French Facts
It is the official language of 41 countries, most of which form the community of French-speaking nations the French call La Francophonie
France is one of few countries worldwide to boast an official linguistic governing body, the Académie Française, whose goal is the constant purification and preservation of the French language
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
French
Glossary
L'OMC
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L’Organisation Mondiale du Commerce (OMC) est l’organisation internationale chargée d’établir les règles régissant le commerce international et visant à la bonne conduite des échanges entre pays.
L’OMC est née en 1995, succédant au GATT (accord général sur les tarifs douaniers et le commerce) créé au lendemain de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale.
En 50 ans, le commerce international a connu une croissance sans précédent : les exportations mondiales ont augmenté d’envion 6% chaque année et le total des échanges en 2000 était 20 fois supérieur à celui de 1950. Le GATT et l’OMC ont donc largement contribué à instituer un système commercial multilatéral solide et prospère, favorisant une croissance exceptionnelle.
Ce système fut developpé dans le cadre de plusieurs« cycles » ou « rounds »de négociations commerciales. Les premières négociations portaient principalement sur la réduction des droits de douane, puis le champ des négociations s’est élargi à d’autres domaines tels que les mesures anti-dumping.
Parmi les « rounds » les plus connnus, lÂ’Uruguay Round (1986-1994) a conduit à la création de l’OMC, le programme de Doha pour le développement (Qatar, 2001) vise à traiter plus équitablement les pays en développement afin qu’ils deviennent des acteurs à part entière du commerce mondial.
L’OMC compte aujourd’hui près de 150 membres, représentant 97% du commerce sur la scène internationale. Les décisions lors de négociations sont prises par les membres par consensus.
French Courses in Southampton
Your colleagues and yourself can be trained by our native-speaking fully-qualified French tutors at a time and location to suit you. Classes can take place any day, even weekends, and can happen in the morning, afternoon or evening. If the case may be that your home or office is not convenient, there is always the option to take your classes at the office of your teacher. Study books for the course are provided.
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
The French courses are also available for 2 or more people studying together (Two-to-One French Course or Small Group In-Company French Course). All participants must have the same level, the same business or general language needs and be able to study at the same time in the same location. The booking must be made for all participants at the same time. Listen & Learn do not recommend group classes of more than 6-8 people although In-Company Taster French Courses can be run with up to 12 people.
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Southampton
Home to over 150,000 people, Reading is a town located west of London. Starting out as a city built on the cloth trade, the 18th century saw Reading develop as an ironworking town as well as its now famous brewing trade. The 19th century revolved mainly around the three Bs of Reading: beer, bulbs and biscuits! Nowadays, Reading is a major shopping centre; home to 2 shopping malls and 3 smaller arcades catered to specialist markets. It is perhaps most famous for traditionally hosting two annual music festivals: the Reading Festival and WOMAD.
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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