French ambassador tours immersion school in Louisiana
LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Nestled in an oak-lined Lafayette neighborhood sits Myrtle Place Elementary, where more than 350 children from pre-K through fifth grade are learning in French.
The school is one of only a few in the state to be considered a full French immersion school, meaning all rather than a percentage of daily instruction takes place in the target language. It does so with administrators and teachers from 11 different countries and from Louisiana.
“One thing that’s incredible about Myrtle Place is it has teachers from all over the world and from Louisiana,” said Matt Mick, public information officer with the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL). “It’s a beautiful representation of the idea that French deeply roots us and connects us to the world.”
A group of third-graders showed off their language skills Nov. 29, singing about the famous Seine river in France for a special visitor to their campus.
Philippe Étienne, Ambassador of France to the United States, toured the school alongside Consul General Nathalie Beras, representatives from the state Department of Education and leaders of the Lafayette Parish School System.
Étienne described the school as marvelous and “a very good example of immersion and CODOFIL, which has been a big success.
“We see how it is important for families to revitalize the French heritage tradition and to prepare for the future of their children,” the ambassador said. “To speak fluently is very useful later in finding jobs and developing activities in culture and tourism. I have been very impressed and moved by the dedication and enthusiasm of the director and staff and by seeing the kids naturally speaking French.”
The Lafayette elementary school began its progression to becoming a full-fledged immersion...