I learn French myself!

I became much more empathetic towards my students when I started learning French myself. I opened mobile apps, revisited old French courses and schoolbooks, and started having conversations with my phone! Suddenly, I understood what it feels like to understand someone but not be able to reply. I struggled with the French “R” because my English pronunciation habits kept getting in the way. And I felt the frustration of recognising a word but not remembering what it means. I took a placement test at a language centre, waited my turn, felt disappointed, then found my motivation again. It even brought back a school memory: in second grade, I had to learn how to ask to go to the bathroom in French before I could actually go! Being a teacher doesn’t make me immune to feeling awkward as a learner. It reminds me why patience, encouragement, and space to make mistakes matter so much.

Here’s what I want you to remember: understanding can come before speaking. Needing time to reply doesn’t mean you aren’t learning. Try using one small sentence today, even if you hesitate. Forget a word? Look it up and use it in your own sentence. You don’t have to feel confident every day to keep making progress. I’m learning that alongside you.