Defending and promoting the French language in English-speaking territory has never been easy, at all latitudes. In 1928, the consul of France in Hong Kong already working in this direction.
In 2008, academic exchanges, cooperation between universities, scholarships, curricula Erasmus, the "Plans for the defense of the French" and the actions within the Francophonie, are involved in promoting the French language. 80 years ago, the task proved more difficult and more limited range of ways, but not without results, as reported by the then Consul of France. In a despatch of December 4, 1928, Georges de la Prade Dufaure responds to an investigation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just launched (even then!) On the situation of French in the country territories are located and where the embassies and consulates in France. The consul gave an update on the French settlements but also on "local schools and universities abroad. His letter thus provides valuable information about educational opportunities in Hong Kong in 1928, both in primary and secondary schools, French and foreign, to the university.
The "two institutions founded by our compatriots, St Joseph's College for boys and the French Convent for girls [...] give to the French language in place that allow them maximum official programs. Thus, At St Joseph's College, a school founded by the Paris Foreign Missions, "with a population of 850 students, Chinese, Portuguese mixed blood known Macaïstes and forty Europeans [...] the French language is compulsory from the 4th for all students who do not follow the course of Chinese or Portuguese. The hours of French data are the same hours as the courses of Chinese and Portuguese. At Frenchies Convent school, "265 students including 175 Chinese and 90 foreign", founded by the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, the situation is similar. Instead of French is satisfactory in both "French schools" Hong Kong is notable, home to a very small proportion of European students (less than 5% for St Joseph's). In
schools within the "local foreign initiatives," the consul noted that "the official programs make no special place in French primary schools [...] with the exception of the primary school called" Peak School where French is compulsory (where) in grades 9th, 8th, 7th, teaching has half past one week in French. In the 6th teaching of French is focused at half past two week. " For the sixth highest class of such institutions 'foreign', the Dufaure Prade stresses that "Children were then 10 to 11 years, so they leave Hong Kong after their sixth year and continue their studies in England, those who remain Hong Kong can complete their studies at the Central British School.. "
In "High School girls and boys (foreign), French is optional. An exception exists, however, the Central British School, under the Government of Hong Kong, where French is mandatory. In college Hong Kong finally, "French is optional.
After this overview of the education system in Hong Kong, Consul assess the status of the teaching of French in the colony: "the place of French is not very important, with busy schedules as they are with customers almost exclusively Chinese schools in Hong Kong and of little practical use that this necessarily those Chinese knowledge of the French language, one can only hope that this place could grow substantially; However, instead of French is appreciated and one can say that there tend to increase at stagnation. " Finding somewhat disillusioned but with a hint of optimism ...
This optimism is reflected in the study made on the consul must pass exams that students and students from Hong Kong. He noted as well that the "matriculation examination, which corresponds to our bachelor, has as an optional subject review of modern language - other than English, which is mandatory." French and Portuguese can be chosen as a foreign language, without notifying the university while the choice of requires other language to warn the university six months in advance and "this condition indicates already a primacy of the French language. This rule is further underlined by the fact that for the French alone, there is provided an oral exam required for candidates seeking a Distinction ", viaticum valuable for the university.
After these mixed on the role of French in Hong Kong, Consul examines the situation of teachers who teach French in the "foreign" is to say not managed by the French religious orders. And he considers the situation concern in more ways than one. He lamented that "the French teachers at all three levels (primary, secondary and university) are not of French nationality, there is no Belgian or Swiss, a schoolteacher, born in France, teaches in a school of Government, She graduated from the Faculty of Aix (Bachelor letters, complete, philosophy). " In addition, teachers of French "are not required to do internships in France, Belgium or Switzerland, in general, classes are taught in preference to teachers who made such courses, whose duration is not limited . La Francophonie, to be institutionalized before, is already present in the analysis made by the consul when he refers to teachers of French Belgian or Swiss, with the notable exception of those in Canada ... Dufaure La Prade also cites a letter Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong, too, regretted the lack of French teachers, which requires him to teach while "(he) has no qualification in The Teaching of French Other than a love of Everything French year and Enthusiasm for The Language and literature of France. "
concerns of the consul of France in 1928 are therefore very close to those of its successors and those of cultural attaches who have succeeded since then. The French, after English and Chinese, and far behind those languages, in 1928, occupies first place among the languages taught in Hong Kong. Already facing problems in the number of teachers and their training. 80 years ago, the defense and promotion of French in Hong Kong, a long breath, then asked already means, motivation and perseverance ....
In 2008, academic exchanges, cooperation between universities, scholarships, curricula Erasmus, the "Plans for the defense of the French" and the actions within the Francophonie, are involved in promoting the French language. 80 years ago, the task proved more difficult and more limited range of ways, but not without results, as reported by the then Consul of France. In a despatch of December 4, 1928, Georges de la Prade Dufaure responds to an investigation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just launched (even then!) On the situation of French in the country territories are located and where the embassies and consulates in France. The consul gave an update on the French settlements but also on "local schools and universities abroad. His letter thus provides valuable information about educational opportunities in Hong Kong in 1928, both in primary and secondary schools, French and foreign, to the university.
The "two institutions founded by our compatriots, St Joseph's College for boys and the French Convent for girls [...] give to the French language in place that allow them maximum official programs. Thus, At St Joseph's College, a school founded by the Paris Foreign Missions, "with a population of 850 students, Chinese, Portuguese mixed blood known Macaïstes and forty Europeans [...] the French language is compulsory from the 4th for all students who do not follow the course of Chinese or Portuguese. The hours of French data are the same hours as the courses of Chinese and Portuguese. At Frenchies Convent school, "265 students including 175 Chinese and 90 foreign", founded by the Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres, the situation is similar. Instead of French is satisfactory in both "French schools" Hong Kong is notable, home to a very small proportion of European students (less than 5% for St Joseph's). In
schools within the "local foreign initiatives," the consul noted that "the official programs make no special place in French primary schools [...] with the exception of the primary school called" Peak School where French is compulsory (where) in grades 9th, 8th, 7th, teaching has half past one week in French. In the 6th teaching of French is focused at half past two week. " For the sixth highest class of such institutions 'foreign', the Dufaure Prade stresses that "Children were then 10 to 11 years, so they leave Hong Kong after their sixth year and continue their studies in England, those who remain Hong Kong can complete their studies at the Central British School.. "
In "High School girls and boys (foreign), French is optional. An exception exists, however, the Central British School, under the Government of Hong Kong, where French is mandatory. In college Hong Kong finally, "French is optional.
After this overview of the education system in Hong Kong, Consul assess the status of the teaching of French in the colony: "the place of French is not very important, with busy schedules as they are with customers almost exclusively Chinese schools in Hong Kong and of little practical use that this necessarily those Chinese knowledge of the French language, one can only hope that this place could grow substantially; However, instead of French is appreciated and one can say that there tend to increase at stagnation. " Finding somewhat disillusioned but with a hint of optimism ...
This optimism is reflected in the study made on the consul must pass exams that students and students from Hong Kong. He noted as well that the "matriculation examination, which corresponds to our bachelor, has as an optional subject review of modern language - other than English, which is mandatory." French and Portuguese can be chosen as a foreign language, without notifying the university while the choice of requires other language to warn the university six months in advance and "this condition indicates already a primacy of the French language. This rule is further underlined by the fact that for the French alone, there is provided an oral exam required for candidates seeking a Distinction ", viaticum valuable for the university.
After these mixed on the role of French in Hong Kong, Consul examines the situation of teachers who teach French in the "foreign" is to say not managed by the French religious orders. And he considers the situation concern in more ways than one. He lamented that "the French teachers at all three levels (primary, secondary and university) are not of French nationality, there is no Belgian or Swiss, a schoolteacher, born in France, teaches in a school of Government, She graduated from the Faculty of Aix (Bachelor letters, complete, philosophy). " In addition, teachers of French "are not required to do internships in France, Belgium or Switzerland, in general, classes are taught in preference to teachers who made such courses, whose duration is not limited . La Francophonie, to be institutionalized before, is already present in the analysis made by the consul when he refers to teachers of French Belgian or Swiss, with the notable exception of those in Canada ... Dufaure La Prade also cites a letter Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong, too, regretted the lack of French teachers, which requires him to teach while "(he) has no qualification in The Teaching of French Other than a love of Everything French year and Enthusiasm for The Language and literature of France. "
concerns of the consul of France in 1928 are therefore very close to those of its successors and those of cultural attaches who have succeeded since then. The French, after English and Chinese, and far behind those languages, in 1928, occupies first place among the languages taught in Hong Kong. Already facing problems in the number of teachers and their training. 80 years ago, the defense and promotion of French in Hong Kong, a long breath, then asked already means, motivation and perseverance ....
CR.
Sources: Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nantes.
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