Hi all!
The great assistantship plan is finally starting to come together, as I'm finally getting some detail about where I'm going!
My académie is Toulouse, but I'm actually posted in a smaller town called Saint Gaudens (apparently, population in 1999 was 10 837, and the town is fewer than 100km from Toulouse). Fairly close to the Spanish border, which is pretty awesome. Can't find a heap of info about the place yet (but I could still spend some more time on it...), but it seems to have a cool 'Collegiate Church of Saint Peter and Saint Gaudens'.
Also, L'Internaute reports some interesting statistics: Sadly, 45.9% male and 54.1% female. However, 24% supposedly between the ages of 20 and 39 years, so this is good.
My time will be divided between 3 schools.
- The main one, where I'll be spending 8h per week, is a lycée générale et technique, called Lycée de Bagatelle. The lycées are for students of about 15-18 years of age and, according to wikipedia, lycées générales tend to lead to uni degrees, and students of lycées techniques are headed towards shorter studies.
Built in 1971. There are some pics on the website. There also seems to be something automatic about the cafeteria... I will be interested to see how this works! 7 English teachers, and current language assistants seems to have been helping with English and Spanish. - I'll also be spending 2h per week at Collège Leclerc. Collèges are for students of approx 11-15 years of age.
From what I can tell, the history of this place goes back to about 1806 (something about Napoléon 1 decreeing that a seminary should be built). I'm a little bit confused about whether it is still in the same place, or has moved... I think it has moved, but (interesting fact) the original was also a military hospital for injured soldiers during WWI. - And another 2h per week at Collège Didier Daurat.
Takes its name from the dude who was repsonsible for the 'aeropostal line' between Toulouse and Santiago-du-Chili. Before the Lycée Bagatelle was built, it went right through from 11 to 18 years, but it's now just 11-15.
Apparently, there are 9 'education assistants' here, but I'm not too sure what that means. Surely they can't all be language assistants like me if it's such a small place?!
Apparently, there are only 4 collèges and 4 lycées in the place, so I'll get to see several! Anyhow, more info to follow... hopefully.
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