French Facts
Being a Romance language, much of the French vocabulary is derived from Vulgar Latin, thanks to Caesar's invasion of Gaul (58-52BC) and the subsequent manipulation of Latin by invading Germanic tribes
Once the most universal language in the world, the influence of French diminished in the early 20th century to make way for English
French is the official language of many African countries, including Cameroon, the Congo, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal and the Seychelles
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Glossary
La laïcité à
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Le principe de laïcité, autrement dit la séparation des pouvoirs de l’église et de l’Etat (loi de 1905), est au cœur de l’identité républicaine en France.
Au cours de ces dix dernières années, la laïcité à l’école en France a été sujet à bien des controverses et a suscité beaucoup de débats.
En 1989, la question du respect de la neutralité confessionnelle s’est posée lors de l’expulsion d’une collégienne pour port de foulard islamique en classe. Le conseil d’Etat a mis l’accent, à cette occasion, sur la nécessité d’interdire aux élèves le port de signes d’apparence religieuse « à caractère ostentatoire ».
En application du principe de laïcité, une loi a été adoptée en France le 15 mars 2004. Cette loi interdit le port de signes ou de tenues manifestant ostensiblement une apparence religieuse dans les écoles, collèges et lycées publics. Elle s’appliquera à la rentrée scolaire 2004.
Ce texte d’ouverture laisse une grande marge d’interprétation car l’application du principe de laïcité se heurte à de nombreuses difficultés, notamment concernant les frontières de la laïcité et son champ d’application.
Quels signes sont considérés comme « visibles » et quels signes sont considérés comme « ostentatoires » ?
Sont alors remises en question les limites des principes de liberté d’expression, liberté de pensée et liberté de religion, car empêcher l’expression de diverses croyances dans les espaces publics revient à contrôler la liberté d’expression sur le territoire national.
Aussi au-delà du débat sur la laïcité se pose le débat sur le statut de la femme.
French Courses in Peterborough
You and your group can be trained by our native speaker qualified French teachers, and can meet at your place of work or home at a time convenient to you. Tutorials can take place any day of the week, including weekends, and can be scheduled for the morning, afternoon or evening. If your home or office is not suitable for you, you can attend the course at the teacher's offices. You will be provided with all relevant course materials.
Book now / EnquiryFrench 1 to 1 Business
These French courses are intended for people who really need to learn French to help make that difference in their work. For beginners, it will be useful to learn greetings and basic business etiquette, at higher levels reading and then writing become more important. Typical students include those involved in import/export, international negotiations and acquisitions, jobseekers in multinational companies where an additional language is required, and those working with international colleagues, academia and government. Even on our most basic course for Beginners, students should expect to end the course with basic Telephone French and e-mail French skills for communications as well as Survival French required for short visits to a country.
Book now / EnquiryFrench 1 to 1 General
These French courses are more general in nature and are targeted at students with a whole range of different needs. While all beginners level students can expect to cover Survival French - required for short visits to a country where English may not be spoken and/or the intention is to make good contacts with the local population, students then generally progress in different directions depending on their needs. Typical students include those buying property overseas, spouses of overseas nationals, people about to set off on that long-awaited world trip, French culture enthusiasts and those who are keen to pass a particular French examination.
Book now / EnquiryFrench Group Lessons
Those wishing to learn French in groups of 2 or more together (Two-to-One French Courses or Small Group In-Company French Courses) can sign up for our group classes. All students must be at nearly the same level of French proficiency, must have the same needs from the language, and must be able to study at the same time and place as the others. Bookings must be made for all students simultaneously. Listen & Learn do not propose group sizes or more than 6-8 people, but In-Company Taster French Courses can occur with up to 12 people.
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Peterborough
A cathedral city in the east of England, Peterborough has a population of around 170,000. Owing much of its modern development to its role as a railway hub during the Industrial Revolution as its location is both central and notoriously flat and low-lying. These days Peterborough is home to a large concentration of Italian immigrants, and thanks to new commonwealth immigration has had a major population boom over the last few years: it is believed that there are 55 different languages being spoken in the city. Peterborough is also home to a wide variety of foreign cuisine in its restaurants, as well as numerous yearly festivals (including an annual beerfest).
French Testimonials
"Our native speaker qualified French language teachers can train you and your colleagues at your office or home at a time to suit you. Classes can be any day of the week (even weekends) in the morning."
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