Alliance Française - Parlez vous Francais?

30 September, 2008 17:09

Welcome to the third article in easyexpat’s series on language and cultural institutes. In this issue, the spotlight is on Alliance Française, an organization whose main mission is to promote French outside its own country’s borders.

While most people can manage ‘Bonjour’ or the famous ‘Bon Appetit’, this wasn’t enough for some French lovers. Set up in 1883 by a group of eminent men including the scientist Louis Pasteur and the writers Jules Verne and Ernest Renan, this institution’s aim is to spread the French language throughout the world. A mission well accomplished with a network of over 1071 institutions in 133 countries, from far the largest in the world! From India to Australia, UK to U.S, every year approximately 440,000 students learn a few more French words at one of its many centres. In fact, so great is its success in spreading the French language and culture that in 2005, along with the Societe Dante Alighieri, the British Council, the Goethe Institute, the Instituto Cervantes and the Instituto Camões, the Alliance Française was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for outstanding achievements in communications and the humanities.

Courses offered

There are a number of courses offered and levels vary from Beginner to Advanced. At the head quarters in Paris, there are many options available including short, intensive courses or more relaxed options, evening classes or day courses. General French language courses can be combined with professional courses, customized courses and workshops.

Professional courses include courses that focus on Business French, Medical French, Tourism French and Legal French. Or you can opt for a customized course with emphasis on phonetics, private lessons or self-guided learning options. Workshops include written, oral and thematic workshops. For those who’d like to teach French as a second language, Alliance Française also offers ‘Teacher’s training’ options.

All courses end with tests. Upon successful completion of these tests, you will receive a certification recognized by ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe). The DELF (diplôme d’études en langue française) and the DALF (diplôme approfondi de langue française) are official diplomas issued by the French ministry of education to certify your command of the French language. These definitely come in handy for those applying for jobs in a French-speaking country.

Fees and Schedule

Given the wide variety of options available, fees vary widely. Fees also depend on the size of class and duration of the course. An Intensive General French Course of 20 hours per week can cost between 160 and 225 euros while an extensive course of 9 hours per week cost between 80 and 100 euros. For a more detailed look at the fees and schedules of the Alliance Francaise in Paris, log onto http://www.alliancefr.org/

For a listing of some of the other franchises in other countries, log onto http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alliance_fran%C3%A7aise

For those of you looking to learn French, Bon chance. Give your local Alliance Française a call.

Festivals in Europe this October

siddlobo

24 September, 2008 22:05

Autumn Festival, Normandy, France
19^th October – 30^th November
The Autumn Festival in Normandy features top productions in theatre, dance and music. It presents 60 performances in cities including Dieppe, Rouen and Le Havre, as well as smaller towns like Le Grand-Quevilly and Montivilliers. Highlights of this year's event include homage to all things Argentinean with a carte blanche to Belgian choreographer Wim Vandekeybus.
http://www.automne-en-normandie.com/entertainments/index

Eurochocolate, Perugia, Italy
18^th - 26^th October
If you’re a chocolate lover, this is the place to be. This is Europe’s most popular chocolate festival and has made Perugia the chocolate capital of Europe. For nine days, this town transforms itself into a huge open-air pastry-shop dedicated to chocolate lovers from all over. But not only do you get to indulge in chocolate, you’ll also learn everything there is to know about the "food of the gods". Give in to your sweet tooth, head for the Eurochocolate.
http://www.bellaumbria.net/Perugia/eurochocolate_eng.htm

Frankfurter Buchmesse, Frankfurt, Germany
15^th – 19^th October
This one’s for the book worms. It’s claimed to be one of the most famous book fairs in the world.
http://www.buchmesse.de/en/fbf/

Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany
20^th September – 5^th October
This is the ultimate homage to beer. When one thinks of Oktoberfest, images of crowded beer tents, huge beer mugs handled by big bosomed women in drendils and men in lederhozen come to mind. All of which is true. But no words can truly describe the experience of thousands of people crammed in a huge carnival atmosphere enjoying the lively Bavarian music and its equally popular brew. Each year over six million visitors throng to the Oktoberfest to be part of this heady experience. Be part of the 175^th year celebrations this year.
http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/

Seafood Festvial (Fiesta de Exaltacion del Marisco), O Grove, Spain
3^rd -12^th October
As the name itself suggests, this is the place for sea food lovers. Indulge yourself and pick from a mouth watering array of mussels, clams, langostines, prawns, scallops, oysters, lobsters, crabs and of course fish! This festivals attracts over 200,000 seafood lovers from all across Europe and is supposed to be the place for the best seafood in Europe.
http://travelguides.lastminute.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=21429

Wigstöckel, Berlin, Germany
2^nd – 5^th October
This is an event that attracts crossdressers and transgendered people from across Europe. It features an entertaining show and is guaranteed to be an interesting experience – whether or not you’re in the crossdressing scene.
http://www.wigstoeckel.com/index2_en.php

Budapest Autumn Festival, Budapest, Hungary
10^th – 19^th October
The Budapest Autumn Festival showcases performances by some of the most significant progressive artists from all genres. The events aim to provide exposure and recognition for new Hungarian artists.
http://www.budapestinfo.hu/en/calendar_of_events/budapest_autumn_festival_2008

Wexford Opera Festival, Wexford, Ireland
16^thOctober – 2^nd November
This is a small but perfectly formed and well respected festival featuring premier opera performances. This is the 57^th year that the festival has been around and highlights of this year’s performances include The Snow Maiden by Snegurochka and The Mines of Sulphur by Richard Rodney Bennett.
http://wexfordopera.com

Please note that there may be changes to the dates, events and line-ups at the festivals. For detailed information, check the official websites.

Sidd Lobo

Freelance copywriter based out of Munich

Cervantes Institute – Espanola anybody?

siddlobo

17 September, 2008 14:26

In this week’s article, the spotlight is on the Cervantes Institute. Established in 1991, the Cervantes Institute is a non-profit organization created by the Spanish government to spread Spanish language and culture to the rest of the world. Named after Miguel de Cervantes, the author of Don Quixote and seen as one of the most noteworthy figures in Spanish literature, this institution has earned itself an excellent reputation. In 2005, along with the Societe Dante Alighieri, the British Council, the Goethe Institute, the Alliance Francaise and the Instituto Camões, the Cervantes Institute was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for outstanding achievements in communications and the humanities. Modeled on the principles of the Goethe Institute, it is now the largest organization in the world responsible for promoting the Spanish language and culture. With over 54 centres in over 20 countries, it’s easy to see why.

Activities offered at the Cervantes Institute

The primary focus of the Cervantes Institute is to teach Spanish as a second language. There are three main levels of courses offered: Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced and exams are conducted to gauge if participants have satisfactorily completed their course. Diplomas of Spanish as a Secondary Language are recognized and offered by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. In keeping with the times, the Cervantes Institute also has a strong online presence and offers many online language training courses.

Spanish language is not the only focus of the Cervantes Institute. It also plays an important role in promoting the country’s culture. The Institute hosts many cultural programmes including the famous Spain Film Festival and the Festival of Flamenco. It also regularly holds concerts, art exhibitions, book presentations and lectures on Spanish culture.

The Cervantes Institute also offers automated free translator service via the telephone and boasts of over 580,000 successful translations to date.

Courses offered

There are a number of different courses offered. From short intensive courses to longer courses, individual programmes to group programmes, you can choose what’s best for you. Courses run throughout the year and a short exam will determine your level at the start. If you opt for a course at one of the Cervantes locations in Spain, chances are that you can tailor it to specific needs like ‘Spanish for Lawyers’ or ‘Spanish for Teachers’. Or for those looking for a more fun alternative, you can combine you language sessions with flamenco classes. Also expect much socialization, partying, tapas, salsa and sporting action from your language holiday.

Fees and Schedules

Fees vary widely as there are a number of options available. In general, lessons cost between 150 euros and 250 euros per week (excluding accommodation) along with an enrolment fee. Accommodation varies from 100 to 175 euros per week depending on season and kind of accommodation chosen. For more details on fees, schedules and courses available, visit http://www.cervantes.to/

For a complete listing of worldwide Cervantes Institutions, click here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instituto_Cervantes

Sidd Lobo

Goethe Institut – promoting German language and culture

siddlobo

04 September, 2008 04:25

Since most readers of easyexpat.com are generally globe trotters who call many countries home, we’ve decided to do a series on various prominent institutions that bring their country’s culture to the world. Today’s article focuses on the Goethe Institut.

Established in 1951, the Goethe Insitut is a German non-profit organization set up mainly to promote the German language and culture outside German-speaking countries. It was set up initially to provide training for foreign German teachers in Germany but it has now grown into a worldwide institution with over 3300 employees and approximately 278 million euros at its disposal.

While its primary concern is to promote the German language, the Goethe Institut also plays an active role in promoting the country’ culture. It provides information on German society and politics and also promotes inter-cultural relations through exchange of films, music, theatre and literature. It's done such a great job that in 2005, along with the Societe Dante Alighieri, the British Council, the Alliance Francaise, the Instituto Cervantes and the Instituto Camões, the Goethe Institute was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for outstanding achievements in communications and the humanities.

German language courses offered

The Goethe Institut offers a number of language courses and different options from on-site courses to distance courses. It even has language training facilities on websites like Second Life. The institute has much to brag about. With over 50 years of experience and more than 170,000 participants in their German courses each year in 80 countries, it is definitely one of the most reputed programmes available to learn the German language.

The Goethe Institut also combines its language courses with a cultural immersion into Germany. It’s one to explore if you’re trying to get your feet wet about the country. These cultural and leisure programmes combine language courses with frequent city excursions, concerts, theatre visits, parties and operas – a great way to explore the city, make new friends and learn a new language.

The institute has also developed a rigorous series of examinations for learning German as a second language. These exams are set for different levels from basic to advanced and can be taken both in Germany and abroad. The tests (TestDaF) are recognised by the German Academic Exchange Service and are especially aimed at people interested in studying at German universities. You can take examinations at any level, either at the Goethe-Institut or with any of 265 examination partners.

Fees and schedule

Courses are offered year-round at most locations and begin at the start of each month. In general, it’s advisable to sign up for a course one month in advance. Summer courses fill up quickly so best to book your seat three months in advance. For people who need to apply for visas to study and stay in Germany, it’s advised to apply four months in advance. Fees vary widely. Eight week courses without accommodation are 680 euros while a 2-week intensive, all inclusive programme costs 1,420 euros. For more detailed information on courses, schedules and fees, check the official website at www.goethe.de

Good luck or as they say in German ‘Viel glueck’.

Sidd Lobo