The Embassy of France in India, in collaboration with the Institut Français India (IFI) and the French Ministry of National Education, has announced the departure of 206 Indian Language Assistants for the 2024-2025 academic year.
These participants will teach English in various primary and secondary schools across France as part of the English Language Assistants Programme. The initiative, which runs from October to April, aims to support English teaching in French public schools while fostering a deeper cultural exchange between the two nations.
A pre-departure session was held at the IBIS Hotel Aerocity in New Delhi. Grégor Trumel, Director of IFI and Counsellor for Cooperation and Cultural Affairs, addressed the language assistants. Trumel highlighted the program's significance in strengthening Franco-Indian relations, stating, “Language assistants serve as ambassadors of Indian culture in France and French culture in India, playing a strategic role in intercultural reinforcement."
The program, which includes 61 returning participants from previous years, provides a unique opportunity for assistants to teach English while exploring French society, language, and culture. Assistants are required to have an IELTS score of 7.5 or above and a B1 level of French proficiency or a B.A. in French.
In addition to teaching, participants may also attend classes at French universities, subject to availability, further enhancing their cultural and linguistic understanding. The program plays a crucial role in people-to-people exchanges, solidifying the educational and cultural ties between France and India.
