Language connects you with other people

“This is all well and good, but when are we going to have a real meal”, that is what volunteer Yann Morard asked more than twenty years ago at his first language vacation in Pondrôme. A minor cultural shock was waiting to befall him.

Yann Morard had just arrived in Belgium and was waiting for a hot meal at lunch time. For someone who grew up in France, where a hot meal is usually served at noon, eating a sandwich was a peculiar habit - to say the least.

A chance encounter

To be fair, Yann’s arrival at Roeland was actually an ‘accident de parcours’, a mishap. He lived in the vicinity of Lille and he dreamt about a life as a teacher in England. He went around the block to end up with the non-profit association. ”A week earlier, I did not even know about Roeland’s existence”, he smiles. What was meant as a temporary experience became a turning point. The first couple of weeks were difficult though and he was not convinced it was really his cup of tea.

Yann: “I signed up for the first language camp as a try-out for myself: ‘Am I cut out to be a teacher?’ Two encounters changed everything for me. Two enthusiastic people noticed my abilities and gave me the space to develop my talents. Because of this experience, I learned that language is not just about memorizing words. When you learn a language, your world view expands and you develop a network.”

“What appealed to me right from the beginning was the fact that I picked up some skills to teach French via a unique approach: authenticity, realism, to the point, in a playful way, and for a limited group. To me, it felt like a teaching experiment in a language laboratory.”

“I also noticed that - because of the playful approach supported by Roeland – the self-confidence among the participants vastly expands. They discover that they are able to have a conversation with other people, regardless of language skills level. That kind of feeling fuels a giant boost.”

Why the kitchen?

“In everyday life, I occupy myself with language. I teach French at a secondary school in Antwerp, I train aspiring college teachers and I teach workshops for experienced teachers. Didactics is my passion, but after an entire year in a school environment, my brain needs something else when on vacation.”

“During my first 16 years with Roeland I was a Head of Didactics. I also wrote several courses that were in use for quiet some time. But a couple of years ago I wanted to change lanes. Luc Wullaert, a chef, asked me if I would have liked to help him out in the kitchen. And that is what I am doing for 8 years now, and I like it very much. I stay connected to the youngsters and the camp life, and the kitchen rhythm somehow suits me perfectly.”

Dare to speak

“Being a teacher, standing before a classroom: it was my life. But I myself am familiar with the pathway of the non-native speaker. I live in the Flanders region for twenty years now, which means I had to learn Dutch. That personal experience has strongly influenced my teaching method. I still remember how it felt to search for the correct words, to be afraid of making a mistake, to misunderstand a joke, … Learning a new language does not happen solely within a classroom, it happens spontaneously, by communicating with other people.”

“The biggest advantage of Roeland: French in context. Participants arrive often with a fear to fail. At school, making mistakes leads to bad grades, but here we approach a mistake as an opportunity. There is no way you can learn how to play the piano without striking a couple of false notes, so why should learning a language be any different? The most beautiful moments happen when the pressure of success crumbles away and the participants fearlessly start to make conversation, just because they want to share a story.”

Beautiful moments and kind memories

“With Roeland, I had the privilege of experiencing something special. People believed in my talents, even before I did so myself. They spotted my abilities and offered the opportunity to develop these talents. I was lucky to have met the right people. Without Roeland, I would not have been in life where I am now. The non-profit organisation aided in furthering my professional life.”