On Monday I had a final interview for a new job* in September. This final interview was, I hoped, the last step in what has been a long process. First, I had to create my resume IN FRENCH. Then, I had to write a motivation letter IN FRENCH. Next I had an interview with the director of the school, representatives of the parents association, and some of the teachers IN FRENCH. Two weeks later they called asking me to come into the school for a day long visit. It went great. I love the school, the staff is nice, and the ambiance is just the right type of controlled-chaos, active learning, creative environment that I love.
Then that was it. Nothing more. During my visit it felt as if I had the job. The way the staff and the director spoke to me about the future made it all feel very definite. But no one had confirmed anything.
Later I was contacted by the president of the parent's association so that we could get together to chat a bit. This was the interview on Monday. We met in Paris and found a little cafe it sit in on the cold, rainy day. Our conversation was fun and animated. I tend to ramble in French because I am never quite sure if I am getting my point across. As we neared the end of the conversation I finally managed to ask, "so, do I have this job?" (It was much more polite and formal than this as it was IN FRENCH.) Her reply was, "Yes, I THINK it has been decided."
THINK? How about just a "yes"?
And today, I received this:
See where it says "votre candidature a été retenue"? I am pretty sure that means - I'm hired!
Ever since I moved to France I have felt a little lost. Leading backpacking trips and teaching ecology was so right for me in the states but that direction of my life changed when I decided to move across the pond. Finding myself again in a place where I started out knowing no one and not speaking the language has been nothing short of challenging. This job represents in so many ways the progress I have made not only in terms of speaking French but also in my ability to navigate my life in foreign waters. I think we might be getting somewhere.
*I will be teaching English at a private school not far from my home. This school uses active pedagogy which means that the I can teach the way that I love to - through movement, creativity, games, nature, music, and more. The school includes levels maternelle (3-5 year olds) up to CM2 (10-11 year olds) with 6 classes of mixed ages. I will be splitting the work with another teacher but I think I will be primarily responsible for the older students. English hasn't officially been taught at the school before so we have the opportunity to develop something really cool. I can't wait.
