2nd Batch of Filipinos Complete Free French Lessons in Geneva
Overseas Filipinos sign up for free French lessons. (Geneva PM photo)
GENEVA 11 December 2019 — More than 70 overseas Filipinos successfully completed free French lessons during the annual celebration of Paskong Pinoy in Geneva on 07 December 2019 at the Philippine Consulate General in Geneva.
Conducted in partnership with Ugnayang Bayan, an umbrella association of Filipino organizations in the Swiss cantons of Geneva and Vaud, the French lessons were a continuation of the informal classes held at the Philippine Consulate General last year, when the partnership was forged to help Overseas Filipinos enhance their knowledge of French and better adapt to Swiss society.
The curriculum was initially developed by Charlemagne Hernandez and Helen Brunner, who had been giving out free lessons as a service to the Filipino community.
The first day of the French lessons on 05 October 2019 drew more than 100 Filipinos who took written and oral assessment tests to determine their level of proficiency. Based on the results, the participants were divided into two beginner groups and one intermediate group.
The lessons, which covered eight sessions held every Saturday from October to December 2019, was part of activities aimed at enhancing the skills of the community, including the Leadership Training Seminar for Filipino Community leaders held in September 2019.
Out of 72 overseas Filipinos who successfully finished the program, 24 received special citation for perfect attendance.
Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN and Other International Organizations in Geneva Ambassador Evan Garcia, congratulated the students and hailed the selfless effort and dedication of the volunteer teachers, noting that the program was a prime example of how volunteerism met the demand for learning in an arrangement that “empowered the Filipino community through the Filipino community.” END
Assisted by a volunteer teacher, participants take an assessment test to determine their proficiency in spoken French. (Geneva PM photo)
For more information, visit https://www.genevapm.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinGenevaUN/.