QU backs first congress for French teachers

More than 100 participants from 36 institutions in Qatar attended the first congress for teachers of French in Doha on Saturday.The event, hosted by the Department of English Literature and Linguistics at Qatar University College of Arts and Sciences (QU-CAS), was a joint-initiative of CAS French Minor programme, the French Institute, and the French embassy in Doha.In a press statement, QU said the participants engaged in a series of pedagogical workshops offered by both local and international experts.  The congress also aims to develop a common vision and strong professional identity around a shared mission, and to lay the ground for joint research initiatives involving academics and these institutions. The opening ceremony was attended by QU vice president for academic affairs Dr Omar al-Ansari, French ambassador Eric Chevallier, and the Permanent Delegate of Qatar at Unesco Ali Zainal.Speaking at the event, Dr Omar al-Ansari stressed the fruitful collaboration with the French embassy and French universities in areas of strategic importance. Meanwhile, Chevallier lauded Qatar’s commitment to the French language and culture, hoping that the congress becomes a yearly tradition. He also stressed the success of the French Minor at QU.Zainal, who flew from Paris for the occasion, highlighted the importance of multilingualism in an increasingly globalised world. He also shared his passion for the French language and pedagogical tips, to teach it using elements drawn from the Qatari context.A plenary talk was also given by a scholar in the field of foreign language teaching pedagogy, Claire Mallet from the Centre de Linguistique Appliquee de l’Universite de Franche-Comte. The organisers of the event, Dr Paula Bouffard, QU professor of French Language and Culture, and Sylvie Lamy, the attachee de co-operation for the French Language, chaired a roundtable aimed at discussing the successes and challenges associated with the teaching of French in Qatar.As one of the panellists, Dr Bouffard shared her observations and experience in developing and teaching the French Minor at QU. “This is first the time such an event is taking place in Qatar and I am particularly looking forward to the research opportunities and research collaborations which will emerge from this gathering and inform our teaching practices,” she said.