Grenoble Law SchoolLaw at the top

Discovering the profession of English teacher

1/ How does one become a specialized English teacher?

My career path is not necessarily very typical for an English teacher...

I first took the CAPES, which is the French national education competitive exam. During my studies, I taught English as well as French as a foreign language in nursery and elementary schools. I then took a position at an alternative high school specializing in helping students get back on track (Collège Lycée Élitaire pour Tous) in Grenoble. I was then hired by the CNED to prepare bachelor's degree level courses. Subsequently, I became a professor of English specializing in law by chance, when I applied for a position at the University of Grenoble. That's when I discovered the fascinating field of law! More recently, I decided to complete my studies with a thesis in legal English, which I defended in 2015 and for which I received a COMUE UGA award.

2/ What does your job involve?

I teach English to all students in the Faculty of Law, from first-year to master's level. This represents 384 hours of teaching per year, spread over five days a week. Three-quarters of my work takes place before classes, the aim being to take as much of a back seat as possible so that students can make use of the tools I have prepared and speak as much as possible. When I started at the Faculty of Law, it took me a long time to prepare my lessons because I had to learn everything about law. Today, I have more knowledge of legal vocabulary and culture, which allows me to be more efficient.

What I like most about my job is the creativity required to design courses that stimulate students' imaginations. I want them to put themselves in the shoes of Anglo-Saxon lawyers, so I offer a lot of professional scenarios (simulated plea bargaining, trials, etc.). My courses focus on Anglo-Saxon law, both in terms of language and culture. I also really appreciate the special relationship I have with my students. I believe that students generally enjoy English classes because it is a subject where they can express themselves. I have also been teaching English to magistrates and lawyers at the Grenoble Courthouse for 10 years. These sessions have taught me a lot about French law.

3/ What do you think about educational innovation?

English teachers have been innovating in their teaching methods for around 15 years. We saw major reforms in this area in 2001 with the European Framework of Reference for Languages and the task-based approach. The real-life scenarios that language teachers use in class make students more dynamic and help them overcome their apprehensions. English is not an easy subject to teach in law, because we first have to break down the short-term view of students who think that it will penalize them and will not be useful. This requires stimulating them intellectually to overcome these barriers.

In addition, I often take courses to improve my approach to teaching. For example, I have taken courses on conflict management, practice analysis, emotional regulation, etc. This has allowed me to develop good relationships with students who are not always very open to my subject at first.

Looking back on a mobility stay

4/ Can you tell us about your latest mobility experience in London?

From June 14 to 22, 2018, I took part in a mobility program in London funded by the Erasmus+ program.

During my first week there, I accompanied magistrates from the Grenoble courthouse, where I teach, on a tour of the English legal system. To this end, I had prepared a program for them that included various activities: attending criminal and civil hearings; a visit to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom and the British Parliament; a viewing of the play "Witness for the Prosecution" (based on a novel by Agatha Christie) in a Council chamber; a detour to the National Library to see the Magna Carta (the founding document of human rights); and a meeting with a family law attorney to discuss practices.

My second week of the program consisted of a legal internship with Victoria Green, a family law attorney. I took on the role of "mini pupil" (the name given to law students who work with a lawyer for one or two weeks to supplement their legal training with professional experience) and accompanied Ms. Green on her daily visits. During my observation internship, I had the opportunity to visit several London courts and spent many hours on public transport (about 4 hours a day)! With Ms. Green, I followed child placement cases, protection order hearings against a violent husband, etc.

5/ What conclusions do you draw from this experience?

I found this trip fascinating. Experiencing everyday justice, interacting with those involved, and discovering how it works "in real life" is essential for me. It is important to take an anthropological approach to learning about legal professions because of my role as a specialized English teacher. During these 15 days in London, I was able to learn about family law, observe the legal profession, develop new ideas, and diversify my knowledge. This experience really reinforced my belief that there are some things you can't learn from books!