Vive le Français

Almost 100 Year 10 and 11 students from six high schools, teachers and staff took part in a day of French language and culture at Flinders Victoria Square last week.

The organiser, senior lecturer (French) at Flinders Dr Christele Maizonniaux says six Flinders University students took part while prospective student adviser Kirstie Salter talked about the benefits of a second language to career pathways.

Special guest, Mr Cedric Peltier, Economic and Cooperation Officer with the French consular agency in Adelaide, told students a second language would help them in many ways, not least with careers opening in defence and other industries in South Australia.

“Speaking another language will open doors and help you travel the world,” he said.

Students from Loreto College, Adelaide High School, Scotch, St Aloysius, Marryatville High School, Trinity Gawler and Trinity Senior also heard from Professor Saul Newman, Dean (People and Resources) at the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences.

Demand was high so the French language and culture group hopes to organise another ‘immersion day’ next year.

Dr Maizonniaux – who is also affiliated with the Université Grenoble-Alpes after completing a PhD in Applied Linguistics in Australia – is continuing her own research efforts back in France this year. With Dr Danielle Clode, also from the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences at Flinders, she will head for Britanny to investigate the legacy of Jules Verne under a State Government SA-Brittany Research Grant.

The pair are expanding on some important SA research into the voyages of Nicolas Baudin and other French explorers and scientists who came to Asia-Pacific.

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