Jon who now lives in France reveals the surprise of winning the award and shares his experiences of study with the OU, work abroad and offers advice on learning a foreign language.
Winning the prize of £150
It was with delight that I opened an OU letter in early January and discovered that, far from being the expected circular, it brought altogether different news. More wonderful is the knowledge that some families in our midst are generous enough to offer total strangers the chance to compete for such an award and the chance, at the same time, to remember Mathena Kerr Ross. Such prizes are life-affirming and inspiring to us all.
How I came to study with the OU
Physics had been my worst subject at school - although there were plenty of other contenders, like French, ironically enough. One of my fellow menials had just started a PhD course at Birmingham on the strength of gaining a First at the OU. Looking back, his shining example was the first step along my own OU path.
My next career phase was in journalism, where I ended up editing a science and science fiction magazine but my OU course began in 1993, starting with Foundation Science and progressing to Biology, Psychology and Earth Sciences ... then, after a few gap years, veering off to Classics and Shakespeare. This last, AA306, has to be one of the best.
Review of AA306 Shakespeare: text and performance
Before starting the course, I thought I already knew a fair bit about Shakespeare. I’d seen and read nearly all of the plays, including some at the very fringes of the canon.
I advise you approach it afresh (i.e. without necessarily having done much prior reading, and with mind, ears and eyes fully open to new ideas). The course introduces you to what is probably some of the most interesting and thought-provoking criticism of the last twenty years or so. A lot of people might consider Shakespeare an almost fossilised area of study when compared to, say, astronomy, but it’s probably fair to say that attitudes to Shakespeare have changed as much since the 80s as have ways of thinking about black holes.
My new life in France is very leisurely but provides plenty of scope to reconnect with my previous career in journalism. I’ve recently joined a local (English-speaking) radio group and lend a hand at a local cinema which helps me get up to date with French film. All of these activities are voluntary and, for me, doing the work is its own reward.
Working abroad and speaking the language
The new roles are actually conducted in English, not French. There are lots of English people in Brittany, and there is even an organisation to help with integration which is based in the village near to where I live. But true integration comes with proficiency in the local language and, unfortunately, it’s all too easy to get by without a good grasp of French. My own French is far from adequate at the moment, malheureusement.
Advice for those seeking employment in France or overseas
For those seeking employment, and with sufficient motivation and energy, there are government-sponsored schemes which try to find work for people. Job-seekers are given (free) French lessons which, depending on age, can be quite intensive. Younger people are considered to have the best chance of finding employment and are given the most help acquiring that all-important French language.
However, anyone thinking of relocating and working abroad would probably be well advised to try and become a competent speaker of the local language before arrival, as learning does not take place simply by being there. There are too many English newspapers, television channels and English speakers for that to happen automatically.
Despite having taken an intensive French language course, joined a French-conversation class, tried numerous audio courses and having a couple of hours of lessons per week, I’m beginning to regret not having taken an OU course in French! Like many others, I find that the OU actually works well for me and, given a little determination on our part, the courses are almost guaranteed to succeed where others might fail.
Find out more:
- Study AA306 Shakespeare: text and performance
- Study French with the OU
- Leaving a Gift to The Open University
- The Marthena Kerr award and previous winner
