Know the Aztecs: Madame Myriam Remond

By Ariana Arredondo

The ability to speak multiple languages is a cherished and highly important skill in our globalized world. El Dorado boasts a diverse and talented foreign language faculty, which includes the multi-cultural French teacher Myriam Remond. She helps her students in regular French and IB French, to have a global perspective, not just of high school, but also of what life is like for people outside of the United States.

Aztec Gold: Where were you born? Where did you grow up?

Myriam Remond: I was born in France, near Switzerland.

AG: What languages do you know, other than French and English?

MR: I know Spanish, since I lived in Spain and I learned German, but I have to practice my German.

AG: Did you experience any culture shock when you moved here? MR: Of course! For example, when you go to a restaurant, in France we ask people to have very good manners. And here when you come to a restaurant, it’s loud, you have the TV on, you have music, you have people who are being loud. So, for us it was something unusual because in France when you go to the restaurants it’s more to socialize, and just a quiet environment so you can enjoy your dinner and the time you spend with your friends and family.

AG: How was your school life? What did you study?

MR: In high school, I was focusing on mathematics, science, and physics. In college, I chose to major in psychology.

AG: Did you plan on becoming a teacher?

MR: Actually no, but then I started volunteering at an elementary school, Loma Verde, and I taught students French.

AG: What were your responsibilities as a volunteer? MR: It was what we call “super school,” so it was enrichment classes for advanced students, so the teacher could give more help to students who were struggling in class. We always had different students and they loved it and it was fun.

AG: How long have you been teaching? MR: I started in 2010, so for six years, plus six years as a volunteer.

AG: Your daughters are in college here. What differences do you see between their college experience and yours in France?

MR: I think what surprised me here, is that students have to take basics, and in France, what we call the “basics” is something that we do in high school, so we don’t have to do it at the college level. When you go to college you have to choose what you want to study, since the first year you’re already starting to get specialized in your major.

AG: What differences do you see between French and American schools?

MR: It depends, elementary and middle school is pretty much the same. The difference is more in high school. In high school in France, the students are more independent. They are treated more like they are at the college level. The students have their own schedule and it`s different every day and each week. This means they have to be really responsible and every day they have to know what they have to take to school.

AG: Personally, which one do you prefer?

MR: I prefer how it’s done in France, because it forces students to be responsible and to be organized. If you’re organized in your studies, that is how you can be successful.