Déols – France

Beginner’s French initiative

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Region/country

THE CONTEXT OF YOUR INITIATIVE

Since 2011, Emmaus Indre has welcomed a certain number of undocumented persons who don’t speak French. Some arrive unaccompanied, others with their families, at the Déols and Le Blanc communities. They are originally from Albania, Kosovo, Ukraine, Russia, Sub-Saharan Africa as well as North Africa.

The Déols community has begun offering a French language course for beginners called the DILF (French Language Initiation Diploma) benefitting around ten willing companions. This diploma is recognised by the national education system, helps integrate the companions into society and also serves as a certificate which is needed for their temporary residence permit applications.

THE ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT AS PART OF YOUR INITIATIVE

Based on our knowledge of the tests, we have focused our preparatory work on oral and written communication in everyday life: speaking, discussing, communicating – skills that are essential to integrating and living in the community day by day. A companion has received support in order to apply for her prior work experience to be recognised.

They have learned to recognise their geographical and administrative locations, how to fill in commonly-required forms (school insurance applications, housing applications, etc.)

WHO IS INVOLVED FROM OUR GROUP?

Three volunteers are involved in working with the companions. The team of volunteers, two of whom have previous training experience (one was a teacher in a secondary school, the other a further education teacher), used a method known as “tortoise teaching”: we therefore take account of each person’s different background, taking the time necessary so that each companion understands the method. The exercises given are corrected by everyone at the same time.

WHICH PARTNERS ARE YOU WORKING WITH ON THIS INITIATIVE?

Photos

We asked for the companions concerned to get involved. They all got on board, their aim being to obtain proof of French identity as quickly as possible or begin planning to move on from the community. They agreed to go to classes on Thursday evenings after work, from 5:30 to 7pm, or a little later.
We asked for the companions concerned to get involved. They all got on board, their aim being to obtain proof of French identity as quickly as possible or begin planning to move on from the community. They agreed to go to classes on Thursday evenings after work, from 5:30 to 7pm, or a little later.
The techniques used are adapted to the DILF test:rn-tAn oral exam, using a CDrn-tRole playrn-tCharadesrn-tFilling in forms (State medical aid application (AME), or an identity card application, etc.). rnrnOur work therefore focuses on using examples from everyday life. We work in groups as a team, in which everyone helps each other and shares their knowledge, while each chooses their own pace of learning.
The techniques used are adapted to the DILF test:rn-tAn oral exam, using a CDrn-tRole playrn-tCharadesrn-tFilling in forms (State medical aid application (AME), or an identity card application, etc.). rnrnOur work therefore focuses on using examples from everyday life. We work in groups as a team, in which everyone helps each other and shares their knowledge, while each chooses their own pace of learning.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

We led two sessions in October 2016 and April 2017, with a one-hundred-percent success rate.

The President of the Vocational Training Commission of the Centre Val de Loire Region came to the presentation of the first diplomas and the local press wrote a number of positive articles in response. The second presentation of diplomas took place in September 2017, attended by François Jolivet, Member of Parliament for the Indre department.

So far, eight companions have received their residence permits.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD ANY INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR INITIATIVE?

WHAT ARE YOUR PROSPECTS?

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