Florent Agier, Middle School World Language
Source/Author: Faculty Spotlight
August 05, 2014
What middle schooler wouldn’t enjoy a class in which you get to play the role of a werewolf? Florent Agier uses the French game The Werewolves of Miller’s Hollow to facilitate learning in his fifth through eighth grade French classes. The game is so popular, it has found its way into his eighth grade Latin classes as well.
“My Latin students heard about it and were kind of jealous, so I had to let them play every once in a while, in English, since it is difficult to ‘communicate’ in Latin,” he explains. “I use it as an incentive…if they work well all week, I let them play one round on Friday. Obviously the game has more pedagogical value when done in the target language, but for my Latin students, at least it motivates them to work hard!”
A teacher for 11 years, the French native is in his second year at Shorecrest. He studied English, German and Latin in middle school and Russian in college; and obtained his degree from Lumiere University Lyon 2. Next stop – New York City.
“I had always been attracted to America, so I moved to New York City for a year, where I tried to survive waiting tables and tutoring people in French. Then I decided to go back to France to take French as a Second Language to be more competitive in the American market.”
He taught high school French in Macedonia for a year before returning to the U.S. and a job teaching French, physical education and art in Louisiana for five years. “I always wanted to return to the U.S. as I have always been drawn to the mix of cultures. I was also seduced by the American positive way of thinking.”
At Shorecrest, he tweaks his approach to make language interesting to students ranging in age from 10 to 14. Everyone loves the game that pits werewolves against villagers, but he adds that French cooking and baking lessons also work well with eighth graders. They’ve successfully followed French instructions to produce truffles and an Epiphany cake.
“I really like the fifth, sixth and seventh graders and their enthusiasm and excitement,” he says. “Eighth grade is a little more challenging. They start to believe they know everything and they’re very sensitive. They require more patience.”
Although Latin is more of a challenge because it's not spoken, Agier still finds innovative ways to bring the language to life. “In December, we celebrated Saturnalia, an ancient Roman holiday that was a precursor to Christmas. We wore togas and had a banquet with only food that could be eaten in Rome at that time. I always try to make learning fun and interactive. The goal is for the students to be motivated, and if it’s not fun, they won’t be motivated.”
