Me, my French and I - A personal view of second language learning in Australia

Catherine Berry

By Catherine Berry
Community contribution / August 9, 2017

My children’s language education started in Year 7 at school–not theirs, mine. Mine was a Catholic college in Adelaide, run by the Dominican nuns.

“Ca va?”

“Ca va. Ca va?”

“Ca va.”

Not at all ‘nunnish’; however, was my French teacher ...

Veritas Burnley

Teaching Aides & Special Needs / Jan 13, 2026

Project Officer - Metropolitan North Region

Department of Education and Training (Queensland) Brisbane

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people? This is an exciting opportunity to join the Metropolitan North Regional team as we seek a Pr...

Teaching - Secondary / Jan 13, 2026

Principal (Level 7) - North Rockhampton State High School

Department of Education and Training (Queensland) Rockhampton

North Rockhampton State High School is seeking applications for a Principal to join the team. The successful applicant will deliver the vision of the department, impro...

Teaching - Secondary / Jan 13, 2026

By Catherine Berry

Community

Catherine Berry is a passionate language learner and educator. After the birth of her third child, her teaching was costing her more in childcare and schooling for her children than her salary warranted. Despite her love of the classroom, she turned instead to at-home tutoring, where a chance request from a student led her, a non-native French speaker, to attempt to speak only French with her son. This in turn led to a project for the family to live in France for a year. Three and a half years later, Catherine’s family returned to Australia. Finding it difficult to ‘turn the page’ on their French life, Catherine instead turned to writing. ‘But you are in France, Madame’ was the result (search by title (Kindle and paper editions)). Catherine can be contacted on cb222@me.com

Similar news

Community / Pourquoi pas?: A travel agent helped to deepen my French students' learning School news / Support for second language learning Bill growing, says Kaye Community / Learning about bérets connected my Year 9s with French history and identity

Latest comments

Timed to take effect at the start of school holidays so that teachers won't have to deal with the withdrawal symptoms...

— Phil Uren on Difficult Period Ahead As Kids’ Social Media Ban Officially Takes Effect From Today

Top events

School news / Chickens, guinea pigs and more: animal assisted wellbeing program grows

Victorian public school students will get to enjoy more fluffy, furry and feathered friends in their classrooms in the new year with State Government funding support to the tune of $2.7 million for animal-assisted wellbeing and engagement programs.

School news / Tragedy spurs warnings on underwater breath-holding in the coming summer months

For many of us, swimming is a source of joy and freedom, and snorkelling underwater is a summer staple, but did you know that holding your breath in shallow water can be fatal.

School news / Mental health blow: My Mind Check platform closes due to Fed Govt funding cut

A free digital mental health platform used by more than 200 schools (and counting) has been wound up due to its Department of Education funding being cut.

School news / ‘This is something that’s learned’: Gonski to lead new Anti-Semitism Education Taskforce

Independent Schools Australia (ISA) has welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement of the Anti-Semitism Education Taskforce, describing it as an important step in strengthening social cohesion and addressing anti-semitism.

School news / Getting them on track: new WA pilot program aims to break cycles of disadvantage

The WA Government is seeking people with cultural, community and child development expertise to advise on a ground-breaking initiative to help prevent youth crime.

School news / Teaching disability awareness and shaping how future gens understand inclusion

With more than 5.5 million Australians living with disability, early education has become critical in shaping how future generations understand inclusion, accessibility, and equality – yet schools still lack regular access to disability awareness ...

School news / Grappling with an unspeakable tragedy: talking to children about the Bondi attack

Parents are being encouraged to gently check in with their children who may be feeling unsettled or fearful after the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.

School news / Safer in school: extra year of compulsory schooling reduces child harm: new study

Compulsory schooling for 16-year-olds boosts attendance and reduces their risk of maltreatment and need for emergency healthcare, new research has found.

School news / National Curriculum designed to fuel climate anxiety among children, new report says

The National Curriculum is skewed towards ideological environmental instruction through the mandated cross-curriculum priority of sustainability, according to a new report, which has also been criticised for its political motives.

School news / Vic Govt resources supporting students’ mental health at school and online

The Victorian Government has released new resources for schools to help students, teachers and parents navigate the impacts of social media and screentime.

Comments