GCC yet to renew MoU, French classes stalled
The language was taught to 20 students each from corporation schools in Perambur, Tondiarpet, Saidapet, and Thiruvanmiyur.
It was taught after school hours for interested students with a consent letter from the parents, teachers said.
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A teacher, who was in charge of the project, told TOI that classes were conducted between Nov 2024 and April this year. There were two classes a week, covering 80 hours, he said.
A visit by TOI to the schools where the scheme was implemented showed good acceptance among the students.
Alliance Francaise also rewarded the top scorer from each school with a free course in French.
Shakena Sweety and Yashika, both studying at the Chennai Girls Higher Secondary School in Thiruvanmiyur, said they liked the classes so much that they had full attendance in the course.
Their teacher said they were taken to the French embassy twice, were served French delicacies, and had different activities and games to learn the language.
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"It was joyful learning, students thoroughly enjoyed it. The same course outside would be expensive," a teacher said. The students learned the A1 French course, which teaches basic vocabulary.
The students said they were missing the classes. "We learned good vocabulary, and it will be good if it's resumed," said Shakena.
Both the faculty at the school level and the course director at Alliance Francaise, Gisele Pio, said they have not received details regarding the next batch yet. "It is to kick off soon, now that schools have just reopened," she said.
Muniramaiah U, assistant education officer, said that the MoU will be renewed soon.
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