Published
Video length: 3 mins.
Article written by
Rachid Santaki goes to meet teenagers, in Evreux, to prepare them for an exercise that some of them dread: dictation. Excerpt from the magazine “‘1:15 p.m. on Saturday’. Monsieur dictée”, broadcast on April 15, 2023.
Rachid Santaki, passionate about the language of Molière, has to his credit more than 500 giant dictations that he has been organizing for more than ten years now. His little ritual: reassuring the troops before the exercise that many dread. This time, the educator goes to a college in Evreux to prepare the students for the practice, which this time will take place in a large theater in the city.
An exercise that does not please Sadia, in fifth grade. She admits that she does not like to write. Same story when the question is asked to Ahmed, in CM2 class. He admits that he doesn’t really like spelling. Others, on the other hand, are rather confident.
“hippopotomomonstrocesquipedaliophobia“
“When the teacher starts to read certain words, there are words that we don’t understand. I try to write them well, because that gives extra points, but sometimes I cry about it”, recognizes a young girl. Apprehensions against which the enthusiast of the French language wants to fight. Rachid has a very specific exercise: he shows the students the word “hippopotomomonstrocesquipedaliophobia”. Faced with stunned looks, he admits that this word does not exist. A process that aims to illustrate the fear of long words to better deconstruct it.
“My job is to build dictations. When you don’t like dictation, I tell you from experience, it’s because you’re afraid of a bad grade. It’s going to take away from my average. That can be uncomfortable to think that I have difficulties, explains Rachid to the teenagers. As long as you look for the reason for your mistake and work, you will progress.”
Extract from “Monsieur Dictée”, published in the magazine “1:15 p.m. on Saturday”, April 15, 2023.
> Replays of France Télévisions news magazines are available on the Franceinfo website and its mobile application (iOS & Android), “Magazines” section.
View comments