Joelle Guillon

I studied French and German at Macquarie University in Sydney and also studied for my Diploma of Education. I graduated in 1977 and started teaching French and German in Blacktown in Sydney in 1978. I was a member of the Language Teachers’ Association and was also involved with activities at the Sydney Branch of the Alliance Française. I returned to Macquarie University to study Italian.

I moved to Queensland in 1985 and started my teaching career at Cleveland State High. I taught French and German to Grades 8-12. I started Japanese studies in 1989 and developed the language program at Cleveland State High.

I became a member of the French District Panel and have been an active member of the Modern Language Teachers’ Association.

I was the recipient of a scholarship to study at the CIEP in Sévres (Paris) and Manosque to further develop language and pedagogical skills.

In 1995, I became involved with the Bayside Primary LOTE program and taught at various schools in the Wynnum Region.

I returned to High School teaching in 1999 at Wynnum State High. I encouraged my students to develop their language skills further by entering the MLTAQ and Alliance Française competitions.

I have been an active member of the Alliance Française for many years and have been a Committee member for five years. I am also on the committee of the MLTAQ French Teacher’s Branch and can therefore liaise between these two associations easily. I am still a member of the French District Panel and am involved with the development of the French Senior and Junior programmes.

I have been instrumental in starting French classes for adults at Wynnum State High. These are run by the Alliance Française de Brisbane, thereby enabling the Alliance to extend its teaching program as well as developing an interest within the Wynnum Community. I have been asked to teach one of the classes at Wynnum SHS next term as this program has proven to be successful in the local community.

I believe that I have been able to promote and encourage the study of the French language. I have presented workshops for teachers at the MLTAQ conference and at the Stage à la Plage, organized by the Alliance de Brisbane. I also promote various cultural activities throughout the year.

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