Jan Lewandowski

You just can’t help but notice that French handwriting looks different to the style of handwriting we have in this country. You may well have put this down to the type of lined paper that they have in their exercise books but there is a lot more to it than that.

Graphisme is what it is all about, a concept that is particularly difficult to explain in just a few words. Fortunately Teachers’ TV has just produced a video all about it and what’s more it is in mainly in French (with sub-titles):

www.teachers.tv/video/24021

Excellent viewing which explains a lot about the French Education system by taking you into the classroom.

Incidentally cheap French exercise books, bought in the hypermarket, make great prizes in our classrooms and children sometimes enjoy practising `French’ handwriting. You can even purchase pre-printed books of exercises which parents in France buy to help their children with graphisme.

All good for inter-cultural understanding !

I’ve been out and about this term doing a series of workshops at Regional Support Groups around the country. The focus of these presentations was Spring and Summer Festivals explored through the medium of French and Spanish; taking in some of the main festivals and celebrations from February to July.

The feedback has been very positive:

Worcestershire RSG - “People found Jan’s session overwhelmingly ‘excellent’ …. ‘She demonstrated how festivals can meet the intercultural understanding objectives through song, dance, design technology, games and tongue-twisters’ …. ‘ Jan’s handouts should be kept in a safe place as they are a valuable repository for her careful research into the best websites, the best YouTube downloads etc’..”

This is the Year of the Rat in Chinese culture and as usual La Poste in France has issued a set of commemorative stamps which are rather fine. Incidentally in any post office in France it is always worthwhile asking for posters and brochures about commemorative stamps throughout the year. Sometimes the material has already been thrown away but often you can get really great posters for the classroom wall.