[INTERVIEW] French lecturer: ‘I want to inspire my students’

 Mrs Juliana Nikio is a French lecturer at Wisconsin. She is one of those teachers who has taught all the students at school. No one is able to escape her French courses. With a degree in International Relations (UG) she has worked with organizations such as the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation. She is fluent in English, French and Twi. In 2009 she started at Wisconsin and she has come across students with different backgrounds and characters. WizzBuzzBlog found out how she experiences her relationship with the students here.

How would you describe your relationship with students? 

“I see myself as someone who affects the lives of students positively and not just lecturing them. I see them as my brothers and sisters. My main philosophy is to be a source of inspiration to them. My relationship with them is not strictly formal, because that would make it difficult for some students to ask questions.”

What creates a cordial relationship between students and teachers? 

“There are ‘pros and cons’ to every relationship. Students come from different backgrounds that has formed their behaviour. Some students may take you for granted or start to disrespect you if they feel you are not as strict as some other lecturers. With such students there are limits to how far you can take them.”

How do you handle disrespectful students? 

“I try my best to acknowledge that we are all different. Nevertheless, I will do my own part by correcting them and walk them out.” 

Do students approach you to change their grades?

“Yes they do, but I simply tell them there is nothing I can do. Also I advice them to resit.”

Do you favour some students above others? 

“No I do not, I even pay attention to the less attentive students.”

      

Human Interest Desk Reporters: Adomako Ansah Paulina, Annang Beulah, Anthonio Joy, Edeh Catherine