My name is Madame MacKenzie-Murray. This is my twenty-third year teaching French as a second language at the elementary level. I am married with 2 children. My husband's name is 'Bill Murray' (not the Hollywood one). We have a daughter, Calla who is 10 and a son, Luke, who is 8. I enjoy traveling, skiing, gardening, walking, kayaking and spending time with my family. Bill loves windsurfing .... I'm trying to learn but I'm quite a beginner at it. At the moment Bill is living in Goosebay, Labrador. He is doing an apprenticeship in aircraft maintenance which is a 2 year commitment away from home. He works on helicopters with Canadian Helicopters Limited. So that means I’m a single parent for now and I understand how busy life can be managing work and home as the only parent in the home. I live in Dartmouth but grew up very English in Cape Breton. I have been learning French since grade primary myself so I know how difficult it can be but also how enriching it is to speak and understand a second language. Second language learning enables one to be more open to other cultures and to appreciate the differences as well as the similarities we encounter when we meet others from a different culture or background.

I really enjoy teaching French and believe students will be able to learn to speak French with a basic fluency level by the end of grade six. I have recently discovered a new method of teaching French with the use of gestures. I am amazed at how well the students can use and understand French in class in a relatively short period of time using this method. In all my years of teaching at this level, I have never seen such a high level of fluency with my students and so quickly too. The students develop a greater feeling of competence and self confidence with the language that it is not difficult to ensure that they only speak French in class. They have the skills early on to communicate their needs in French. The name of this program is called AIM language learning and it is a completely different way of teaching French. For more information on this method click on http://aimlanguagelearning.com.

 Feel free to browse the site for lots of different games and useful links. I also try to keep you up to date on what's happening in class each month. I hope you'll encourage your child to continue to use this site and also practise the vocabulary words and/or the play. Consistent practice will help him/her to attain better fluency in the language and ensure success and confidence in class.

Remember : students can purchase a DVD for regular practice at home or they can borrow one the library for occasional practice.

Thank-you for supporting our French program and ultimately your child's success in the French language.

Madame MacKenzie-Murray                             

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