February 12, 2025 – For third-grade students at Ecole Kenwood French Immersion, the world feels a little more connected. In celebration of Francophone Month, students bridged continents through a Zoom call with students in Cameroon. Excited students gathered to engage in a vibrant cultural exchange that turned language learning into a real-world connection.
“Events like this create such a sense of excitement and pride for the staff and students in CCS's Immersion Pathway Program,” said Columbus City Schools Immersion Coordinator Dr. Amye R. Sukapdjo. “The Immersion Pathways provides students with incredibly rich academic, linguistic, and cultural educational experiences.”
For students at Ecole Kenwood, learning French goes beyond spoken word and grammar. They acquire the language naturally while exploring the cultures that speak it. Ecole Kenwood teacher Isabelle Cadenel embraces the challenge of finding authentic ways to bring the language to life.
“In a French Immersion classroom, students simultaneously learn a new language while mastering academic subjects in a dynamic and engaging learning environment,” Cadenel said. “One of the greatest challenges for an immersion teacher is finding opportunities for students to have authentic experiences with the language.”
Thanks to a unique personal connection, Ecole Kenwood students could meet and speak with students in a village in eastern Cameroon. Cadenel’s son, Preston Thomas, is a former Ecole Kenwood student and Ohio State University graduate. Thomas currently serves as a Peace Corps volunteer in the country and teaches math to middle schoolers. Thomas' presence made this international classroom connection possible.
In Columbus and Cameroon, students logged in and greeted each other in their shared language, French. Students filled the 90-minute call with curiosity, laughter, and the excitement of discovering key similarities and differences on both sides of the phone.
“We spent a month studying Cameroon in preparation for this cultural exchange,” Cadenel said. “As we explored the country, my students came up with thoughtful questions I couldn’t answer: ‘What pets do children in Cameroon have? Do they travel a lot? What subjects do they study in school?’ and more.”
The students took turns asking and answering questions, comparing everything from school subjects to daily routines. Some differences students found were that Cameroonian students walk or ride motorcycles to school. While Columbus students commute to school by either bus or car. Students were perplexed to hear of new foods, activities, and traditions in Cameroon.
“As a teacher, this is the reason I do what I do every single day,” Cadenel said. “To witness students' engagement and understanding for the world around them, those moments when they realize that despite differences, there are powerful commonalities. Discovering that ‘other’s way of life is different but just as enriching as ours’ are lessons that transcend textbooks.”
The biggest lesson wasn’t found in the differences but in the similarities. Both groups of students enjoyed talking about their favorite colors, video games, and pets. Both groups shared a love for soccer and Christmas, though the students in Cameroon introduced their American peers to “La Fête de la Jeunesse,” a national youth celebration in February.
When asked if they liked where they lived, the Cameroonian students answered proudly, “Yes, we were born here, and it is the place of our ancestors.”
For the students of Room 193, this was more than a lesson—it was a moment of global connection that will stay with them far beyond the classroom.
“The classroom interactions are an example of the amazing opportunities that highlight the global, cultural, and linguistic competency skills gained in the immersion school setting,” Dr. Sukapdjo emphasized.
Francophone Month at Ecole Kenwood is more than about studying French-speaking countries—it’s about fostering understanding, empathy, and an appreciation for our diverse world. Thanks to modern technology and a shared commitment to learning, students in Columbus and Cameroon made connections that will last a lifetime.
