French 300 Brings Ecology Lessons to Life

Learning a language isn't simply about learning words and understanding their meanings. In fact, that's only the beginning.

This spring, Donna Canada-Smith's French 300 class has been reading L’homme qui plantait des arbres by Jean Giono, a classic tale about a shepherd who transforms a depleted desert into a lush landscape brimming with life. However, she didn't just want her students to read about the importance of preserving natural ecosystems in France and around the world; she wanted students to have a hands-on experience in protecting these spaces. Canada-Smith and her students made their way from Steele Hall to the Kohler Environmental Center, where they planted hazelnuts and pawpaws, a species of small deciduous tree.

"While the text has many great lessons embedded in its storyline, the opportunity to have class with Joe and Lena at the KEC is invaluable as it allows students to understand how ecosystems work, the importance of trees and how they help bring life to the surrounding areas, and to comprehend their own environment," the French and Spanish teacher explained. "While at the KEC, students had the opportunity to plant pawpaws and hazelnuts and learn about how these plants affect the environment in Connecticut."

Planting trees after reading L’homme qui plantait des arbres is par for the course in French 300. The course includes a unit dedicated to eco-citizenship. In addition to standard coursework and class discussions, Canada-Smith's students are required to produce a video campaign to raise awareness of and provide solutions for environmental issues across various francophone regions. Canada-Smith, who has a deep background in interdisciplinary education and garden and landscape studies, finds it imperative that students learn in a multidimensional environment that connects the classroom to the world around them.

"Part of the Choate Language Department’s Mission Statement is to teach 'a sense of linguistic and cultural curiosity.' In reading the text L’homme qui plantait des arbres, students are engaging with authentic sources about real-world problems," she explained. "As part of a growing awareness about environmental issues, it is critical that students are able to translate their learning to engage with the world around them. While students may be learning the language, we are also teaching them to think critically and to see how their studies in our courses can be applied to mathematics, social studies, sciences, and the arts."

The class will continue to explore the many ways in which language and culture impact their lives and those of others. The course also includes a unit about the intersection of language and art. Later this term, the French 300 class will have the opportunity to visit the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, Conn. There, students will be treated to a guided tour of the museum's vast art collection.