It was a breeze night on the terrace, and Shrenyesh from Khajuraho mentioned something in the newspaper to the groups around the table.
Aspiring tour guide Khushal Singh from Rajasthan leaned over to listen while Alagiri, an employee of a multinational company, was pitching in.
The retired Paris professor then made a witty statement, with a giggle ringing on the table, though the shy housewife, Mary Frieda, laughed.
It is not Tamil, Hindi or even English that has helped this group of disorganized people build connections, but a language they are eager to learn for their own reasons --French.
The scene is directly after a casual
Classroom conversation time in AllianceAFP)
On February 28, all of this, as an institution, will be celebrated on 125.
Founded in 1889, the alliance has added a French flavor to the city. it is Asia's oldest Alliance and one of the oldest in the world.
In addition to its longevity, the agency's unique position in the former French colony prompted students like Shreyansh to bypass similar learning centers closer to home.
For those who are fascinated by French, perhaps nothing is better than learning to speak French in an atmosphere that is still full of traces of the country of origin of French --
It can be seen from food, traditions, architecture and customs.
The opportunity to speak with French-speaking people and French citizens of puducheri is an added benefit.
"Although the alliance draws on the heritage of puduchari, it is eager to give back to the town by enriching the cultural scene here," said AFP director Fabrice Mongiat . ".
Standing on the threshold of an important milestone, AFP hopes that the role it will play in the future will be an important part of the cultural structure of puduchari.
A new auditorium with advanced sound engineering and newly launched language accommodation allows participants to sign up for weekly residential shows including yoga, music, theater and language, a step in this direction. As Mr.
Mongiat said, "The alliance is not just another center for learning French.
Even if we focus on the four basic skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking, it is equally important to develop the fifth skill of understanding culture.
"The cultural department of the institution offers students the opportunity to explore French theater, literature, film, food and pop culture through films, literary conferences, concerts, etc.
"Interview French writers or paintings with French artists (
Activities recently provided by AFP)
Help language learning to surpass books . "Mongiat.
An average of 1,500 students are registered at the institution each year.
For some, it is the gateway to French universities, a voucher for work that requires dealing with European clients, and a pure desire to learn new things.
"But French is not just about appreciating culture, but is rapidly becoming a professional asset," the director explained AFP's recent prediction of the French professional scope . ".
For several years, the alliance has been promoting-
Campus job fair to set up a recruitment center for Indian companies that need French
Employees and French companies established in India.
Mary Joelle Primoguet, course director, noted: "puduchari benefits from the general assumption that most people here speak French, although this is not entirely correct . ".
Although there are a large number of capable learners at the initial level, the center is not always satisfied with the high level of business
Archival work requiring advanced capabilities such as B1 or b2.
However, except
The English and official diploma issued by the French Ministry of Education, which currently has courses tailored to the management of companies, tourism and hotels, is reforming teaching methods to further improve the quality of teaching.
Over the past five years, teaching has changed from text to text.
Integration based on classroom technology
Interactive whiteboards, French TV TV5, national radio, movie clips, and the use of the Internet in the classroom.
The role of the teacher will be more like a coach who guides students to explore the language.
With French being offered as a second or third language in many schools, what is the role of an institution like AFP?
"We often have students who can write in French but can't speak.
If you can't communicate, what's the point of learning a language? ” asks Ms. Marie Joelle.
"The focus here is on speaking and listening skills.
"While the crash course is easy to promise to make the speaker fluent in a month, Sir
Mongiat said it is possible to ensure a certain level of comfort during the presentation.
The alliance in puducheri has the lowest fees in Indian institutions and plans to offer more scholarships to poor students.
As Mr Mongiat said, "It takes a lifetime to learn a language, not three months.
We can't sell what we can't do.