makes me feel good. For years now I have been helping public servants, it is now time for me to help the newcomers who have a hard time finding resources and professional expertise… morevoer, I love working with young people!
Just a quick update as per March 25… A couple of minutes ago, I received an email from Christie who got her results: she got an E (exemption) in reading comprehension and a C in written expression!… Her new position language requirements are BBB… tomorrow we will start working on her upcoming oral interaction test and I am convinced she will be able to pull out a C quite easily! My students’ achievements keep me moving on with what I do (even if, sometimes, I am quite frustrated with these nonsense tests) because I firmly believe my help makes a difference… and more people I will help, happier I will be!
Congratulations Christie!
It is 1:45 pm, March 25… and I just got an email from Luna in Montreal: she made it too (she cleared her B in written expression)!!!… Useless to say that I am kind of overwhelmed right now… yet so happy!
Congratulations Luna!
A relaxing evening...
A joyful crowd!...
Yes! I love Italian food… wine… and…
Cuties!…
“La liberté consiste à faire tout ce que permet la longueur de la chaîne”
François Cavanna