This is the fourth in a series of blog “snapshots” of how Mercy students benefit from using iPad technology (and other tools) throughout the school day.

During National French Week, Madame Joyce Campbell’s French 1, French 2 and French 3 students Skyped with Mercy alumna, Kiara McCalvin (’10), and practiced their French speaking skills with her on current topics that they were studying in class.

Ms. McCalvin majored in French at Howard has recently completed her Masters in French Language and Culture from Kent University in England. Madame Campbell and her students caught up with Ms. McCalvin via Skye in La Rochelle, France where she has been teaching English to French children.

Each French 1 student practiced introducing  herself  in French (including name, age, and what they liked to do) and Ms. McCalvin asked them questions in French about they and their families. The French 2 students asked her about her living situation  She then used her iPad to give them a visual tour of her house  The French 2 students were also able to discuss furniture and items in the house with Ms. McCalvin.

The French 3 students conversed with her in French about her internship and program from Howard University which propelled her to France as an educator in 2 elementary schools teaching English. The French 3 students had been studying careers and educational formation needed to pursue those careers in their class. They enjoyed her insight and recommendations for careers using the French language and culture. The students and Madame Campbell also read excerpts from Ms. McCalvin’s blog after the Skype experience which enriched the cultural comparisons between France and the U.S. Her blog was posted on Schoology for the classes to read and enjoy. The Mercy students enjoyed the experience immensely, greatly benefiting from from this streaming “French connection”!!!

— Post co-creators, Madame Campbell and Mr. Baker