We noted the NRK Sørlandet article with concern about the sharp decline of French in Kristiansand schools – a development that, of course, does not make us happy. But today, we want to highlight a more optimistic side of the story:
- French is one of the three languages with the strongest international growth projections. According to OIF (International Organisation of La Francophonie), the number of French speakers will grow from around 320 million today to between 470 and 750 million by 2070.
- French is truly a global language. It is an official language in 29 countries, one of the six official languages of the UN, and a major working language in the EU, UNESCO, OECD, and NATO. Learning French is therefore an investment in the future – socially, culturally, and professionally.
- We want to celebrate all French teachers in Norway, who every day spread the joy of language, culture, and communication. You have our full support! Together, we will continue to prove that French is useful, global, and no more difficult nor less relevant than any other language.
Let’s keep working together to ensure that the love and joy of French continues to grow in Norway – in classrooms, in society, and in every day life!
(If you are a French teacher in Norway, don’t forget to join the Association of French Teachers in Norway!)
