French With Mme. Bernicke
Mme. Bernicke, vbernicke@gisu.org
Meet Madam BernickeI grew up in Switzerland, speaking both French and English.
I have loved teaching since I began working with kids as a gymnastics coach and volunteer tutor in High School in Switzerland. My parents’ have had a strong influence on me as International Educators for 60 years. They have pioneered several schools in Switzerland, Kenya and Zambia, all where I have worked at some point in my teaching career. I have 3 grown sons and began my French teaching career with them when I ran my own French speaking daycare/preschool from our home in AnnArbor Michigan when they were young. I went on to get my Masters in Education at Michigan and have been teaching French ever since. I have taught KG-8th grades ESL and/or French for over 20 years in a variety of settings.The past 13 years have been in Vermont in both public and private settings and as a volunteer with New Americans settling into the Burlington area. Currently I am teaching K-6 French to the 230+ students across the CIUUSD at Grand Isle and North Hero Schools. I love to travel, hike and camp (preferably all at once!), and to do so with my sons and husband when possible. I love sharing stories about people, language and culture from around the world. I also love helping students make up their own stories about things they care about. My favorite part of being with students is sharing moments of connection; moments when they make the link with what they know to what they are learning new. |
How I Teach LanguageI teach from a philosophy of comprehensible input. This means that we learn language best the same way we learned our first language -- through games, songs, rhymes, skits, imagination, acting and lots of props and tactile tools which invite communication that is authentic, engaging and fun! We start and end each class with a call and response verse or rhyme to practice fluency.
One of my favorite things is when students begin to lead the class through these call and responses, no longer needing me to lead! Email me anytime with questions, comments, concerns or celebrations:
vbernicke@gisu.org |
Authentic and meaningful communication are what guide my classes.
Kindergarten-ThirdWe play games to learn vocabulary, and use question and answer words and phrases.
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Fourth-SixthStudents begin to read and write short stories while continuing to play games to reinforce vocabulary and question and answer phrases.
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I love hearing about students who break into song or use phrases from class at home! This is a very advanced capacity to be able to transfer a second language out of the class context when only taught in school. Please celebrate it anytime you hear it!
It is also fine if students are still in the input stage and are not yet ready for output, just like when they were learning their first language. Second Language acquisition is a journey and the earlier it is started, even if it is only one class a week, the easier it will be to learn any language in the future.
It is also fine if students are still in the input stage and are not yet ready for output, just like when they were learning their first language. Second Language acquisition is a journey and the earlier it is started, even if it is only one class a week, the easier it will be to learn any language in the future.
Extend Language Learning Home
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Duolingo is a fun language app that can extend language learning at home.
You can also tune into French Canadian radio stations just across our border! |