A Passion for French & Language Arts: Meet Mr. Foran
Mr. Foran leads our French & Language Arts programs at Lakecrest.
This blog is part of a series featuring our teaching faculty.
A true Franco-Terreneuvien
Born to Newfoundland parents in 1985, Jeff Foran grew up in Saint John, New Brunswick, and Vancouver, British Columbia. Growing up, Mr. Foran was enrolled in French schools in Vancouver before making the move to St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. Upon his move to the province in 1995, he continued developing his French skills in a local French immersion school. To this day he identifies as a Franco-Terreneuvien.
Most recently, Mr. Foran was awarded the Arts and Letters Award for Senior French literature in both 2017 & 2019. Musically inclined, each year Mr. Foran releases an album to the RPM challenge that takes place each year during the month of February. His written and recorded music can be found here.
Fun, Amusing & Easy-going
Mr. Foran has a passion for education, specifically French and Language Arts. His warm and caring nature means he encourages all his students to discover their passion for learning and knowledge. He works to create a stimulating, open, and encouraging classroom environment, capable of adapting to the varied needs of his students. Applying International Baccalaureate teaching methods, Mr. Foran works tirelessly to ensure his students achieve their full potential.
A passion for educating youth
Mr. Foran first discovered his passion for teaching after working with Parks Canada and the Brother Brennan Environmental Education Center. Both positions provided him with the opportunity to engage visitors in a novel experience such as their first campfire, their first time hiking, or the first time they admired the stillness of the water on a windless day.
“I realized that to teach is not just to show, but to encourage inquiry.”
Let’s get to know Mr. Foran
What is your teaching philosophy and how do you inspire your students to learn French?
Students often come to a second language class with the notion that they don’t speak the language and therefore can’t perform. My job is to convince them that they will and can learn the language. To get my students to be open and engage with their new learning, I use a bit of humour, play, and games. This makes kids forget about what they can’t do, have fun, and learn French!
Given Lakecrest’s small class sizes, a Lakecrest education is tailored such that each student can receive personalized instruction from our educators.
Why did you want to teach French & Language Arts at Lakecrest?
During my interview, I had a great discussion with informed administrators about all the important issues in education. I had never had that experience before in my previous 10 years of teaching. This school doesn’t just teach a curriculum, it teaches people. I wanted to be a part of that.
What’s your favorite thing about your current role in teaching French and Language Arts?
The best part of teaching French at Lakecrest is how earnestly my students treat the material. A second language can be a struggle for some learners, and it can be easy to give up after hitting a barrier. These students don’t give up! Lakecrest students have a tenacity that I admire and that enables them to succeed even when they have difficulties. In Language Arts, I would have to say the aspect I enjoy the most is the ability to have honest conversations with my students. The manner in which we can engage in debate enables us to fully explore such a wide berth of topics.
How do you connect your lessons with the real world?
In my mind, the best way to connect lessons to the greater world is to bring those community members with whatever experience we’re seeking into the class. Just recently we invited local author Melissa Barbeau to speak about her novel The Luminous Sea which the grade 8 class read this year. Often, my teaching is informed by the real-life experiences of my students; their travels and their diverse families.
BONUS QUESTION: Since you are an outdoorsman, what do you enjoy doing the most on a hot summer day?
I love to spend time outside. I love foraging wild foods (berries, nettles, other weird plant things). I like to bike and spend time hanging out in the sun with my beautiful partner Amy. This year I’ll be camping and getting out in the ocean as much as I can. Picnics! Swimming! All the fun!
To get in contact with Mr. Foran to discuss our French & Language Arts program he can be reached by email at jforan@lakecrest.ca.
Want to know more? Click here to book a school tour with our Head of School, Mr. Patrick Boekhoud.
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