Speaking a language is good — it’s better to speak more than one. Roland Lescure, Member of Parliament for the French of North America, is organizing a symposium on the importance of the Francophonie and bilingual education on Saturday, October 6, at the Assemblée Nationale in Paris. The President of the Ile-de-France Regional Council, Valérie Pécresse, and Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, Secretary of State to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, will speak.
Experts, elected officials, and parents will participate in two panel discussions during the morning. The first will focus on bilingualism as a vehicle for “soft power” and personal empowerment in the 21st century. The authors of “The Bilingual Revolution,” Fabrice Jaumont and Christine Hélot, professor and expert on bilingualism, will also participate.
The second panel will focus on French education abroad. Gregg Roberts, foreign language program coordinator for the Utah State Department of Education, will be present along with Pierre-François Mourier, director of the International Center for Educational Studies (CIEP), among other speakers.
Registration is free and essential for attending. The conference is being held in collaboration with the office of the Minister of National Education.
