CIEE's First French Immersion Teacher Site Visit in Rennes

This blog was written by Karen Haller Beer, the Managing Editor for the HSSA World Language Curriculum. 

When I learned that I was going to have the opportunity to co-host a group of teachers for the first-ever CIEE French Immersion teacher site visit, I was certainly honored and excited. I knew it would be amazing to be immersed in the French language while exploring a town I knew little about and  meeting new people. I traveled to Rennes full of optimism for a positive experience – and what I got out of it far exceeded my expectations! 

Why Rennes Is the Ideal Setting for French Immersion

First, the charming city of Rennes was the perfect setting for this visit. Rennes is easy to navigate and boasts beautiful architecture, a fascinating history, and a cultural plurality to immerse visitors in French language and culture while simultaneously introducing local Breton culture.  The CIEE Study Abroad Rennes center staff were warm and welcoming to our group and did their best to ensure we had an experience that gave deep insights into the High School Summer Abroad French Language and Culture in Rennes program (along with its companion Honors program), while also coordinating engaging excursions and delicious meals that brought the group together. 

A Community of Passionate French Educators

The educators we welcomed in Rennes were exceptional people – all dedicated French teachers and counselors from around the US, fluent in the language and willing to do whatever it takes to help their students to achieve success in French. This group clicked immediately and formed bonds with one another that are sure to last long after their return home. By the end of the week, we really had become a close-knit group; when it came time to say goodbye, group members exchanged tight hugs and contact information. In just 4 days, these teachers had formed a true professional learning community, as evidenced by them setting up a Google Drive in which they could share photos and documents with activity ideas and resources with one another. Witnessing the personal connection was touching, but the professional connection was even more impressive – each member of the group will return to the classroom this fall with enthusiasm for their content and new ideas for activities and practices that were shared among the team. 

Observing Study Abroad in Action

The goal of the visit was for teachers to see a CIEE program in action. Teachers got to observe two days of classes at all levels, as well as accompany students on their Community Conversations (where students talk to locals in the area to achieve a linguistic task) and excursions. Additionally, this program sought to offer an opportunity for teachers to immerse themselves in French – English was absolument interdit. While the group never formally signed a Language Pledge, like students do, they were certainly committed to speaking in French in all contexts. It was an opportunity for everyone to apply their skills and – more importantly – serve as role models to students on program, who did formally pledge to stay in the target language.

Takeaways from a Transformative Week

At the end of the week, teachers formally shared their impressions of the program. They loved the connectedness of the curriculum, the warmth of the staff, and the variety of opportunities students had to learn language and culture. They were impressed by the quality of instruction, the language level of students, and the fact that everyone was committed to making progress in French. Teachers also expressed gratitude to CIEE for the generous scholarships offered – this made them feel empowered to promote the programs at their school without feeling like they were excluding anyone. Most teacher participants said that the week in Rennes was exactly what they had hoped for – an opportunity to use French in an immersive setting, to learn more about the programs they were already supporting in their school, and to make professional connections. And the friendships and fond memories were la cerise sur le gâteau!

Ready to Inspire Your Students Through Immersive Language Learning?

Explore how your school can partner with CIEE to bring language and culture to life. Learn more about CIEE's high school summer abroad programs.