Ah, yes, teachers in France

12 Comments 17 May 2006

The other day, Sophie said, “My teacher wrote mean comments on my test.”

“Oh really? Can I see it?”

“Yes,” she said, handing me her paper.

And this is what it said: “Well, you can easily see why you did not receive the excellent mark expected of you, Sophie! A pity!”

I growled. Truly. The school system here is based more on intimidation and discouragement–a real change from the sometimes over-nurturing American system. Teachers read failing grades in front of the class. Some make fun of kids. We’ve seen it happen to all three of our children.

I truly, truly don’t understand it. I want to adapt to this culture, but this school system makes me angry. (I’m just sharing my honest perspective here.) Thankfully, our children have miraculously weathered these barbs with grace and perseverance.

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relevantgirl

All good advice, comments. Jeanne, yours was particularly helpful. Unfortunately, there isn’t always a nugget of goodness (as in this case). Usually the teachers just plain ridicule.
relevantgirl

All good advice, comments. Jeanne, yours was particularly helpful. Unfortunately, there isn’t always a nugget of goodness (as in this case). Usually the teachers just plain ridicule.
Sherry

Eldest Daughter is finishing up her junior (college) year abroad studying in Paris. The other day her professor told the class that she wanted their papers to be “perfect” because she wants to put them in a book, post them on the internet, something. For my perfectionist daughter, this expectation was almost paralyzing. Can you imagine how you would feel if your editor told you your next book had to be “perfect”?
Sherry

Eldest Daughter is finishing up her junior (college) year abroad studying in Paris. The other day her professor told the class that she wanted their papers to be “perfect” because she wants to put them in a book, post them on the internet, something. For my perfectionist daughter, this expectation was almost paralyzing. Can you imagine how you would feel if your editor told you your next book had to be “perfect”?
Cathy West

It was the same when I was at boarding school in the UK. Apparently you are supposed to suck it up. Stiff upper lip and all that!!Well, you can at least reinforce positive encouragement at home, and pray for an opportunity to be a catalyst for change in the school system over there.
Cathy West

It was the same when I was at boarding school in the UK.
Apparently you are supposed to suck it up.
Stiff upper lip and all that!!
Well, you can at least reinforce positive encouragement at home, and pray for an opportunity to be a catalyst for change in the school system over there.
Jeanne Damoff

At least there’s a bit of sweet nectar to suck from that comment. Sophie’s teacher expects excellence from her! That speaks volumes–especially for an American child in a French system.It’s a mother’s nature to defend her children, and I don’t blame you for being upset. But, in this case, I think I’d just try to focus on the warped compliment hidden in the slap. After all, Sophie isn’t the one to be pitied here. C’est la pauvre instructeur, oui?Je t’aime.
Jeanne Damoff

At least there’s a bit of sweet nectar to suck from that comment. Sophie’s teacher expects excellence from her! That speaks volumes–especially for an American child in a French system.

It’s a mother’s nature to defend her children, and I don’t blame you for being upset. But, in this case, I think I’d just try to focus on the warped compliment hidden in the slap. After all, Sophie isn’t the one to be pitied here. C’est la pauvre instructeur, oui?

Je t’aime.
Katrina

Ugh – that’s horrible! Why do they not see the value of inspiring students and fostering a love of learning (rather than a fear of humiliation)? I’m so glad that your kids are able to persevere through this treatment – which they can do in large part, no doubt, because they know how loved and accepted they are at home.
Katrina

Ugh – that’s horrible! Why do they not see the value of inspiring students and fostering a love of learning (rather than a fear of humiliation)? I’m so glad that your kids are able to persevere through this treatment – which they can do in large part, no doubt, because they know how loved and accepted they are at home.
Karen

Mary, do they get any better results with that approach? Maybe it explains why the French seem to be so quiet and withdrawn in public–except for those few we ran into late at night who were out on the town.
Karen

Mary, do they get any better results with that approach? Maybe it explains why the French seem to be so quiet and withdrawn in public–except for those few we ran into late at night who were out on the town.