Ch'tis

The day was drizzling when I went to school this morning but had cleared by lunchtime.

We followed a farmer and his tractor through the village on the way to school this morning.

 I was with some older classes today, one of them Terminale (18 yr olds), and their English was of course better than I'd heard in classes so far. They were very interested in what kids of their ages do and like in NZ, so we had a long question and answer time. I showed my videos today and every class was astounded at what our kids get the opportunity to do at our school. They loved the accompanying music to the school DVD and I was surprised that many knew the words and sang along in English, even the kids who couldn't converse very well in English!  The NZ DVD has waiata accompanying it and as soon as the men started singing and chanting in the background of it, many of the boys began with haka like actions!
They all thought that NZ looked a very beautiful place and asked if they could return with me! Only having school from 8.40 til 3 or 3.20 was also very appealing for them. I tried to explain that making the most of a range of opportunities offered to our students helps them develop positively as young people and that we teachers believe that to be just as important as academic progress.  They found it hard to believe that many of our activities are done during school time. French kids have a heavy class schedule with big emphasis on academic results. They take more subjects than ours and have a lot of homework as well as having a long school day.

The door into the staffroom from the playground!

 

As I mentioned earlier, the school is very old and it feels a bit depressing at first. It is just so different from our school. Obviously there isn't the money to renovate or maintain the hard surface areas outside. Many tiles need replacing and one has to watch carefully where one walks!

 

Just as an aside, Danielle has just returned home and poured me a glass of champagne to drink as I write my blog!  Doing school work at home at night will never be the same! The trouble is there will be le vin rouge with dinner as well, which won't be till about 9.30pm and my eyes are ready for bed now!

 

 

 

One of the older kids in the College (14 yr old) took responsibility for getting me on the bus and off at the right spot tonight. He lives in my village and is a very nice lad but doesn't know how to speak slowly!  I had a wonderful time in his class this afternoon as I found out all about the dialect of the North, called the Picard dialect. Now I know why my friend Jean-Noel in New Caledonia told me I wouldn't have a hope of understanding anyone up here!  I was feeling quite proud of the fact that I could and was doing OK! Of course that is when they are speaking french. The locals who are born and bred here and whose parents have been, are called ch'tis! Many in the class were ch'ti. When speaking in their dialect I could NOT understand them! They use completely different words and shorten others and add extra peculiar ones in as well. They are very proud of it  though and we had such fun as the kids tried to teach me things. They thought I did very well and pronounced phrases correctly and even gave me a round of applause!  I cannot now remember any of it!

 

Each day I discover new things that are particular to this area of France which to me, make it more special. The Nord du France has a climate that isn't envied by other provinces, having a reasonably high rainfall in summer with temperatures then usually about 22, 23deg. It can reach 27, 28deg but only the odd day and not often. Winter is pretty bleak and cold  I think, but many things make up for that.

 

I have just finished a delicious casserole that was made with polish sausage. Saucisse (sausage) is very popular in France with a huge variety available in supermarkets and chaucuterie (butcher specialty shops). Venison saucisse is common and popular.  I have asked for this recipe!

 

 

                                                                        The meal

...accompanied by a bucket of dijon mustard! Apparently it's a small container by their standards!

 

We only have classes in the morning tomorrow as many french schools have Wednesday afternoon off.  I'm going to explore the village of Bavay where my school is, in the afternoon. There aren't many shops, but still want to investigate, then will catch the bus back to La Longueville. Bonne nuit!