I'm working for the National Department of Education, 12 hours a week, as a language assistant. After I somehow tricked them into believing I spoke enough French to be helpful, they assigned me to Laon, in the Amiens region.
Since I'm assigned to an elementary school, I'm working in classes where the teacher isn't certified to teach English. Most often, the teachers I'm working with barely speak English. So, together, me speaking barbarian French, as Brie says, and them speaking slowly and repeating themselves over and over we work things out. I'm working with kids between the ages of 5 and 11. They are all very excited to learn English, sometimes too excited.
My contact, who is the epitome of everything good about France, found me housing at one of the public high schools, or lycees. Most of the lycees have dorms where students stay during the week. A French school day last from 8:30 in the morning until 5 or 6 at night, with a long lunch and several breaks throughout the day. (I'll post pictures of my room soon.)
My schedule isn't totally fixed yet, but as of now it looks like I'm going to work Monday, half of Tuesday, and Thursday. Primary schools are closed Wednesdays, and the teachers at my school convinced me that I needed Friday off in order to enjoy France.
Tomorrow there is a big strike all across France. It seems like an important land mark in my time here. Too bad I already had the day off...
To come: more pictures, of course and information about my town
