Knighted

For more than two decades, Shelley Wong has quietly but decisively shaped the teaching of French in Jamaica. Her commitment to rigour in the classroom, openness to innovation and sustained focus on student achievement have now been recognised with a French national distinction: appointment as a Knight in the Order of the Palmes Académiques.

Established by Napoleon in 1808, the Palmes Académiques is among France’s oldest civilian honours. It is awarded for distinguished contributions to education, culture, and intellectual life, including teaching, research, and the promotion of the French language and culture abroad.

“I count it an exceedingly great honour and privilege in my life to have been conferred with this distinction. It feels almost surreal,” Wong said. “I stared at the email and reread it just to make sure that it was realm … It was a moment of pure joy and excitement.”

Her path into education was less the result of deliberate planning than what she describes as providence.

“Teaching found me. Through a set of what I now see as divinely ordained circumstances, I entered the profession and found that I really enjoyed interacting with and shaping young people,” she said.

After beginning her career at Ardenne High School, Wong joined St George’s College in 2003. There, early nerves gave way to a clear sense of purpose, one that continues to inform her student-centred approach.

“I was quite young … and so nervous that the chalk crumbled in my hand while I was writing on the blackboard, but I knew I wanted to make learning French exciting and meaningful for my students,” she said.

MEASURABLE GAINS

In 2009, Wong assumed leadership of the Foreign Languages Department. The results were striking. French pass rates among her students rose from 33 per cent to 100 per cent.

The improvement, she said, came from careful study rather than chance. “After experiencing the 33 per cent pass rate with my first set of CSEC students, I began to diligently study the exam format and requirements,” she explained. “I targeted areas of weakness and ensured that how I was teaching the language was aligned with how my students learn.”

Technical preparation was paired with attention to mindset. “I planted in their minds that they were capable of making the top 10 lists nationally and regionally… and that they should set the bar high for themselves,” she said.

One of her most notable achievements has been the introduction of the DELF Diploma (Diplôme d’études en langue française) at St George’s College. Since its launch, nearly 320 students have earned the internationally recognised qualification, with a 97 per cent success rate.

“It is proof that they can read, write, listen to and speak French based on rigorous, international standards. Of significance is that the exams have no English, everything is done in French,” she said.

The programme has also widened access. “Some excellent students are unable to continue French beyond third form due to timetabling, so this gives them an international certification early in their journey,” Wong added.

“No other school in Jamaica, and possibly in the region, has this track record,” she said.

Her influence extends beyond the school gates. As a member of the Jamaica Association of French Teachers and a CXC examiner, Wong helps shape curricula and standards across Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

“It is important to have a seat at the table. You become part of the broader conversation and can contribute to the development of the subject in keeping with trends and the needs of our learners,” she said.

LIFE SKILL

At the heart of her approach is a conviction that teaching begins with relationships. “You teach students firstly and then your subject area. You must transmit your passion to the students,” she said.

Relevance, she believes, is essential to language learning. “Students must see how learning French connects to real life. You tap into their interests and use the language as a vehicle,” she added.

Professional growth, she insists, is ongoing. “In the classroom, you must be the lead learner. I study my students and their world, and I learn from them, too,” she said.

Wong is also candid about the challenges facing foreign-language education, particularly the difficulty of retaining trained teachers. “We must address the serious issue of teacher retention. It continues to negatively impact more schools being able to offer French,” she said.

Still, she remains confident about the language’s relevance. “French has been ranked among the most spoken and most learned languages in the world. Knowledge of another language is no longer a luxury. It is a requirement in our global village,” she said.

Her advice to students is practical and grounded in experience. “See French as a life skill not just an academic subject. Practise speaking, engage with cultural activities, and use the many resources available to you,” she said.

To fellow educators, her message is firm and personal: “Be passionate. Continue to hone your craft. Be a lifelong learner. Study your students. Network with colleagues. Strive for excellence for your students and for yourself. Never give up.”

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com