Lisa Mullarkey talks about her experiences as a language assistant in Bourdeaux.

1. Lisa Mullarkey talks about her experiences as a language assistant in Bourdeaux. I was lucky enough to spend my year abroad as an English assistant in a lycée in Bordeaux in France. Both my parents had been assistants in France when they were younger, and they told me many stories about the experiences they had and the memoires they’d made. It made me realise that I wanted the chance to create my own memories and experiences as well. Of course at the time when I applied, I was still really unsure if I was doing the right thing, and then the closer and closer it got to me flying out, the more and more I didn’t want to go. As it turns out, it was the best 9 months of my life. I had a 7 month contract, teaching from October to April, but I stayed out there for a little bit longer after I’d finished working in order to do a bit of travelling around France. I used the TGV mostly, and would definitely recommend anyone who plans to travel a lot to buy a “Carte 12-25”, as they definitely save you money. The TGV are great for getting between the large towns, and are actually quite comfortable as well! Being an assistant was actually more fun than I thought it was going to be as well! I’d never had an assistant when I was at school, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. On the whole, my experience was really good fun - I taught Seconde (14 years old) through to BTS (18 +). The BTS were a little daunting at first as several members of the class were the same age, if not older than me! The teachers though told me to tell the students I didn’t speak French, so that the students would have to speak English. It really helped, and it definitely meant the younger kids weren’t as troublesome as I was expecting! (It’s also really nice to actually listen to their conversations in French when they think you can’t understand them! :D) My teachers were kind enough, and were happy to help me with anything – school related or not. I tried to make my classes relate with what the teacher was teaching, but generally the only criteria I was given was: “make them talk”! “Simon says” and “20 questions” seemed to be quite popular with the younger students. One recommendation I would give to future assistants would be to try and find accommodation shared with either someone French, or at least someone who doesn’t speak English. This might sound scary, but I myself lived alone, and didn’t speak as much French as my friends who all lived with other people. It definitely makes a difference, and also allows you to meet their French friends. I found that generally the French were all really nice to get along with, and very happy to help me if I had any problems. One thing I would suggest, when trying to open a bank account, if you don’t feel very confident with your French, take a friend along so that they can help if you start to get confused. Two heads are better than one. NAME: Lisa Mullarkey DEGREE: Business Studies and French at the University of Stirling TEACHING LOCATION: Bordeaux, France

2. I was lucky enough to join a local cheerleading team in Bordeaux, and I made loads of friends through doing it. I had to choreograph a dance and then teach it to the girls, which helped me become more confident at speaking French. At the end of my 9 months with the team, I travelled with them to Lyon and took part in the national competition. On my second to last day in France, I took part in a training camp with them, along with coaches and trainers from Scotland and the USA. My French had improved enough for me to act as a translator between the team and the coaches, which would have been impossible at the start of my assistantship! Realising that was one of the best feelings of my time abroad. For me, my year as an assistant gave me the confidence to live in a foreign country, and to go out and make new friends and to visit new places. This year, I’m spending 6 months as an ERASMUS student in Strasbourg, and before I set off I didn’t feel anywhere near as worried as I did before going to Bordeaux. If anything, I was more excited than anything, looking forward to the new challenges and adventures I’d have. Thanks British Council for giving me such a great opportunity! “The closer and closer it got to me flying out, the more and more I didn’t want to go. As it turns out, it was the best 9 months of my life.”