Immensely proud to announce the release of Mosaic of Tongues: Multilingual Learning for the Arabic-speaking World. This new book offers a comprehensive exploration into the multifaceted realm of multilingual education within Arabic-speaking communities and beyond. It delves into the intricate journey towards bilingualism, the intersection of language and identity among diaspora populations, and the social … Continue reading New book: Mosaic of Tongues
Rencontre au Salon du livre de Montréal – Un rendez-vous à ne pas manquer pour les passionnés du bilinguisme! En dédicace lors du Salon du livre de Montréal, j’ai le grand plaisir de vous inviter à me rejoindre pour une rencontre exceptionnelle. C’est une opportunité unique de discuter ensemble de la richesse du plurilinguisme et … Continue reading En dédicace au Salon du livre de Montréal
I was thrilled to participate in the symposium on Arabic Language Learning in Europe: Realities of Policy & Practice, which took place in Brussels on May 8-9. As a language enthusiast, I have always been interested in the importance of language learning in education policies. I believe that the recognition of Arabic as the fifth most spoken language in the world is a significant development that warrants attention from language educators and policymakers.
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Exciting news for language and education enthusiasts! A Bilingual Revolution for Africa, a new book examining the potential of multilingual education across Africa, has just been released. This book, edited by Ayé Clarisse Hager-M’Boua and myself, brings together educators, researchers, and actors on the ground to explore the benefits of dual-language education in various sectors and countries of Africa.
The book’s preface is written by Yao Ydo, Director of UNESCO International Bureau of Education, while the introduction is written by Ayé Clarisse and I. The book is divided into four parts, each containing essays on various topics related to bilingual education in Africa.
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I am thrilled to share that I have been invited to be a special guest at the 14th edition of Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF23) in the United Arab Emirates. On behalf of Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) and its chairman Mr. Ahmad Al Ameri, I was extended an invitation to participate in the festival that is scheduled to take place from May 03 to 14, 2023.
As an author, educator, and an advocate for bilingual education, I am very excited to share my work and knowledge with the festival attendees. I have been asked to be part of a distinct discussion titled ‘The importance of raising a trilingual generation: Children with three languages.’ I am thrilled to share my expertise in this area and hope to benefit the thousands of readers and visitors who attend the festival every year.
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The Center for the Advancement of Languages, Education, and Communities has announced the following call for papers. In this book, we wish to examine the potential of multilingual education across the countries of Africa and in diverse sectors. Authors are invited to present an essay about the local applications of various models of dual-language education and the ways to encourage their growth and scale. This book will seek to offer a positive and constructive vision for the future and will try to combat the myths and received ideas about bilingualism and education in Africa, namely, ignorance and obstacles that have retarded the development of dual-language education as a strategy for inclusiveness and equity as well as a means to achieve economic growth and develop human capital within Africa’s multilingual environments. The goal of the Bilingual Revolution is to advocate for a multilingual education for all, but to do so, we must raise the awareness about the importance and the advantages of multilingual education, including African languages used as teaching languages for the basis of education, for Africa and to reach as many people as possible. One is allowed to dream, and so, each author submitting a paper to become a chapter of this book is invited to share his or her dream for the future of education on the continent.
Continue reading “A Bilingual Revolution for Africa – Call for Papers”Global C.R.E.D. brought together language learners from around the globe who want to grow and use their language skills. This live-streamed broadcast event connected learners with educators, learning and testing organizations, and companies that can provide career opportunities. Over 2,000 participants from 64 countries joined this two-day conference. This was my contribution. Watch the recording.
Distance learning is difficult, but there’s an extra layer of complexity when our students are non-native speakers in a dual immersion program. In this panel, we learned from parents who have navigated distance learning while supporting their students in their learning. We also heard from school principals and teachers who have supported families in remote and hybrid learning during the pandemic.
On October 2, I was thrilled to join Council Member Ben Kallos, French Consul Jérémie Robert, Community Education Council President Maud Maron, parents, teachers, and school administrators for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate two new French dual language classes that have opened at the District 2 Pre-K Center located at 355 East 76th Street in Manhattan. The joyous occasion for the families who attended the ribbon cutting and for all supporters comes after a very dedicated group of parents, including members of the Francophone community from Canada, Africa, and France, met with more than two hundred families who pledged to send their children to a French dual language program in Manhattan if one was created. I particularly congratulate the incredible efforts put forth by parents such as Stéphane Lautner, Catherine Rémy, and Nadia Levy who have kept the torch of the Bilingual Revolution burning in Manhattan even during these tough times. The French dual language classes began on September 21st with seats for 36 pre-K students. The Department of Education will operate these classes using a side-by-side instructional model where it will have one Early Childhood-certified teacher who is fluent in French and who has or will work towards a bilingual extension, alongside a second Early Childhood-certified teacher.
Here are quotes from some of the participants as well as a news report and additional photos and links.
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St. John’s University hosted my talk on the Bilingual Revolution and the future of education and I enjoyed every minute of it! I was asked to present in French so that everyone in the audience, which included students and faculty from all over the world, could put themselves through an immersive experience in a language that was not theirs. Professor Puig was there to provide some translation when I felt the students needed some help. This bilingual talk idea worked out well. The students seemed to play along and accepted the challenge. They experienced bilingual education firsthand. The next day, I heard from one student from Colombia who said she was able to understand everything. This is what she writes: “I took two courses [of French] in college but until last night I had not been able to prove to myself whether or not I could actually understand the language in a real life setting – and I could….” Kudos to Dean Katia Passerini and Basilio G. Monteiro for coming up with this idea and for inviting me. You might have started a new kind of experience!
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FABRICE JAUMONT 