A bit about myself...
French in the North Country and for a global world. |
My name is Cara Atkinson . Originally from Pennsylvania, I graduated from Penn State University in 2006 with a B.S. in Applied French, Linguistics and Teaching English as a Second Language. During that time, I studied abroad for a year in Fribourg, Switzerland where I also taught English at an international school. After working for several environmental and agricultural-related non-profits, I decided to return to school to pursue my Masters as well as teaching certificate from Holy Family University (Philadelphia). I student-taught in the Philadelphia area and was a maternity-leave replacement for a year at LPCSD in 2012-2013. In 2014-2015, I taught at Elizabethtown-Lewis Central school. I have been teaching again in Lake Placid since 2015.
I am often asked “what type of French do you teach/speak?” The idea of teaching Parisian French versus Quebecois, I have found, is a subject prone to intense opinions. However, my answer to that is simply I teach French for communication. French, at its core, has all the same ground-work. The rest is what makes language fun and alive! During all my years of studying French, starting in 9th grade, I have always been drawn to the many flavors and varieties of the culture, accents, slang and idiosyncrasies of different dialects and registers of the French-speaking world from France, to Quebec, to the Caribbean, to Africa and beyond. I have studied and worked in Switzerland, travelled French-speaking Europe and have worked in several industries in the North Country which serves both Quebecois as well as French and Creole Haitians and French speakers from Africa now living in and around Montreal. Students will be exposed to different accents from around the world, the differences between written and spoken forms of the language, as well as regional slang used by speakers. With that said, we live in an utterly unique area of the continental United States, where French is fundamental to our cultural history as well as critical to the vitality of our economic future. To paint the picture in a different light: Lake Placid Central School is closer to 3+ million French speakers in the Montreal region than to our own state’s capital! The goal of the next few years is: · acquiring a love of the pursuit of bilingualism and an openness to other cultures · a solid base in the French language · openness to the many flavors of the French language · and ultimately a life long drive in the pursuit of language learning In 5-10 years, whether your son or daughter relocates nationally or internationally, or stays in the North Country, studying French will have ultimately: · Changed their brain—research as shown that bilinguals brains are different to their monolingual counterparts. The bilingual has been shown to have improved cognitive and social abilities compared to a monolingual. · Improved their English vocabulary and test-taking skills (60% of English vocabulary is derived from French) · Given them a base for many international careers (after English, French is still the main language of international affairs). · Given them an edge for business, the tourism and service industry, as well as manufacturing careers in the North Country which are all largely driven by French-speaking Quebec. · Served as the jumping point to add Spanish or another language—a task much easier after your brain and voice are trained in a second language. I hope you are as excited as I am about your son or daughter embarking on this journey! If you have any questions or need to reach me, please email me at [email protected] or [email protected] Cara Atkinson |
I'd love to hear from you... |
Knowing about you will help me understand your son or daughter. Feel free to email me and introduce yourself.
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