English divides French education

France is split over a law that would enable public universities to teach in English. The opposition fears for the French cultural identity, while the government sees benefits for both international and French students. Minister Fioraso rejects the critique and points out that there are already 800 English courses. France’s National Assembly is discussing plans to change the law that obliges all teachers to teach in French, from kindergarten to university. By relaxing the law the French hope to attract more international students, but the idea is heavily opposed by a politicians and teachers that fear that France will lose its cultural identity.
Five people discussing Proust
Geneviève Fioraso, the French Minister of Higher Education started the debate because she is afraid that France is being left behind in the international ‘battle for brains’. She fears that French universities end up as places where “five people sit around a table discussing Proust”. Higher education has to open up says Fioraso and the language barrier makes it hard to attract foreign students, teachers and start joint-degree programs with universities from other countries. Read more...