French students share their language skills

Sisters middle and high school students who are taking French I were last week given the opportunity to look beyond their classroom to chat with other French speakers.

French teacher Susanna Harrison staged last Wednesday's event as an art auction (vente aux enchères) at her Gallery of Modern Art (Galerie d'Art Moderne). Local folks who speak French attended the auction as clients.

To prepare for the event, each French student crafted a collage depicting the parts of the human body and clothing. According to Harrison, the exercise was an effort to make the study of French vocabulary more interesting.

"They could have six hands if they wanted or three heads. Modern art was the idea," Harrison said. "The quality of the work was not as important as the factor it illustrated body parts and clothing."

Next, students were asked to describe in French their creations to the community members, their buying public, who attended the event.

The community members (clients) were prompted in what questions to ask the student artists by a handout prepared by Harrison. In French they asked students the names of their artworks, as well as the prices. They also asked about the colors used and how many hands, feet, heads and the like were depicted.

"Finally, we had a mock art auction, so we could practice numbers," said Harrision. "It's all in an effort to make the language more real."

According to Harrison, one of the most difficult aspects of teaching French is helping students to recognize that French is a real language that functions in the everyday lives of millions of people worldwide.

"I think the struggle in teaching a foreign language in the United States is making it real for students, finding a way for them to converse in a genuine manner and having the tools they need. Yes, they can read and they can fill in the blanks, but can they use the language? That is something we try very hard to do. The difficulty comes in seeing them (the students) one hour a day, at best. It's not enough exposure," Harrison said.

At Sisters High School two trimesters constitute a year of study. Harrison's French I students are currently in their second trimester of study.

"I have from 12-year-olds to 18-year-olds in the class," she said.

Since Sisters High School requires two full years of foreign language, "sensibly I'll have these kids through fall term next year to complete that," she said, remarking that three levels of French speakers are represented in her classroom.

"I have a couple of more advanced kids and a native speaker that I try to give more independent study," she said.

Harrison is interested in starting a French table in Sisters that would meet regularly both for her students and for community members who speak French.

"I see the potential for that. There are many French speakers in Sisters," she said, noting that she previously taught two adult French classes in Sisters through Central Oregon Community College. "I know there are at least a couple of dozen adults who speak adequately for enjoying a French table. Age is not an issue. The more the merrier."

Anyone wishing to help organize and/or participate in a local French table may contact Harrison at 549-4045 or via e-mail at [email protected]