Les Mots de La Sagesse

Just a little something small to share. A few pearls of wisdom from my first French teacher:


On being placed in Brive-la-Gaillarde:

"Gaillarde" has a happy connotation - "un gaillard aime la vie!" (moi aussi)



On teaching:

With your students be firm, fair and let your love of what you are teaching be contagious. Have no favorites and establish an atmosphere of mutual respect in class. French students should have some motivation to study English but in the beginning ask why the study of English is and can be important now and in the future.



On traveling:

For France do you still have a valid student id? It is great for discounts in museums, theaters and cinemas. Train travel is excellent and you might want to get a Eurail pass which has to be validated before you use it to avoid the inevitable "amende" which the SNCF employees love to impose on unsuspecting tourists. The TGV will get you to many places fast.



On food:

Enjoy the cuisine of each region of France. Savor it! If you are not a vegan, get snails in Burgundy, chicken in Bresse, some at least of the 400 French cheeses and enjoy the wines, Shop the open air markets for fruits, vegetables, fish and fresh "pain" is a must. Get to know the local merchants in Brive because they love to share their knowledge.



On Limoges:

Limosin is the "centre de l'industrie de porcelaine fine." A visit to the Limoges factories is a must- the Haviland is one of the most celebrated.