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Contact:
Julita Peter
Wednesday, March 19, 2003 – Secondary schools on the island converged at
the National Cultural Centre on Wednesday, for the annual secondary schools’
concert, commemorating Journee Internationale de la Francophonie or Francophonie
Day, which is being observed in 56 countries on 20th March each year.
Performances were staged by the students and included dance, poetry, and music.
Anthea Cadette–Blasse a French Lecturer at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community
College and President of the Association of Teachers of Modern Languages in
Saint Lucia noted that the annual activity provides an opportunity for the
students to showcase all they’ve learnt about the French language.
She thinks a lot more needs to be done to develop a greater appreciation for the
French Language among students. According to Blasse, “very often students
consider French as being totally tied to Creole and there is the perception that
if I speak Creole, then maybe speaking French may not be necessary. I think we
need to market the subject more at school so students can see it for what its
worth.”
Blasse added that whilst French is not the official language spoken in Saint
Lucia, the French heritage is quite evident in the Saint Lucian culture.
Organizers of the Journee de la Francophonie are hoping to see more exchanges
between Saint Lucia and the French –speaking countries, particularly where
teachers and students are concerned.
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