@SHANNON PEARSON
@DATA TYPE: RETROSPECTIVE
@LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
@COUNTRY: FRANCE
@PARTICIPANTS: S 
@SETTING: PRIVATE
@TIME: LATE
@SCHOOL: SECONDARY

1  Reflecting on live recording

* I'm really shocked at the level of my French.  I sound very nervous - I'm giggly.
* I thought I knew my responsable quite well already at this point, but listening to the tape I realise that I'm not at all comfortable - I now know him much better.  
* He seemed to understand my situation well - really listened to me.  He allowed me to direct the conversation.  He is a confident person however, so I don't think that he really understood why I had concerns or was nervous etc.  His attitude is more - "It'll be fine!"
* I was very satisfied with the outcome.  We both spoke and listened to each other.  I was able to talk about everything that I wanted to and was reassured that I was doing OK!
* I think that the tmoignage is quite an accurate reflection, but I obviously thought that I was more confident/comfortable than I really was.  I thought that I knew him better than I really did.  I also thought that my French was slightly better than it was -I'm ashamed at how badly I'm speaking French with Valentin. 
*  I had already discussed the timetables, tasks, observation etc with Valentin before I made the recording.
* Valentin was interested to know how I had integrated myself into French society.
* I don't think that Valentin is at all judgemental of me.  He seemed a bit reluctant to talk about how I was doing - just saying that things were fine - I realise now though that it was probably because it was so early on.
* He seems interested in me and shows concern that I'm happy in France and in the school.
* He did help me with the administrative side of things but that was earlier in the week.
* He made it clear that he would always be available to talk/ help if I wanted. I see all the teachers, including Valentin, very regularly.
* The freedom of teaching differs with teachers and classes.

2  Reflecting on relationship with responsable

* I immediately liked my responsable.  My impression of him hasn't really changed over time.
* I probably like him more because I know him better now.  He always has lots of English/ England related questions to ask me and likes it when I have questions for him.  (He even asks me about baby talk because he's doing an 'experiment' with his child, where he only speaks to him in English!)
* I don't think that the logbook really shows the full extent of my relationship with my responsable, and definitely not with the other teachers.  I think this is because I see them four days a week and have a very social relationship with them too.  I didn't really log the general conversations - I stuck to logging things that had to do with school and teaching more directly.
* I think that as a result of being in the PIC project, the teachers interacted with me more.  Apparently, in previous years the assistants have just been left to it and can teach what they like etc.  I can teach what I like, but I can also have guidance if I want it.  I think that the social relationships that I have with the teachers are the result of talking to them initially about work.
* I have been on theatre trips, been for meals at people's houses gone for days out and took part in the trips for the exchange students in France.  I have also been asked to accompany the teachers to Holland on an exchange in April.  I feel very useful and comfortable being in school.

3  Reflecting on the assistantship experience

* I think it would be better to find out which school we're going to earlier in the year so that we can start making arrangements.  (It's difficult to do anything over the summer holidays - should know in advance - well before the holidays.)



2


