Learning implies a great diversity of activities, means, objectives and discourses. To show this, the author interviewed students, teachers, educational and school life personnel, and a maintenance worker. They learn and work in France, in secondary schools, general high schools, vocational high schools, in private institutions. What do they do at school? What are their relationships with those they work with and with the "system"? The interviews were conducted in the mid-1980s as part of the sociological study group of the Institut National de Recherche Pédagogique. Unfortunately, they still seem relevant today. Bernard Urlacher continues this reflection on teaching from his own practice by publishing soon: "Living and teaching in Mayotte", in this new French department of the Mozambique Channel.