Voyager, c’est vivre. To travel is to live. And for French language students at Bethlehem Central High School, to travel is to learn.
More than three dozen students of BCHS World Language teachers Michele Atallah and Shana Pellitteri recently spent a weekend in Montréal, Quebec, where they immersed themselves in the language and culture of the French-speaking city. The group toured the city’s historical sites and students were eager to put their classroom learning into practice.
“It was so fun to get to speak the language we have been learning for the last seven years,” said Nyara Bughrara.
French signs, conversations and culture surrounded them in a modern city that boasts an old-century European vibe. Part of their action-packed weekend included stops in Old Montréal, the beautiful Notre-Dame Basilica and Mount Royal, the park that overlooks the city from its highest point.
For CC Follos, it was a first trip to Montréal and the first time being out of the country.
“It was great to explore the landmarks and see how the culture is so different even though it’s so close (to home),” said Follos.
From ordering food and chatting with the locals, the students had their listening and comprehension skills put to the test.
“The tour guide would only talk in French, so we were listening to French the entirety of the trip, talking to each other in French and it was a great experience in that respect,” said Ava Gasson.
“I liked talking to the locals in French. We were hiking up Mount Royal and I was talking to a wildlife expert and he was telling me about invasive species in the area,” said Phinn Ruggiero.
Many of the students agreed that their best memories of the trip included food, festivities and spending time with one another, or what they describe as their French “family.” Some singled out their visit to a Cabane à Sucre, or Sugar Shack, as the highlight of the trip. A French-Canadian tradition, the Cabane à Sucre is a gathering place where people celebrate the end of a successful maple syrup season with a traditional meal featuring maple products, along with games, singing and dancing.
“At the Cabane à Sucre, it was really cool to join in the dancing and all the vibes and the food. You could tell it was traditional and it was really fun,” said Shayna Huli.
“I loved going to the Cabane à Sucre. Just dancing and singing together. It was just so happy,” added Katie Reynolds.
Joy Dzigba, who was also visiting the city for the first time, was inspired by the experience and hopes to return to soak in more of the French language, culture and the cuisine.
“It was nice being in the French environment. It’s different from being in French class and speaking it for 40 minutes at a time. You were surrounded by French, and the people were so nice and the food was great,” said Dzigba. “I had the best crepe of my life. I’m still dreaming about that.”
Those who traveled with the group, and even those who didn’t, said their experience with French at BCHS have many looking forward to continuing French studies in college and even studying abroad.
They include seniors Grace Evans and Elyssa Johnson, who credited their teacher Michele Atallah with making their World Language experience meaningful.
“I’ve really enjoyed having Madame Atallah for the last three years,” said Evans. “As the classes have gotten smaller, we have become closer. French is a real community for us.”
“Having a teacher like Madame Atallah to support us not just in French but outside the classroom makes it much easier to come in here to learn. She makes us really want to keep coming back and learning more French,” said Johnson.