Preparatory Seminar: Invitation and Program

We're in June, yes, and I thought I'd only write one stupid post about that stupid fact, but NO!! Because when I came home just an hour ago, my mum told me I'd received something from the wbz cps concerning the LAP! Oh joy! But, alas, it was "only" the invitation and program of the preparatory seminar that will take place in Zürich, on the 17th of June... But anyway, it's better than nothing and I'm looking forward to it!

Here is the program ladies and gentlemen!

09.15-10.00 ~~ Arrival, administration, refreshments

10.00 ~~ Welcoming / seminar objectives

Introduction and organisation

10.15-12.30 ~~ WORKSHOP I

Language assistants to the UK

Introduction to the school system

The role of the language assistant

Organisation and administration on arrival

(travel, immigration, tax, health
and social security, pay)

12.45 ~~ Lunch at restaurant

14.00-17.00 ~~ WORKSHOP II

FFL (French as a foreign language)
in the UK, Germany and Austria

"The teaching of FFL in the UK and

in the German-speaking countries"

17.30 ~~ End of the seminar

Tah dah! Doesn't it sound exciting? =D Well it does to me!

How It Started

*Wow I feel so emotional! My very first post on my brand new blog! =P*

Ok so I thought it'd be a good idea to tell you about how I got to become a French assistant...


I found out about the LAP (Language Assistant Program) at uni, when I was randomly looking at the notice board. I had just started uni then and well, as soon as my eyes fell on the small notice, I knew that I'd want to become a French assistant in the UK after my BA (Bachelor of Arts).

Only after two years could I start working on my application for the LAP. And that was not a piece of cake! Huge form to fill in, curriculum vitae, covering letter, referral letter, health statement, police record, ... That took me quite a while, but it was exciting so I didn't mind! I sent my application in December, I think. And in February, I had to go to Bern to be interviewed. I was really anxious, but it went fine! The two interviewers, the woman responsible for the LAP in Switzerland (from wbz cps) and another woman, representative of the British Council, were both really nice and they put me at ease. I was given about 20 minutes to prepare an oral lesson and then I had to present it in front ofthe two interviewers. I also had to answer questions about myself and about my motivations, both in French and in English. It lasted about one hour.

The week after, I received a letter (by snail mail) telling me I was accepted in the program! Man I was SO happy! In the letter, there was some information about what would happen next. In June, I'll have a preparatory seminar with all the Swiss assistants. Also in June, I should get an e-mail from the British Council informing me about my allocation and, eventually, between June and August, my school/s will contact me.

I still have a while to go. And gosh, I hate waiting. It makes me nervous.

*Relax, Take It Easy!*