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To listen to the article, please visit NPR website: http://www.npr.org/2011/04/04/135043787/being-bilingual-may-boost-your-brain-power&sc=nl&cc=es-20110410

April 4, 2011

By GRETCHEN CUDA-KROEN

In an interconnected world, speaking more than one language is becoming increasingly common. Approximately one-fifth of Americans speak a non-English language at home, and globally, as many as two-thirds of children are brought up bilingual.

Research suggests that the growing numbers of bilingual speakers may have an advantage that goes beyond communication: It turns out that being bilingual is also good for your brain.

Judy and Paul Szentkiralyi both grew up bilingual in the U.S., speaking Hungarian with their families and English with their peers. When they first started dating, they spoke English with each other.

But they knew they wanted to raise their children speaking both languages, so when things turned serious they did something unusual — they decided to switch to Hungarian.

Today, Hungarian is the primary language the Szentkiralyis use at home. Their two daughters — Hannah, 14, and Julia, 8 — speak both languages fluently, and without any accent. But they both heard only Hungarian from mom and dad until the age of 3 or 4, when they started school.

"When she did go to preschool that accent was very thick – she counted like Vun, two, tree," said Judy Szentkiralyi, recalling Hanna's early experience with English. "And by the time four or five months went by, it was totally gone."

 

Dispelling Confusion Around Bilingualism

The Szentkiralyis say that most people were supportive, but not everyone. Paul recounts an uncomfortable confrontation Judy once had in the local grocery store.

"I remember one time you came home and you said this one lady was like, 'When is she going to learn English?' And it was like, 'Well, when she goes to school she'll learn English,'" he said.

"People would often say, 'Well, won't they get confused?" added Judy. "And I would have to explain, 'Well, no, it wasn't confusing for us.'"

The idea that children exposed to two languages from birth become confused or that they fall behind monolingual children is a common misconception, says Janet Werker, a psychologist at the University of British Columbia who studies language acquisition in bilingual babies.

"Growing up bilingual is just as natural as growing up monolingual," said Werker, whose own research indicates babies of bilingual mothers can distinguish between languages even hours after birth.

"There is absolutely no evidence that bilingual acquisition leads to confusion, and there is no evidence that bilingual acquisition leads to delay," she said.

Werker and other researchers say the evidence to the contrary is actually quite strong. Instead of holding you back, being bilingual, they say, may actually be good for you.

 

Tuning In To The Right Signal

Ellen Bialystok, a psychologist from York University in Toronto, says the reason lies in the way the bilingual mind uses language.

"We don't really know very much in psychology," said Bialystok. "But the one thing that has been so overwhelmingly proven, that I can say with great certainty, is this: For a bilingual who really has two good languages that they use, both of them are always active."

In other words, no matter what language a person is speaking at the moment, both languages are active in the brain.

"The evidence is very dramatic. Even if you are in a context that is utterly monolingual, where you think there is absolutely no reason to think about Chinese or Spanish or French, it is part of the activated network that's going on in your brain," she said.

This means that bilinguals have to do something that monolinguals don't do — they have to keep the two languages separate. Bialystok likens it to tuning into the right signal on the radio or television: The brain has to keep the two channels separate and pay attention to only one.

"The brain has a perfectly good system whose job it is to do just that — it's the executive control system. It focuses attention on what's important and ignores distraction. Therefore, for a bilingual, the executive control system is used in every sentence you utter. That's what makes it strong," said Bialystok.

 

Remodeling The Brain?

Constantly engaging this executive control function is a form of mental exercise, explains Bialystok, and some researchers, including herself, believe that this can be beneficial for the brain. Bilingual speakers have been shown to perform better on a variety of cognitive tasks, and one study Bialistok did found that dementia set in four to five years later in people who spent their lives speaking two languages instead of one.

"They can get a little extra mileage from these cognitive networks because they have been enhanced throughout life," said Bialystok.

And the advantages of bilingualism may be due to more than just "mental fitness." Bialystok says there's some preliminary evidence that being bilingual may physically remodel parts of the brain. It's something researchers are only beginning to look into, but she says there is reason to believe that speaking a second language may lead to important changes in brain structure as well.

 

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French immersion Summer Camp for kids age 4-9

at Bonjour NY French Summer Camp

From July 5 to August 26

at PS 58 in Brooklyn Carroll Gardens ( Smith Street and Carroll Street)

and PS 84 and in the Upper West Side ( 92 st and Central Park West)

 

Beginner French learners are welcome. Campers will be grouped according to their mastery of the French language.

 

Bonjour NY is licenced by the NYC DOH.

We offer flexible hours ( 8:30 to 5:30). Registration works on a weekly basis.

 

Our staff is exclusively composed of French speaking educators dedicated to make French Camp aFun a Memorable experience for all.

We do not offer any classroom teaching during camp. We really want French camp to feel like a vacation to our campers.

 

At Bonjour NY, we create  a fun, relaxed, and nurturing environment where all our engaging and fun activities are conducted in French. Campers explore the Francophone world through a wide variety of activities made to suit everyone's likes: dance, team sports, trips, water activities, visual and performing arts and much more...

 

At Bonjour NY, we spend a maximum of time OUTDOORS enjoying the sun, the parks and the time off from school.

We want our campers to be safehappy and to enjoy themselves. We like to see a smile on every face, everyday. After a fun day at camp, we expect everyone to be tired, sometimes dirty andmostly happy to come back the next day.  

 

 

For more information, please visit us at:

www.bonjourny.com

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French-American Book Newsletter

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Walls and Bridges - Season 2

Monday trough Thursday, April 1121, 2011


                                            "Walls and Bridges", the yearlong Franco-American cultural and social sciences series presented in 2011, is return3438634589?profile=originalin g  to New York for season 2 from April 11th to 21st. Over the course of three 10-day seasons, "Walls and Bridges" will present nearly 50 cultural events, combining nearly 100 speakers and artists, 30 cultural partners, and over 20 ve nues all across New York, ranging from art and film galleries to cultural institutions, theaters and universities—and unorthodox sites such as a restaurant and other surprises.The central theme for Season 2 is “Freedom and Rights”.
 

 Full program

 Walls and Bridges | Various locations  Contact  | T 718 971 32 02 | More Info

 

 

 

Independence in Africa: Illusions and disillusions

Tuesday, April 12, 2011 – 4:00 PM


                                            Alain Mabanckou, Winner of 2006 Renaudot Prize, has been called "the most prolific cont3438634550?profile=originalemporary writer in the French language”. Born in Congo-Brazzaville, he is revered for celebrating African life and politics in a humorous and tragic way. The music of his words, which combine a distinctive African oral tradition with a jubilant sense of humor, has won Mabanckou a wide readership. Translated into 15 languages, he has become an iconic success story of literary globalization, currently dividing his time between Paris and Los Angeles, where he teaches literature at UCLA. 

 

Yale University | Whitney Humanities Center (WHC) – Room 208 | 53 Wall St | New Haven, CT | Contact  | T 203-432-4900 | More Info

 

BeatHippiePunk and the French Connection: Richard Prince at the Bibliotheque Nationale

Tuesday, April 12, 2011 – 7:00 PM

 

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Robert Rubin, curator, presents ‘Richard Prince: American Prayer’ on view at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France through the end of June, 2011. Contemporary artist Richard Prince's collection of rare books and manuscripts, around which the show is organized, is the point of departure for the discovery of many surprising connections between Beats, Hippies, and Punks and their Gallic counterparts.

  

Maison Française NYU | 16 Washington Mews | New York, NY | Contact | T 212-998-8750 | More Info

 

 

Why French Matters 
Roundtable Discussion

Wednesday, April 13, 2011 – 6:00 PM–8:00 PM 

 

3438634684?profile=originalFeaturing: Adam Gopnik, writer and essayist, The New Yorker magazine; Charles Kolb, President of the Committee for Economic Development; Rosemary Feal, Executive Director of the Modern Language Association and Professor of Spanish in the Department of Romance Languages, University at Buffalo, SUNY; Souleymane Bachir Diagne, Professor of French and Philosophy at Columbia University; and Antonin Baudry, Cultural Counselor, French Embassy in the U.S.

Does French still matter? If so, why? This roundtable discussion is a response to recent concerns about the status of the study of French and other foreign languages and cultures in U.S. higher and secondary education at a time of increasing globalization. Five leading voices in different fields bring a variety of perspectives to bear in a lively discussion about why French matters today.


Maison Française Columbia University | East Gallery, Buell Hall | Broadway at West 116th Street | New York, NY | T 212.854.4482 | More Info

 

Le Mur de l'Atlantique
U.S. Film Premiere of Le Mur de l'Atlantique (2010)
 

 Thursday, April 14, 2011 – 7:30 PM–10:00PM


 

3438634622?profile=originalFrom 1942 to 1944, the building of the Atlantic Wall was at the heart of the policies of Vichy France, the most important and incriminating economic collaboration during the Occupation. This documentary explores the history of the Atlantic Wall, an extensive system of fortifications built by the Nazis along the western coast of Europe. Presented by director Jérome Prieur, with commentary by Emeritus Professor Robert Paxton.

Maison Française Columbia University | East Gallery, Buell Hall | Broadway Boulevard at West 116th Street | New York, NY | T 212.854.4482 | More Info

 

Memory and Memorialization
A Doctoral Colloquium
 

Friday & Saturday, April 15 & 16, 2011

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Featuring: Jacques REVEL, history (EHESS), "History, Trauma & Memory", Commenting: Marie-Claire LAVABRE (CNRS), sociology, Selma LEYDESDORFF, history (University of Amsterdam). The colloquium brings together advanced doctoral students working on memory, memorials, historical museums, and related topics. They will present their work in a series of roundtable discussions moderated by faculty specialists in the field. This event is part of an extensive collaboration between NYU and France's Centre national de recherche scientifique (CNRS).


Maison Française NYU | 16 Washington Mews | New York, NY | Contact

| T  212-998-8740 (Institute of French Studies) | More Info


The Academic Tourist as Queer Ethnographer
 
Fouad Laroui’s travel writing

 

Tuesday, April 19, 2011 – 4:00 PM

 


  3438634741?profile=original  Lecture by Mireille Rosello (University of Amsterdam): Fouad Laroui is a Moroccan writer, engineer and economist. His first novel Les Dents du topographe (Julliard 1996) tells about his life in Morocco with the distance he acquired through his European exile. Rich with comic and descriptive juxtapositions of traditional Moroccan culture with the intriguing terminology of the Western world, his works make for comic and bittersweet stories of the changes that propel an individual, a family, and a village in Morocco onto the path of modernity. Laroui's last novel Une année chez les Français (Julliard): was listed on the 2010 longlist for the Prix Goncourt. He lives and teaches in Amsterdam. 

Yale University | 82-90 Wall Street | RLL (3rd floor) – Room 28 | New Haven, CT 06511 | Contact: Agnes Bolton - french.department@yale.edu | T 203-432-4900 | More Info

 

What it Means to Belong: Second Generation Immigrants in France and National Identity
Patrick Simon and Angéline Escafré-Dublet

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 – 6:00 PM–8:00 PM

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In France today, more than 92% of children of immigrant parents attain French nationality. But do they share the same feelings of belonging as the mainstream French population? This presentation will analyze findings of a major survey carried out in 2008-2009, exploring different understandings of citizenship and belonging. Patrick Simon is Director of Research at Institut National d'Etudes Démographiques (INED), a visiting scholar at the Russell Sage Foundation and a 2010-2011 Fulbright Fellow. Angéline Escafré-Dublet is a post-doctoral fellow at the Center for International Studies and Research (CERI), Sciences Po.

Photo credit: Emilie Danel

Maison Française Columbia University | East Gallery, Buell Hall | Broadway at West 116th Street | New York, NY | T 212.854.4482 | More Info
 

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Hunter College School of Education plans to add a French track to its Bilingual Education programs.3438634606?profile=original
Based in New York City, Hunter College has offered a Master’s in Bilingual Education for Spanish-speaking teacher-candidates since 1983, as well as a bilingual extension for those who already hold New York State teacher certification. In an effort to extend its expertise to French-speaking teacher-candidates, Hunter College hopes to offer two French-specific bilingual education courses starting in January 2012.


Teachers who successfully complete the French track of the Master’s in Childhood or Early Childhood Bilingual Education will be eligible to apply for teaching positions in New York City’s French dual language programs. Teachers who have initial or professional certification in Early Childhood Education or Childhood Education and want to teach in bilingual programs may apply for the Advanced Certificate in Bilingual Extension.

 

For more information, visit: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/school-of-education/programs/graduate/

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Dear Parents,

We wanted to let you know that we have a very strong candidate for the teaching position at PS 110 for the French English Dual Language program for Fall 2011!  It seems that we do not have enough students registered at the moment, the deadline is April 15th, if we don't secure the 18 students there will be no class next year.  If you are planning on attending please go register as soon as possible!
Thank you,
Léa
PS 110 The Monitor School
124 Monitor Street Brooklyn , NY 11222 Phone: (718) 383-7600

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 Monday, April 11, 7:00 p.m.

Apollo%27s%20Angels.jpgJENNIFER HOMANS
Distinguished Scholar in Residence, NYU; dance critic, The New Republic; author of Apollo’s Angels: A History of Ballet (Random House, 2010)

Ballet's Past and Why It Matters

Jennifer Homans is a historian and critic who was also a professional dancer. In Apollo’'s Angels' she traces the evolution of technique, choreography, and performance, drawing readers into the intricacies of the art with vivid descriptions of dances and the artists who made them. Her book is a groundbreaking work—the first cultural history of ballet ever written. It has been a national bestseller and was named a Top 10 Book of 2010 by The New York Times.

Book available for sale on site.


Tuesday, April 12, 7:00 p.m.

PrincePoster.jpgROBERT RUBIN
Curator, Richard Prince: American Prayer, exhibition on view at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France through the end of June, 2011

BeatHippiePunk and the French Connection:
Richard Prince at the Bibliothèque Nationale


Contemporary artist Richard Prince's collection of rare books and manuscripts, around which the show is organized, is the point of departure for the discovery of many surprising connections between Beats, Hippies, and Punks and their Gallic counterparts.




CONFERENCE

Friday & Saturday, April 15 & 16
NYU / CNRS Transitions UMI

Memory and Memorialization: A Doctoral Colloquium

The colloquium brings together advanced doctoral students working on memory, memorials, historical museums, and related topics. They will present their work in a series of roundtable discussions moderated by faculty specialists in the field. This event is part of an extensive collaboration between NYU and France's Centre national de recherche scientifique (CNRS).

Details available from NYU Institute of French Studies: 212-998-8740.

EXHIBITION

Until May 13
Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

pIAF

EDITH PIAF

 

Photographs by HUGUES VASSAL

 

The French photographer Hugues Vassal, one of the creators of the Gamma photo agency, became a close friend of the singer in the last seven years of her life, documenting her public and  private moments.

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Nord Pas de Calais in New York

Hello , marie, french and student in higher education BTS

(saint jude school armentières)

 

I'm a member of this extraordinary project "Nord Pas de Calais", the North of france in New york !

My colleagues and me will arrive soon in the Big Apple, April 17 exactly

 

Why this project ? 

Our goals: To provide development opportunities for companies in the North Pas de Calais in the U.S. in New York, and we also want to make our region a tourist destination and cultural ...

 

don't hesitate to contact me for more information ! !

Best regards

Marie Guerreiro

 

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Join us in our trip to New York which will include several events aiming at presenting and promoting our region, Northern France, through its most attractive aspects.

 

Come discover our museums, companies, innovative products, tourist attractions and gastronomy!

 

We are bringing to the New Yorkers a taste of local products and heritage such as our gastronomy with the most renouned chef in Northern France, our museums, our beers, our lace heritage presented by the french designer Claire Catoire, among many others.

 

Claire Catoire, the French designer of "Claire Veut la Lune" is currently (from April 4th to April 17th) exhibiting her creations at the Fashion Institute of Technology. For this project, Claire Catoire has worked in association with Pascal Auvé, a French photographer. Stop by and check out her impressive creations through photographs.

 

You will find all the information on the link below :

 

http://www.newyorkinfrench.net/xn/detail/3350642:Event:114040?xg_source=activity

 

Our week will end with a special French evening at the restaurant "Benoît" where our special guests will be able to discover our culture and taste our regional foods, spirits, beers and waffles. The evening will end with a cocktail prepared by Chef Marc Meurin , a two-star Michelin Chef. 

 

Follow us on Twitter : LilleRegionNYC

 

 

 

 

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Our trip to New York is getting closer. This event will be the occasion for us to introduce the Nord Pas de Calais Region and its local business in the Big Apple.


 

Find on the following link, from the regional tourism organisation of Lille, a quick movie : the occasion to have a better idea of our patrimony.

 

http://www.northernfrance-tourism.com/video/northern-france.html

 

We can't wait to show you more !

 

 

 


 

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Lille Region in NYC 2011.

Après " Le Nord-Pas-De-Calais à New York, 2009", les étudiants en BTS commerce international et management du lycée Saint Jude d'Armentières , Isabelle Refouni et Véronique Boone, leurs professeurs, reviennent à New York en avril prochain pour faire la promotion de leur région.

Cette nouvelle édition commence par une exposition au Fashion Institute of Technology qui se tiendra du 4 au 17 avril prochains: CLAIRE VEUT LA LUNE et LA MAIN et le FIL.

La créatrice Claire Catoire et le photographe Pascal Auvé vous proposeront un hymne à l'héritage dentelier exceptionnel de notre région et vous feront découvrir l'univers délicat, léger et magique de la dentelle au travers de créations uniques: robes de mariage; robes de cocktail et photographies.

dossier%20presse%20Lace%20exhibit.doc

 

D'autres rendez-vous ponctueront ce mois spécial de la région à New York. En effet, Marc Meurin, Chef doublement étoilé ,participera à cette opération 2011. Il fera découvrir la finesse gastronomique de notre région à travers ses produits spécifiques à l'occasion d'un cocktail qui accueillera une petite centaine de privilégiés.

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As part of the 2011 "Mois de la francophonie", a gathering of over 200 partners, friends, sponsors and beneficiaries of the French Heritage Language Program attended its milestone "réception de l'amitié francophone" on March 15th at the Cultural Services of the French Embassy. They were welcomed by Antonin Baudry, Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy, and Jane Ross, President of the French Heritage Language Program's advisory board. 

To the tune of cheerful live Haitian music played by famous Erny Bruny Band, the party guests celebrated the fifth-year anniversary of the creation of the program which brings culture-based French classes to underserved Francophone populations in New York and Florida. Attendees also got to taste delicious traditional African dishes prepared by the Malian Cultural Center.

 

A program of the nonprofit foundation FACE (French American Cultural Exchange), the French Heritage Language Program has served over 800 children and teenagers since it was created in 2006, thanks to generous donations and numerous partnerships with Francophone and non-Francophone schools and organizations.

 

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This program receives support from the French Government. Donors to this program include The Alfred and Jane Ross Foundation, Florence Gould Foundation, Grand Marnier Foundation, and Arthur Ross Foundation. Partners include The Internationals Network for Public Schools, The Miami Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance, the Malian Cultural Center, and Haitian American in Action.

 

For pictures of the event by Isseu Diouf click here

Full article on France-Amérique: http://www.france-amerique.com/articles/2011/03/18/le_programme_linguistique_french_heritage_fete_ses_5_ans.html

FHLP Website: www.facecouncil.org/fhlp

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  Two new French dual language programs opening in New York City in the Fall. The schools are both in Brooklyn: PS 110 (Greenpoint/Williamsburg) and PS133 (Parks Slope/Gowanus). It's good news! Both will start a French-English dual language program (50-50 Model) in September 2011, starting with grade K and adding a new grade each year. Finding great teachers is key to the success of these programs.
   
If you are interested or know of someone who is interested please ask them to forward a letter of application and resume to: 
 

Dana Raciunas (PS110) at draciun@schools.nyc.gov 

 

Heather Foster-Mann (PS133) at hfoster@schools.nyc.gov

 

Other French dual language teachers are also needed at the following schools.

PS84, a K-5 elementary school on the UWS is urgently looking for a substitute  teacher for its French dual language program for approximately 12 to 14 weeks. The program, most likely, will also be recruiting for a permanent position for the fall. The applicant should be bilingual, bi-literate, NYS certified, NYC licensed. Experience preferred. Please send a CV and cover letter to: Principal Robin Sundick, PS 84, The Lillian Weber School, 32 West 92nd Street, New York, NY 10025 or email  AHauschild@schools.nyc.gov.

 

Bear in mind that all the schools listed below are also actively looking for French teachers.

Grades K to 5: PS 58 (Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn) - contact Giselle Gault gmcgee@schools.nyc.gov 

Grades K to 5: PS 151 (Astoria-Woodside, Queens) - contact Jason Goldner JGoldne@schools.nyc.gov

Grades K to 5: PS73 (Yankee Stadium, Bronx) - contact Jean Mirvil JMirvil@schools.nyc.gov

Grades K to 5: PS84 (Upper West Side, Manhattan) - contact Robin Sundick rsundic@schools.nyc.gov

Grades K to 5: PS770 (Brooklyn) - contact Shimon Waronker SWaronk@schools.nyc.gov

Grades 6 to 8: MS22 (Bronx) - contact Linda Rosenbury LRosenb6@schools.nyc.gov

Grades K to 5 (Harlem) - contact Katrine Watkins: katrinewatkins@yahoo.fr 
 
Also, please visit and join www.newyorkinfrench.net to find more informations about these programs, the parents and educators behind them, and the increasingly dynamic French-speaking community in New York. You can also post your job vacancies, find out about New York's teacher certification, and much more. 
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L'article paru ce jour dans la presse locale illustre une facette de ma collaboration avec Marie Pierre Serra, également membre de NEW YORK IN FRENCH.

Voici quelques unes de mes petites danseuses, réunies par un joli projet éducatif et culturel.

C'est le mois de la francophonie ;)

Bonne lecture!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Ouest France; Edition de Vannes.

Samedi 05 mars 2011

Leur danse, un cours pour des petits Américains

Les danseuses du cours de Myriam Baudic selon la méthode d'Irène Popard appréhendent l'espace, leur corps, le mouvement en toute liberté et créativité.

Les danseuses du cours de Myriam Baudic selon la méthode d'Irène Popard appréhendent l'espace, leur corps, le mouvement en toute liberté et créativité.

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Inspiré de la méthode d'Irène Popard, le cours de danse animé par Myriam Baudic est en lien avec ses comptines. Les cours filmés et photographiés servent de support à des petits Américains.

Reportage

De Vannes à New York, il n'y a qu'un pas grâce à la danse. Que les « petites » de Myriam Baudic font dans la joie. La professeure, également auteure de comptines, a pris le crayon « au départ pour apprendre la danse aux enfants : des jeux de mots sur le haut et le bas, la droite et la gauche... »

Des mots simples, des rimes qui invitent à bouger, des sonorités qui dansent comme : « Accroupi tout petit ; assis tout joli ; allongé dans mon lit ; roule, bouge à genoux ; vite, je me mets debout; »

Sur ce thème, les danseuses de 3 à 11 ans ont choisi leur mouvement. « On voit tout de suite le tempérament de chaque élève. De la récitation à la chorégraphie, il n'y a pas de mouvement imposé. »

Alors qu'Anna, 6 ans, Kenza et Julia, 7 ans, font la démonstration dans la joie et la bonne humeur, puis les plus grandes, « je prends des photos et des vidéos que j'envoie par internet à New York. Une enseignante de classe bilingue s'en sert de support pour enseigner le français à ses élèves ».

L'intérêt pour les petits Américains est de retenir les mots en les mimant, « en jouant avec », de les mémoriser en créant des mouvements. Une exploitation pédagogique et artistique de ses comptines qui enrichit tout le monde.

Pas des chiens savants

Ce qui a séduit l'institutrice américaine est « cette vraie prise de parole par les gestes, analyse Myriam Baudic. Mes élèves ne sont pas des petits chiens savants qui appliquent à la lettre ce qu'on leur dit de faire. Où est l'expression de l'enfant sinon ? »

Elle affirme qu'à ses cours, ses élèves ont « conscience de ce qu'elles font. Les plus renfermées s'extériorisent, les plus agitées s'apaisent ».

La maman de Julia ne voulait pas que sa fille fasse de la danse « rigide, répétitive. Là, elle s'épanouit, elle est heureuse de danser. Elle ne manquerait un cours pour rien au monde ». Celle de Marion dépose sa fille à l'espace Henri-Matisse chaque semaine avec le bonheur de la voir « heureuse de danser. On voulait une activité de loisir et de développement personnel, pas en faire une danseuse professionnelle. Ici, c'est calme en petits groupes ».

Myriam Baudic boit du petit-lait en écoutant ces mamans qui, souvent, sans le savoir, ont fait le choix d'inscrire leur enfant à un cours selon la méthode d'Irène Popard. En 1920, elle a développé une méthode révolutionnaire. « On donne la parole aux enfants, à leur créativité, pour qu'ils se sentent bien dans leur corps et l'espace. » Une question « de respect de l'enfant » pour la professeure vannetaise. Tout un art à la française qui séduit les Américains.

Isabelle JOHANCIK.  Ouest-France  

 

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On Monday, March 7 and continuing on Friday, March 11, Saturday, March 12 (each night a 7:00 PM) and a special

Sunday matinee on March 13 @ 2:00 PM, noted Belgian singer, TONIA BERN-CAMBPELL returns to the New York

cabaret scene at the Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22 Street, for her first appearance in 30 years. She last appeared at the St. Regis and before that at the Waldorf Astoria.

Belgian born, Tonia was discovered by Maurice Chevalier while still in her teens and was featured on his world tour,

on television and radio with the legendary entertainer. She also appeared with Maurice in two French films.

Later, while performing in Paris and singing a song by Jacques Brel, a fellow came up to her after the show and said,

"I want to coach you to sing my songs better than anyone, except me", it was the master himself, Jacques Brel.

Through his coaching, Tonia Bern came to be considered by critics and audiences alike as the premier interpreter of

Brel's music. A fact confirmed by Brel himself in a Paris Match interview.

Tonia's experience with the "Little sparrow" was also through an introduction by M. Chevalier and watching and speaking with Piaf, changed everything Tonia believed about performing.

In this show, "Piaf, Chevalier, Brel and me" Tonia Bern-Campbell tells her personal experiences with each of these legends and sings song identified with them, mostly in French. It's a delightful evening of song, humor and memories.

Tickets are $20 and resrvations came be made by calling the Metropolitan Room (212) 206-0440.     

 

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Come and Join our growing family here at PS151 at this great event in celebration of French culture. 

 

Our next FESTIVITIES will take place:


Where: at PS 151.
When: March 5th, 2011.
From: 2pm to 5pm.


What: French Culture Arts Festival.


03.05.11.flyer%20doc.pdf

 

Divers Activities Offered: Modeling, Face painting, Art Crafts.
Musical Performance in the Auditorium.


Thanks to Our Big Family more precisely thanks to the generosity of our
families from the French DLP:


Le Tournesol Restaurant from LIC.
The Soho Restaurant in Astoria Queens.
Chantale's husband Creperie.

 

Hope to see you there,

 

Maya Camou

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PS84, a K-5 elementary school on the UWS is urgently looking for a substitute teacher for its French dual language program. The applicant should be bilingual, bi-literate, NYS certified, NYC licensed. Experience preferred .

Please send a CV and cover letter to:

Principal Robin Sundick, PS 84, The Lillian Weber School, 32 West 92nd Street, New York, NY 10025 or email  AHauschild@schools.nyc.gov.

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La Poule Plombee at Bowery Poetry Club

http://www.sheisfrench.com/bowery-poetry-club/art/

Mes Cheris!

I love New York! There is no better place to discover new talent, new shows, new ideas. It just is a city where everyday you get a fresh perspective on things ~whether you asked for it or not~ which I find extremely sexy.

The other night, I went to the Bowery Poetry Club & Cafe. Oui mes cheris, New York might be one of the rare place that knows how to make Poetry exciting & hot. The club oozes cool, not the kind sold by the gallon in all the latest new chic lounges and actually just changes packaging every semester (mew!). Non non, je vous assure! This one is the real thing with bartenders that look like poets, give or take a few tattoos!

They have a full agenda of amazing poets & poetess that come for readings, as well as Poetry Slam, Bowery Women and so much more.

But that night it all started with some Burlesque (yes I know it helps to add some ohlala to poetry) and Legs Malone was introducing some new talent to her audience. Just their names could make your dreams a little sweeter: Creamy Stevens, Stormy Leather, and from the UK, Sarah-Louise Young.

Raw sexiness came that night in all different shapes and performances.

But Sarah-Louise Young gave me the best entertainment while staying fully dressed. This English woman  played such a perfect French woman (drama included) that it took me a while to realize that she was not a Parisienne! That in itself is worth the price of the evening.

“What has the English?” by La Poule Plombee is my newest favorite song for its mix of humor and wit. Since then I’ve been singing out loud:

“This may be Deja Vu and I don’t want to make a fuss…. but strictly entre nous what has English given us? …
We gave you Bel- Esprit, we gave you C’est la vie, you gave us …Flip Flop !
We gave you Fiancé, We gave lingerie, you gave us… Jogging! “

If you are in New York run to catch one of her performances this week!

~She


 

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Job Opening: French Bilingual Elementary Teacher

 

PS 58 The Carroll School, in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, is seeking a highly qualified fluent French-speaking teacher for the 2011-2012 academic year. 

 

PS 58 started a French dual language program in September 2007 with 24 students.  The program has since expanded as a result of its success and growing demand from French-speaking families in the neighborhood. Thanks to the support of Education française à New York and Les services culturels de l’Ambassade, the program will welcome 250 students in grades K-4 in 2011-2012. 

 

This dual language program is a bilingual (or immersion) program where instruction in all subjects happens in both French and English.  In each classroom, fifty percent of the students speak French at home.  The other half speaks English or another language at home, and is developing proficiency in French.  By the end of fifth grade, students will be able to speak, read and write in both languages. 

 

Only four stops away from Manhattan, the school is located in the charming, bustling neighborhood of Carroll Gardens and is surrounded by beautiful historic townhouses that overlook Carroll Park.  

 

PS 58 is seeking highly motivated and enthusiastic candidates to teach in grades K-4.    

 

Qualifications required

-              Permanent US citizenship or green card

-              Teacher certification from New York State or another state with reciprocal agreements

-              Fluency in written and spoken French

-              Experience working with children

-              Excellent communication skills

-              Strong collaborative teaching skills

 

Qualifications preferred

-              New York State certification in elementary education

-              New York State extension in Bilingual Education – French

-              Knowledge of balanced literacy

-              Knowledge of bilingual education or ESL

-              Three years’ teaching experience in elementary education

 

Should you have questions about the program or the position, please e-mail Marie Bouteillon, Instructional Coach, at mariebouteillon@hotmail.com.  Please send your resume and cover letter in English and a French writing sample to Giselle McGee, Principal, at GMcGee@schools.nyc.gov.

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