Presenting my research to an audience, whether it is in front of eighty people in a cultural association or fifteen or so researchers from master’s level to university lecturer, it is a challenging experience I’ve had several times. Whether I speak French or English, I enjoy the challenge of giving a talk. For me, it’s a question of measuring where I am in my thinking and proposing an assessment in real time, sharing hypotheses, and opening a discussion. But what about the experience of teaching, which turns out to be another form of intervention?
At no point during my four years of thesis did I plan to teach or even supervise hands-on courses (= travaux dirigés, in France). Although my supervisor in France always left the door open to this possibility, I didn’t see how it was going to be of any use to me, since I decided not to take competitive exams… But as you’re in Luxembourg, you may have other options that you hadn’t thought of! Exactly! And that’s where Thomas came in!
About a year ago, he suggested two course topics. The one entitled “Podcasting the past” caught my interest straight away! So, I went back to the drawing board. Weighing up the pros and cons. How long would it take me? Being a PhD student with funding, time is becoming an obsession. Will I really contribute something? Will we make a good team in this co-teaching? Will I know how to position myself? Is my English good enough to talk to students on a specific course?
I didn’t get rid of all my doubts by saying yes. The question of shyness or legitimacy remains, but the possibility of trusting and taking the plunge in a comfortable setting is a challenge I wanted to meet.
Gazengel cooks and tells Benziglout about her first teaching experience at the University of Luxembourg.
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Gazengel – Passion for comics
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Gazengel – Homepage
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Gazengel – Ooooh Tropy!