December 3, 2015 –In a brief ceremony held at the Cornfield and Archer courtyard, the very first batch of Ashesi students to take the DELF (Diploma in French Studies) exam were congratulated and presented with diplomas. The class also recorded a 100% pass in the examination. Present at the ceremony were Mrs. Julie Fournier, a representative from the French Embassy in Ghana and Mr. Frederique Dart, director of the Alliance Francaise in Accra.
The ceremony opened with a brief musical performance by students from the Berekuso JSS who are currently enrolled in an extra-curricular French class at Ashesi. On behalf of the French Ambassador to Ghana, Julie Fournier spoke on the importance of being multi-lingual. “Languages are the main principles for expressing ideas, emotions, knowledge and values,” she said. “Knowing foreign languages gives one access to different cultures. So you’re very luck to study at Ashesi where the provost and her team have understood this. We need to develop the capacity to acquire proficiency in more languages. Added to the languages you already speak, French improves your employability in the world”
For French lecturer, Nathalie N'guessen, who is in her first year at Ashesi, the results were a testament of dedication and commitment of the students. “For weeks, the students worked two to three hours a day, including weekends, to get prepared for the exam,” she said. “I am proud of them and the fact that they accepted the challenge. They all passed with very good results; between 77% and 95%.”
For Marilyn Seyram Acolatse '17, who loves languages, the French class is more than just an opportunity to learn a new language. “We are not just learning how to speak French like we did in high school,” she said. “Here, our classes are very interactive and hands on. We watch French TV shows, play French games and also learn about French cities such as Lyon, Bordeaux, Marseille, Nice and Angers. Essentially, we are immersed into the culture. Now I am able to communicate fairly fluently with the francophone students on campus. ”
This fall, Ashesi expanded its Arts and Sciences curriculum by offering French as an elective, currently open to upperclassmen. The class focuses on teaching and improving both written and oral proficiency of students in the French language. Twenty-one students registered for the A1 and A2 levels of the class, and have all successfully progressed to the next level.
Aside the elective for students, a beginner’s French class is also available for Ashesi staff and faculty.