These Things Take Backbone

I've never been a huge fan of public speaking, but in France I have been doing more presentations and speeches than I did in the US!

Last Friday, I had to give an exposé on whatever I wanted and the time limit didn't matter. My immediate thought was, "You expect me to do this in a foreign language?" Indeed, that was the task at hand - to talk about whatever you wanted in French. I'll talk about whatever I want, but in French?

I underestimated myself just a little bit.

I decided to give my exposé on the good ole University of Tennessee at Knoxville. (Go Vols!)

I prepared my information and notes, and when the time actually came for me to get up in front of my classmates and tell them about my American university, I wasn't as terrified as I thought I would be. I understand the concept of it all. We have to be able to communicate our thoughts and paint a picture for other people in order to prove that we really do understand what we are learning. After all, that is why all of us are here, to learn to speak French.

My presentation turned out really well and eventually turned into a discussion. My classmates were very curious about my university and they asked me a lot of questions. It was a little nerve racking not knowing what they were going to ask me, but I really had no reason to worry. I understood everything they asked me and they understood my answers! (Which is probably the more important part.)

Sounds like my first presentation in French went pretty well, right?

Well there's a second one, and this one did not go as well.

I am taking a "simulation globale" class and we all have alternate identities. My name in class is Tolly Dupont and I am a "orthophoniste" or speech pathologist! My teacher picked a couple students to run for mayor. While she was drawing names, I had a sinking feeling and I just knew she was going to draw my name. Sure enough she did!

Over the next week, I prepared a little speech which included the three things I would do to try to make our village a better place. I planned to end hunger in our village, provide benefits for students, and improve the education of children in our village. When we did a mock press conference, my classmates asked me about social security.... animal rights..... and what I was going to do about the gap between the rich and the poor....

Needless to say, I was not prepared for any of that. After this little election, I was embarrassed and discouraged. It was my first 'low' of being here, and it wasn't fun.

After the weekend passed, I was done with my little pity party and now I am back on the horse ready for more and I have thrown myself into speaking French more and more every day since!