NUMBER OF THOSE STUDYING FRENCH LANGUAGE DECREASES IN LAST DECADE IN ARMENIA
Noyan Tapan
Mar 20 2006
YEREVAN, MARCH 20, NOYAN TAPAN. March 20 is the International Day of
Francophonie. On this day one-week events dedicated to the French
language and culture start in 63 countries of the world which are
real members of the Francophonie International Organization or
have a status of observer in the organization. 53 countries are
real members of the organization and another 10, including Armenia,
have a status of observer since 2004. As Noyan Tapan was informed by
Susan Gharamian, Director of Francophonie International Organization
Armenian center, Alliance Francaise, the per cent of people studying
French has decreased in the last 10 years in Armenia. At present it
amounts to 12 and the number of those studying English increased up
to 80%. According to the Alliance Francaise Director, a number of
events will be held in Armenia in connection with the International
Day of Francophonie. A contest of knowledge of practical French will
be held on March 21 on the initiative of the Association of Support to
Practical French Language, with participation of students of Armenian
higher schools. This contest is annual and the winner will leave for
Paris next year to take part in the Week of Francophonie. A written
contest “Golden Feather” will be held on March 22. 3 works will be
selected out of the best 15 ones. They will be sent to Paris where
the author of one work will be recognized the winner. An intellectual
game in French, by individual and team variants, will be held on March
23. On March 26, a 24-hour virual contest of compositions will be held
on the initiative of the “Paris-4” and “Paris-5” Universities. Students
of higher schools and persons of other specialities studying French
can take part in it. The subjects of the compositions will be sent
once every two hours by Internet by these two Universities. The
best works will be placed on the web site of the Francophonie
International Organization, as well as on the site of the Alliance
Francaise. Besides, according to S.Gharamian, a number of cultural
events will be also held jointly with the French Embassy in Armenia.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
