EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING AS A TOOL IN FRENCH PEDAGOGY

Traditional teaching and training is mainly transfer of knowledge, but this does not include individual student's progress and explore their potential really well. This is because traditional method of teaching a foreign language usually looks at what the student needs to learn, and the best way in which they can learn it. Experiential learning is a powerful way to address individual growth and potential, for people of all ages. It is more suited to individual styles, preferences, strengths, directions, etc. This paper highlights the historical background of experiential learning, it's effectiveness in teaching foreign languages, how it emerged, and how well it has blended with French language Pedagogy. This paper on Experiential learning is aimed at identifying the concepts of experiential learning, the models of experiential learning, the experiential learning cycle, its principles and benefits for French language students particularly from the middle school. Since we are moving from traditional teaching towards Student centered learning, can reflection be an important aspect of teaching-learning process for both students and teachers? Also, in the Indian context, Experiential Education flips the role of a teacher and a student! A teacher becomes a learner too and the student will 'lead' the process of learning. Are our Indian schools ready for this? How do we decide which method of experiential learning will work best?