Mobile library-classroom brings unique approach to children’s French learning

After 19 years of full-time teaching, French teacher Nathalie Paris decided to set up her own French language enterprise in 2014. At the centre of her business is a mobile library-cum-classroom, called “le Bibliobook”, which features 2,000 French children’s books, a puppet theatre and a range of French toys and games. Nathalie takes her unique brand of French teaching to schools in England’s north-east.

I spoke to Nathalie about how she got into this work, what is her motivation and how the children respond.

Nathalie with her mobile library-classroom, le Bibliobook.

Tell me about your mobile library-classroom?

It’s a 7 ½ ton mobile library bus that originally served with a council in Wales. I fitted it out so that it would be an attractive space for children. There are cushions for the floor and natural light comes in through large skylight windows. It is big enough to host a class of up to 30 pupils.   

I drive le Bibliobook bus to kindergartens, primary schools and sometimes secondary schools in the north-east of England.

The bus also holds around 2,000 children’s books, the majority in French, although there are a few in German and Spanish. I read stories to the children and deliver associated learning activities. The bus is equipped with things significant in French culture including toys, games, craft activities and clothing. For example, a child can dress up as Asterix, the famous French cartoon character. A puppet theatre provides the opportunity for children to practice their French through performance art.

Le Bibliobook bus is home to 2,000 children's book, most of them in French.

How do children respond?

The children are so happy to see me. We have classes once a week, so it is a novelty for them to be in French class. Children love books and stories – it makes them happy. Many children have never seen a mobile library before, so when they visit my library bus, there is always at least one child that wants to live there! That’s my favourite part.  

One of my teaching tools is a cute cuddly toy called Mini Miss Paris. Whenever I return to France I take Mini Miss Paris with me, snapping photos of her doing cultural activities and visiting tourist sites. I use the photos in my classes together with reading activities. The children get so excited and want to know all about her adventures in France. They completely forget that I was there with Mini Miss Paris.

Nathalie leads a story-telling session with children on le Bibliobook bus.

What led you to set up your business?

I was a secondary school French teacher for 19 years. I also did primary school teaching for 12 of those years, which I liked a lot. I got tired of the exam culture at secondary school, where the focus was on preparing pupils for exams rather than on teaching French. When in 2014, languages became a compulsory part of the primary school curriculum, I saw an opportunity to combine my passion for primary teaching with my own business. The business involves not only teaching French to children, but also advising teachers on how best to use story books in their classroom.

How did you come up with the idea of a mobile library-classroom?

I love books and reading stories. I had lots of French children’s books at home, many of them bought by my French parents for my children. I still had my old books, which my mum had stored away. I really love books and I wanted to share them with others. When I told a friend about this mad idea I had of setting up a library, she suggested that I open a mobile library. That’s when I started looking for a bus. I stocked it with additional books I bought at markets and car boot sales in France.  

How do you find running your own business?

There’s a lot of support for businesses in my area, so I have never felt like I was by myself.

What do you like most about your job?

There are several things. I enjoy not having the pressures associated with full-time teaching at a school. It’s good to have a commute that’s out of the ordinary and I like having some flexibility in my schedule. This work also brings variety. I still teach part-time in three schools and I love the sense of community that this provides.

You are originally from France. What brought you to England?

I studied English as a teenager and came to England as a French language assistant. After a year, my contract was extended and following that I did my teacher training studies here.

What are your upcoming plans?

I’m looking at cataloguing all of the books and making the information available online. I’m also testing the waters by teaching in communities outside the school environment.

Read more on Nathalie’s website: http://nattalingo.co.uk/