By PATTY YAN
French teacher Mme. Kennedy created an assignment for her French II classes in which they had to write a letter to a leader of a French-speaking nation. One section was assigned to write a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and the other wrote to French President Emmanual Macron. After the letters were sent, many students were skeptical yet hopeful that they would receive a letter back. Little did they know, one of the classes would receive a response.
The assignment idea came to Mme. Kennedy when she was driving to work. She was listening to the French broadcast “Télématin” and heard a story about how the King of England responded to a letter from an English class in France. She then wondered, “What if it’s the reverse? What if a French class decided to write a letter to the French president?”
For the assignment, the students had to create a rough draft of their letter and the questions they wanted to ask. Afterward, Mme. Kennedy went over their drafts and added suggestions to help improve the students’ grammar for the final version.
Mme. Kennedy was pleased with the variety of questions. “Some of them were humorous. For example, the students wanted to ask why the same word in French means lawyer and avocado (un avocat). Other students asked what the French president’s daily routine was like, and if he worked out. Other students asked if he could share a top secret with them,” she said.
Mme. Kennedy wanted her students to have an engaging and unique learning experience. She said, “The goals for the assignment were to have the students write an authentic letter in French, and at the very least just to spark some interest and do something out of the norm.”
After some time passed, Mme. Kennedy was checking her mailbox in the teacher’s workroom, and to her surprise, she was greeted with a letter that was addressed to “l’attention des éléves” (the attention of the students). While recalling the moment, she expressed her joy for the response. “I was so excited! I opened it up, and I shared it with everyone in the workroom. Then, I was running up and down the hallways finding whatever colleagues I could share it with!” she said.
French II student Stanley W. also shared his enthusiasm about Macron’s letter. “I was very surprised when he responded because it’s not something that happens all the time and it’s pretty exciting,” he said.
Overall, the outcome of this assignment was a pleasant surprise for Mme. Kennedy and for all her students. The assignment also provided a fun learning and bonding experience with the French II students and encouraged Mme. Kennedy to do more letter-writing assignments like this in the future.
TRANSLATION:
I have received the letters you have kindly sent me, and I’m very grateful for them.
I am always delighted to read the many letters from the younger generation. It shows your early interest in diplomacy and institutions. I congratulate you all.
I have read all your messages with the greatest attention, and am delighted by your enthusiasm for French culture and language. I’m not available to answer all your questions, but I respect the quality of your work in French and offer you my best encouragement as you continue to learn.
In this respect, I count on you to pass on my greetings to your teacher, Mrs. Caroline A. H. Kennedy, who is working hard to make you all informed and responsible citizens of the future. With warm thoughts and sympathy!
Thanks to you and all of the teachers! I count on your continued interest in the French culture.