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Meet Sophie VANWYNSBERGHE, Professor of French as a Foreign Language on the Lille campus.

Through our “Faculty in the Spotlight” series, each month we introduce you to one of IÉSEG‘s professors who talks about their teaching methods, their commitment and anecdotes from their time at the School so far.

Sophie, can you tell us about your background?

I had always wanted to work in education or with children. For many years, I was a group leader and director of summer camps for kids, and I think this reinforced my desire to transmit knowledge and guide people, especially children.

Originally from Lille, where I grew up, studied and began my career, I’m a true “product of the North!” After my baccalauréat in literature, I went on to study English literature and civilization, with the ambition of becoming an English teacher in the national education system. I then moved to England, where I worked for a year as a French teaching assistant in an English school. I also taught in an association for secondary school students, as well as adults. I also worked for many years in Wasquehal and Roncq, for an English teaching program.

You joined IÉSEG in 2011…

Indeed, I specialized in teaching FLE (French as a Foreign Language), and in 2011, I joined IÉSEG and gave my first course. I started teaching one class, then two, then three… one thing led to another, and I took on more and more responsibility. Today, after 14 years at the School, I can see how much it has grown and evolved since then.

What do you particularly like about your job?

What I love about my job is sharing with others, bouncing back and adapting. Every group of students is different, so you have to reassess and change your strategy when something isn’t working, and above all commit yourself fully to get the students engaged in return. I adopt a playful approach with varied, interactive activities. In class, we move around, move tables, work in small groups, sometimes even in a circle. I use games a lot to encourage learning, such as memory games using cards (like the Memory), or the Chinese whispers game to work on numbers. I also do creative dictations where students have to leave the classroom, read, memorize the words, then return to dictate to others. We also do a lot of role-playing activities to simulate various situations: a conversation on the phone, a meeting in a restaurant, or even a job interview.

In my opinion, learning is all about fun and active participation. During day trips, such as the visit to the Maison du Nougat in La Madeleine, students learn as much about French culture as they do about the language itself. FLE courses are not just about learning a language, they’re also about understanding a whole culture. It’s also an opportunity for them to discover a French company.

How has the FLE teaching changed in recent years?

Digital technology has become central to teaching, especially since COVID . Tools like Zoom have somewhat obliged us to innovate, and we’ve discovered new opportunities.

Initially, I was a bit reluctant to embrace AI, but today I recognize its potential to enhance the learning experience. Recently, the CETI (Center for Educational and Technological Innovation) and Marjorie FOX, were able to set up a course on GDPR in virtual reality!

However, I strongly believe that nothing can replace the human touch! In the classroom, I place great importance on interpersonal relationships, direct communication and integrity. Creating a climate of trust and kindness is essential for transmitting IÉSEG’s values and training good managers.

What is teaching FLE to you?

Teaching FLE implies working with an incredible cultural diversity. My classes gather students from all over the world: Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Mexican, Italian, Finn… Each culture brings a different perspective, and students also learn a lot from each other. This diversity also requires a great deal of adaptability, as cultural customs are not the same from a country to another. With some groups, you need to encourage more participation, while with others, you need to channel energy. This work of adjustment is demanding but very rewarding.

What I love most is seeing the students leave the classroom with a smile on their face, satisfied that they’ve learned something new. Teamwork is essential for professors too: exchanging best practices with other colleagues, sharing ideas and helping each other out enables us to progress together. And as we’re all of different nationalities, it also helps us to better understand some of the behavior and cultural conventions in the classroom with the students.

What’s your best memory of your time at IÉSEG so far?

There are two memories that stand out in particular. During one of my FLE classes, Indian and Chinese students saw the snow for the first time in their lives through the window! It was a magical time for them, and it was very touching. We went outside so they could walk in the snow and touch it.

Another very good memory was laughing with my colleagues during intense periods, between corrections and preparing for the next semester… These moments really help to unwind and have fun during difficult times!