Several Are Sentenced in Superior Court
Bonjour, Mon Amis!
Hopefully many of you got to “Know Your Neighbor” Christina Hess, or at least learn something about her, two weeks ago as she was the subject of The News’ front page feature. If you read that article then you know that Madame Hess is a educator at Jasper County High School well-versed in many areas.
As the school’s multi-lingual highly qualified French teacher, she also assists with English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Special Education. She is a busy one! On the day I visited with her French class we bolted when the bell rang so Madame Hess could read lines with the English Literature class as Iago of “Othello.”
Let me start from the beginning of this tale when I first became intrigued by the wife of a retired Marine Corps pilot, mother of two and grandmother of one. A few years ago, Madame Hess made a visit to The News office while on official business for the Hurricane Booster Club. I assisted her and noticed her distinct dialect was more nasal than most which reminded me of someone I knew and many of you as well, Madame Mary Camp, former French educator.
After a brief conversation, I had ascertained that she had a son, Maximilian, who wrestled at JCHS. I believe it was at that time that I learned she had studied abroad at Montpellier in France. I thought to myself that she would have some interesting stories to tell.
Fast forward to 2019, while having a chat with Madame Camp at the annual dinner she mentioned the new French teacher at the high school and how her teaching method seemed intriguing and different from hers back in the day. I shared with Madame Camp that I would very much like to sit in on a couple of these classes which she strongly encouraged. Turns out that new French teacher was indeed Madame Hess. So I put myself at her mercy and sought an invite to listen to her French class session. Her response was “absolument.” I got the feeling she was just as excited as moi.
On the day I visited, she was being observed by the school’s Vice Principal Alicia Moore, another one of Madame Camp’s pupils.
Madame Hess explained that her French class, equivalent to beginners or French I, began with 15 students but was now down to 11. She explained that when the course was first offered 45 students applied but only had space for 15 and it was only being offered once a day in the 10 a.m. slot which limited a lot of students availability. It is encouraging to know that the French curriculum is expected to expand next year.
She began the session I observed like she does everyday—with no books, no pencils, and no paper just words. She utilizes the Rassias Method of instruction which aims to “make the participant feel comfortable and natural with the language in a short period of time and uses teaching procedures and dramatic techniques which seek to eliminate inhibitions and create an atmosphere of free expression from the very first day of class.” To sum it up, the method focuses on the spoken word through the use of repetition and pronounced actions.
Madame Hess provided a glimpse of student life in French schools. For instance, a students’ career track is decided by middle school whether it will be academic or artistic and once decided it does not change by the administration. Also French educators have no shame in embarrassing a student—so keep up or stay off the radar. Class sessions always began with the singing of the national anthem of France to the horizontal stripes of the blue, white and red flag. Another interesting fact about French schools is that classes are conducted Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and half a day on Saturdays—which is totally European.
I was truly enamored with Madame Hess’ teachings because she does not just teach French as a language but rather as a lifestyle with cultural influences. As Americans, she explained that there is sometimes discrimination against that sector abroad in France within the world’s volatile political and socioeconomic climate. Therefore, she is teaching local students how to disguise or minimize their foreign nationality if ever abroad in order to avoid being singled out by would-be intimidator.
First lesson, if asked tell them you are Canadian.
Secondly, know the French alphabet thus being able to spell your name in French. Third, know the French numbers so you can recite your Social Security number in French if needed. And most telling amongst all the lessons, hide your hands when counting or learn how to count as the French do by starting with your thumb not your index finger. She is not teaching them to be un-American just more French-like in order to avoid any potentially threatening situations and that’s a plan I can endorse whole-heartedly.
So what might you think was the first thing she taught them to say? Je m’appelle… (My name is). Nope. Comment si dice… (How do you say). Nope. It was “Ou est la salle de bains?” or where is the bathroom? When you got to go…you got to go and it helps to know where.
Each day begins with a comprehensive and repetitive review of the lessons from the day and weeks before ahead of moving on to a new lesson. Students have been studying the basics such as names, number, days of the week, months, and weather. The review is not always hum-drum and repetitive, Madame Hess employs fun ways of getting her students up to speed whether it be games or music.
They work on their pronunciations by singing songs and not just your day-to-day nursery rhymes. On my day of observation, I was introduced to Maitre Gims, a Congolese native who grew up in France, who sings and raps infusing various international musical styles.
I was quite impressed with not only with the effervescence of the teacher but the aptitude and energy of the students with their willingness to learn.