4 things to love about Belgium (and how you can get there for FREE!)
Not only is Belgium an amazing travel destination, teachers may be able to travel for FREE!
In my last blog post, I shared 5 reasons why you should visit Belgium. Adding a Belgium unit to your French class is a wonderful excuse to make yummy chocolate with your French students. (Read about this ever-popular lesson here!)
Of course, travel is expensive… but if you’re a teacher - especially a French teacher - you’re eligible to apply for these Belgium-focused travel grants.
The American Association of Teachers of French Jane Black Goepper Memorial Scholarships
Two $3000 scholarships are awarded each year for French teachers to study in a French speaking country. You must be an AATF member to apply. Learn more and apply here.
The Université de Liège Teacher Scholarship
The Belgian Government in collaboration with the American Association of Teachers of French offers summer scholarships for AATF members to attend the Université de Liège. Learn more about this program and apply at this link
(Not a member of the AATF? You should be! Read this blog post to learn why, and Join the AATF here!)
The Brussels-Lux Study Tour
The European Union, in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh and University of North Carolina offers the Brussels-Lux study tour for US-based K-16 educators in all disciplines. The goal is to introduce American Educators to the European Union and to strengthen relationships between these two entities. I was honored to participate in the tour during summer of 2022 and have several blog posts about my experiences. Click here to apply yourself!
OK, Funding arranged? Grab your passport and head off to what might be my favorite Francophone destination:
4 More Reasons to Love Belgium
Reason #4 to Love Belgium: St. Bavo’s Cathedral in Ghent
St. Bavo’s Cathedral is best known for its altarpiece, “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. This Van Eyk masterpiece is a must-see for art history buffs. While you’re there, take time to visit the very well done VR / interactive display showing the eventful history of altarpiece; in the 7 centuries since it was painted, it has been dismantled and sold in separate panels, painted over, sawn in half, hidden, stolen, captured by both French and German invaders, sold, pawned, written about, exhibited in museums, and finally reassembled and restored (all but the bottom left panel which is still missing. You can read about the theory of its whereabouts here. A replica is on display St. Bavo’s Cathedral today.) And click on this link to learn more about visiting St. Bavo’s.
After being damaged in WWII, some stained glass in St. Bavo’s Cathedral was replaced with modern style.
Art lovers should not miss Van Eyk’s “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb”
Reason #3 to Love Belgium: Ghent Scenery
After visiting St. Bavo’s, enjoy strolling through picturesque Ghent. Take a cruise on the serene canals, tour the fortress and admire the three medieval towers.
Medieval Trade Guild Houses along a canal in Ghent
the Gravensteen, Ghent’s medieval fortress
This is why Ghent is sometimes called “The Venice of the North”
All a short train ride from Brussels!
Reason #2 to Love Belgium: Waffles
Whether you are a traditionalist or prefer the sweeter, crunchy Liège Waffle, Belgian Waffles are famous for a reason! The omnipresent street food are the perfect breakfast, snack, or dessert.
I couldn’t resist taking a bit of this warm, delicious Liège waffle!
A traditional chocolate strawberry waffle with cafe au lait. Yum!
I love sharing an authentic Belgian waffle menu to help my students discover the French vocabulary for breakfast food. Here’s a link to the lesson! Of course, we have to make waffles in class as part of this lesson! Visit this blog post for some tips on cooking waffles with your kids.
Reason #1 to Love Belgium: Multilingualism
As the seat of the European Union and with three official languages, Belgium is truly a multilingual society.
On a visit to the European School of Belgium IV, students learn, speak, and play every day in several languages. The school includes language sections in 8 languages including French, English, and German. Primary school (up to age 8) is focused on basic literacy in students’ first language and oral foundations in L2. Beginning in 3rd grade, students start working on literacy skills in their chosen L2. I was most impressed by the elementary school library with books available to students in 10 languages. The multilingual librarians are always looking for ways to enhance each language section in their collection.
Flags denote each language section in the multilingual school library of the European School of Belgium IV
I was most honored when librarian Stéphanie P. generously took me on a personal shopping trip to her favorite bookstores and helped me select new French titles for my classroom library. My students have really enjoyed the updated, high-interest collection! Mille fois merci, Stéphanie!
Read more about the mission and vision of the European School on their website. And to learn more about multilingualism in the EU, read my blog post about the fascinating job of EU interpreter.
The EU commission Headquarters, Brussels Belgium
Visiting Belgium deepened my understanding of history and art, helped me better understand the EU, and gave me a lot of interesting ideas to bring back to my students. Oh, and when I got home, I dusted off my bicycle (gotta work off all that chocolate!)
Bruxelles, je t’aime!
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