No money available to cover the overall costs of the organization, and in Brussels OIF made the language less accessible
by Emiliano Biaggio
The International Francophone Organization (OIF - Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie) lost its economic power and decided for a general haircut. In time of economic crisis and austerity the main institution for French diffusion and promotion had to act in line with contingency difficulties. So the Alliance française in Brussels reduced the number of classes because the OIF had no money to invest in French teaching. Thinking the main goal of both OIF and Alliance française is act in order to make French largely widespread, the decision adopted in 2014 are against the traditional objective of the same institution. But reality is the economic crisis is still biting, and the OIF case shows it clearly. For the first time ever, the Alliance française in Brussels started asking money to both journalists and diplomatics. Because of the EU institution both categories had special French language classes for free. In imposing fees there's nothing strange: in time of crisis is right to dismiss privileges, but clearly such a decision is another index of crisis.
To be honest, that OIF was changing policy it was clear already in 2012: at that time rules were revised in order to forbid full-lenght classes for free. Until 2012 both journalist and diplomatics had the possibility to follow for free without any French background knowledge. In other words, the could studying for free as beginners. Then, as already said, they started to be admitted to the free class only after have proven they already knew some French. Alliance française free courses have become available only for improvement, with beginners obliged to pay the normal lessons at full price. In 2014 changes arrived also for common people: because of lack of money, OIF cannot guarantee the same standards of the past. So, Alliance française Brussells had to reduce the number of classes, and in some cases courses were rearranged in a mixed formula offering 30 hours in class and 30 hours at home (the so called "part-time" formula). Furthermore, they made courses more expensive increasing fees for everybody. Waiting for better times...
The International Francophone Organization (OIF - Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie) lost its economic power and decided for a general haircut. In time of economic crisis and austerity the main institution for French diffusion and promotion had to act in line with contingency difficulties. So the Alliance française in Brussels reduced the number of classes because the OIF had no money to invest in French teaching. Thinking the main goal of both OIF and Alliance française is act in order to make French largely widespread, the decision adopted in 2014 are against the traditional objective of the same institution. But reality is the economic crisis is still biting, and the OIF case shows it clearly. For the first time ever, the Alliance française in Brussels started asking money to both journalists and diplomatics. Because of the EU institution both categories had special French language classes for free. In imposing fees there's nothing strange: in time of crisis is right to dismiss privileges, but clearly such a decision is another index of crisis.
To be honest, that OIF was changing policy it was clear already in 2012: at that time rules were revised in order to forbid full-lenght classes for free. Until 2012 both journalist and diplomatics had the possibility to follow for free without any French background knowledge. In other words, the could studying for free as beginners. Then, as already said, they started to be admitted to the free class only after have proven they already knew some French. Alliance française free courses have become available only for improvement, with beginners obliged to pay the normal lessons at full price. In 2014 changes arrived also for common people: because of lack of money, OIF cannot guarantee the same standards of the past. So, Alliance française Brussells had to reduce the number of classes, and in some cases courses were rearranged in a mixed formula offering 30 hours in class and 30 hours at home (the so called "part-time" formula). Furthermore, they made courses more expensive increasing fees for everybody. Waiting for better times...
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