The French program at Timber Creek High School is spreading its culture among both students and staff alike. French teachers work hard to help their students learn the ins and the outs of the language. French students are taught not just the language, but to get involved with it.
“I teach grammar. I teach vocabulary. I make kids participate,” says French teacher Madere Pierre. “They share with each other, and then, after they share with each other, they share with the class. So this is, again, in a way saying they participate and speak the target language.”
Roger Thomas, another French teacher at Timber Creek says, “I try to allow my students several opportunities to speak and practice French on a daily basis. I love to show my French I class a Canadian program called Telefrancais, which features a talking pineapple!”
Students are taught how to communicate with an entirely different culture. Being able to speak a second language is proven to increase your overall English skills, as well as multitasking skills, memory skills, perception skills, and decision making skills.
“My favorite part of French class is when we have discussions and we go over how to pronounce things because that really helps me understand the words, and will help me plug French into the real world,” says sophomore Alexa Evans, a student of Thomas’. “In general, I think French is very challenging, but it’s worth the rewards.”
Besides English, French is the only language spoken on all continents. More than 220 million people speak French across the globe. “French is the language of the future! Forbes magazine reported that more than 750 million people will speak French by 2050,” Thomas says.
The French program at Timber Creek has broadened its horizons, as last year was the first time there was a French club. Last year, they organized several activities, some of which being movie nights with only French spoken films, a holiday party, a field trip to the Kimball Museum, and much more. Another French teacher, Dorothy McFarland, can be found behind the scenes of the club, as well as Thomas when he can.
“I’m not involved with French club,” says Pierre, “I teach two courses, so I’m so busy, but I encourage kids to really go and participate; to get involved in the French club.”
The French program at Timber Creek is a community of dedicated and passionate people, who come together to celebrate a great culture; the culture of France.