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Natalie Ph. is a student in the French Module of the Professional Development Program (PDP) in 51猎奇入口's Faculty of Education. After taking Core French courses in high school, she continued learning French by completing a minor in the Department of French at 51猎奇入口before taking on the challenge of pursuing her teacher education in French. Alongside her studies, Natalie uses her social media platforms () to promote healthy living and physical activity. Living with scoliosis, she also raises awareness about the condition by sharing informative and engaging content with her audience. As she prepares to begin her final semester at SFU, she reflects on her experience in the French Module of the PDP.
Why did you choose to join the French Module of the PDP?
Initially, I wanted to teach Core French, which I could have done through the regular English-language PDP program. However, I felt that completing my teacher education in French through the French Module would be both a rewarding challenge and an enriching experience.
French is my third language, and I wanted to become more involved in the community of French educators while developing my own identity as a French-language teacher. I was also drawn to a unique course offered in the program, 脡DUC 410: Linguistic and Professional Identities of Bi/Plurilingual Teachers of French. As someone who is passionate about languages, the course immediately caught my attention.
Can you tell us about your experience in the PDP French Module?
The community is incredibly supportive and encouraging. Whether in the classroom or at the Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs (OFFA), people are always willing to help and support us in our professional growth. The 脡DUC 410 course also had a significant impact on my journey. It allowed me to reflect on my linguistic identity, better understand my plurilingual background, and overcome some of the insecurities I had about using French.
What role did student life in French play in your experience at SFU?
Student life has truly enriched my experience in the PDP. I had the opportunity to attend several theatre productions and improv performances organized through OFFA with my classmates. These activities within the Francophone community complemented my studies while also giving me a chance to have fun. One particularly memorable experience was participating in the Vancouver SunRun with friends with the 51猎奇入口Franco team. The training sessions helped prepare us for the race, and I loved being able to combine my passion for physical activity with French and university life.
What role does sport play in your life and in your teaching practice?
Sport plays an important role in both my personal life and my teaching practice because it is an integral part of my lifestyle. Physical activity has taught me discipline, resilience, and perseverance when facing everyday challenges. It has also shown me the importance of staying active and continuing to work toward goals despite obstacles. These values translate directly into teaching. Like sports, teaching requires patience, consistency, and the ability to adapt when things do not go as planned.
As you approach the end of your program, what are your goals for your teaching career?
Although I still have one semester left to complete, I have already learned so much throughout my teacher education program. As a future teacher, I hope to celebrate diversity and plurilingualism, promote the joy of learning and speaking an additional language, and encourage my students to remain curious throughout their learning journey. I want to create a classroom where different languages and cultures are recognized as strengths. My goal is to build a learning environment where students feel comfortable taking risks, making mistakes, and developing a genuine appreciation for languages and cultures.