One year ago, I decided to apply as a volunteer for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. I knew it would be a unique chance that I would remember forever. As a French teacher, volunteering for such a big event is amazing, but I didn’t realize how much it would change my view on teaching French. I’m excited. Why? Let me explain.

Version française ici.




Multiculturalism at the Heart of the Games

The Olympic Games bring together people from all over the world. From the start, I was impressed by the rich exchanges between volunteers, athletes, and spectators. As a teacher, I am used to working with students from different countries, but experiencing this diversity daily during the Games helped me see how important intercultural communication is. One of the best parts of volunteering was meeting so many different people. I knew we would have intercultural meetings, thanks to my 5 years working at Disneyland Paris, but I didn’t expect these interactions to be so impactful.


Working in the Mixed Zone

My role as a volunteer in the mixed zone, where journalists meet athletes after their performances, was challenging but very rewarding. This job needed quick and clear communication to make sure everything went smoothly. Our diverse team made sure that all participants, whether they spoke English, French, or another language, felt understood and supported. We were there for the athletes and especially for the journalists, helping with translation and interpretation (French-English-Japanese-Chinese-Serbo-Croatian, etc.). This variety of languages was priceless to me, and I can’t find the right words to describe how I felt.

This experience showed me that communication is not just a practical tool but also a way to build human connections. In this zone—between the stress of competitions and the media’s expectations—we helped make interactions smoother and offered emotional support to athletes. Sometimes, a simple smile was enough to encourage them.

My greatest pride was when a Serbian athlete saw my accreditation, realized I was Serbian, and came to shake my hand.


The Role of the Volunteer

As a volunteer at the Olympics, my role went beyond simple tasks. I felt like I created connections between athletes and journalists, and among us volunteers. We were like a language chain. What a comparison Alek!


This responsibility made me realize the importance of patience, listening, and adaptability. Being able to understand and adjust to new and unexpected situations is a valuable skill. When I first arrived in the work zone, I felt lost and alone, like new learners arriving in France for the first time. But, like my colleagues, I soon felt at home as we were all in the same situation. Getting to know each other and realizing we were all in the same boat was wonderful.


United by Different Languages

In my team, there were 8 volunteers and 4 staff members from different nationalities: German, English, Serbian, Bosnian-Croatian, Chinese, and more. We had so much cultural diversity but shared the same goal: to make the Games the best they could be. We communicated in English, but most of us also spoke French. I really appreciated that we spoke in English to make sure everyone understood, without making language rules a big issue.


A New Perspective on Teaching

Being a volunteer gave me a new perspective on my job. I learned that teaching languages is more than just grammar rules and vocabulary. It’s also about bringing cultures together and helping people understand each other better. It made me want to include more about cultures in my lessons because they have a lot to teach us. As teachers, we can also learn from our students, who have their own stories to share. This shows how languages can connect people and create wonderful bonds.



So !!!

Volunteering at the Olympics was much more than just a task; it was an unforgettable experience. I met amazing people and saw how linguistic and cultural diversity can be a real strength. The friendships I made, the languages we shared, and the solidarity we built will stay with me, enriching both my professional and personal life.

*Thank you to the reviewers who helped me make this article the best it could be.