French is among the most sought after foreign language next to Spanish and German. But, the current lockdown scenario is voiding the dreams of learning a language in a classroom atmosphere. While several independent online tutors do exist, learning from an expert comes with great value addition.

As ed-tech enables more learners to upskill from home, Indo-French cultural centre Alliance Française (AF) has taken its classrooms online. This lockdown, AF is enabling as many as 30,000 people to learn French online from home. Thus turning a crisis into a promising opportunity.

AF receives a significant number of queries from youngsters between 16 and 25 years of age. The French learning centre describes the digital mode more convenient in terms of time management and multitasking, as learners are able to receive lessons from home.

With the use of a modern LMS (learning management system) and developing a 100% effective pedagogy, the Alliance Française network was able to recreate its links with old and new language learners through distance learning, just one day after it closed physical classes in March due to the nationwide lockdown.

‘Mon Alliance’, is the platform which follows some social network principles. It is used to share assignments, post comments, store documents, and practice through self-corrected exercises. Integrated into their teaching process three years ago, a video conference tool today allows the centres to contain the effects of the crisis in a softer way.

In view of the gravity of the global health condition, this unique situation has to be taken. This is an opportunity to experiment with new ways of teaching and learning in the sought-after language.

“What can you do during a lockdown? Well, you could complain about the Coronavirus. Or, you could think of it as a chance to learn something new. One must always learn something in difficult times. Learning French is a good way to tide over these times,” Mr. Guillaume Grangeon, Academic Director, Alliance Française de Delhi said.

Emphasizing on the heightened relevance of the French language, Mr. Grangeon said, “French language is becoming more and more trendy in the new generation. Young Indians want to take advantage of all the opportunities coming from the continuous economic growth in India. French language is a plus on the job market place. Many students have a clear objective before joining the Alliance Françaises. They want to study or work in France, work for francophone companies. Also, multinational look for French speaking candidates who have reached a high level of French, proof of their seriousness.

“The lockdown is such a chance to learn and improve their language skills. This will, in turn, prepare them to be ready for the future and look for job opportunities. The French language will add value to a resume in a context where competition is becoming higher and higher.”

Well, we believe several other languages too experience similar demand in India (except Mandarin perhaps). Before leaving read my review on the brand new Netflix movie- Extraction.