Teaching Abroad: More Than A Means To An End in Guadeloupe

“Miss Candace, Miss Candace!” was the call I’d hear while walking through the plaza in Morne-a-L’eau—my town on the French island of Guadeloupe.  I’d turn to see one of my students eagerly waving, pointing me out to a parent and telling them I was their English teacher.  I thoroughly enjoyed seeing my students around town and at cultural events on the island.  I felt I was really becoming part of the community, a feat made easier by being on Guadeloupe in a teaching capacity.

Like many, I thought teaching English would be a great means to living abroad.  I was eager to travel to Guadeloupe in order to improve my French and learn about the French Caribbean culture.  Luckily, I knew from my first experience on the island that being a teacher would be integral to an authentic experience.   My initial interest in French resulted from aiding my cousin while he completed an English teaching assistantship in 2006.

 

During my two-week visit I helped students with their lessons, sang songs, and told them of my experience during the Chicago winter.  In exchange, the children excitedly told me of the activities I should undertake while visiting their home.  Despite my very limited knowledge of the French language, I was able to interact with the students on a meaningful level.  This struck a chord within me, and upon my return to the U.S.  I became determined to return to Guadeloupe as a teacher to participate in this cultural exchange on a long-term basis.

I got to work taking French classes, enrolled in a CTESOL training course at Transworld Schools in San Francisco, and applied to the French Embassy’s teaching assistantship program.   Being accepted set me on a path to a rewarding experience.   Teaching children taking part in their first or second year of English instruction was fun and challenging – especially since I had classes of 25-30 students.  

 

The lessons and activities I developed to teach the children the basics of greetings, colors, foods, animals and sports was interesting to them, as the kids started to become more cognizant of the influence the English language already has on their everyday lives.  Making sense of video game titles and phrases heard on their favorite television shows created a common ground and drove continued interest.  I too learned about French culture and celebrations through encouraging participation in events such as Thanksgiving, the fourth of July and other uniquely American traditions.
 
Teaching the language was my focus, but much was gained from showing the American map and images of major cities like Chicago and San Francisco. “Malade!”—“sick” in English—was the term my children would use when reacting to pictures of the large cities. Considering their entire island could fit on Lake Michigan it wasn’t too surprising. 

 

The kids’ reaction to viewing “Thriller” and “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” in conjunction with their relevant holidays was also amusingly memorable.  In all, I believe I was able to help students learn English vocabulary and basic grammar while encouraging them to evaluate their experience within their own cultural setting by sharing American culture and values.

My most memorable and effective teachers had been the ones who exuded a true interest in me and made the learning experience personal.  I tried to do the same things for my students and garnered a good response.   I believe this was the reason I’d see waving children and was invited to dinners and cultural events I might never have experienced otherwise, and the reason why I received detailed suggestions on where to go for major holidays and was brought fruits and vegetables I had not yet eaten. 

 

I even learned to make local culinary dishes and crafts directly as a result of my interactions with students and their families.   I am continually glad that I didn’t look at teaching just as a means to go to another country, but as a means to foster cultural exchange.  It made all the difference in regards to my experience on Guadeloupe and I encourage others to approach teaching English abroad in a similar manner.

 

-Candace Hamilton