French: Third Language for Sabah Students

French, being second most widely learned foreign language after English, gives various benefits such as having an advantage in the international job market.

The French Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysia-France University Centre, and Sekolah Menengah (SM) St Michael Penampang, through the Ministry of Education, initiated the program “France @ Borneo” on 10 May 2016 .

“The programme is aimed at highlighting the importance of mastering foreign language, French in particular, which would not only enable them to converse in the language, but also provide them with the opportunity to further their studies in France, as well as other French-speaking countries,” said Nicolas Gouletquer, French ambassador to Malaysia.

Based on performance and the ability of graduates to find jobs, Paris was ranked first in the QS Top University ranking. Gouletquer added since education is free in France, students are only required to pay a registration fee of not more than RM1,500 to obtain a diploma in any field for an affordable cost.

Six out of eight schools in Sabah offering French language took part in the programme: SM St Michael, SM Sains Labuan, SM Sains Lahad Datu, SM Sains Kota Kinabalu, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sanzac and SMK Elopura Sandakan.

SM St. Michael, which has been teaching the language for five years, is attending the programme for the first time. Gouletquer explained that the various programmes were held in Malaysia, but most were hosted in Kuala Lumpur and only few in Sabah.

To further promote their language, Gouletquer is planning to set up “Allaince Francaise” which is a non-profit organization devoted in French culture.
According to Gouletquer, the growing interest in French Language and culture lead to his plans and would make Sabah serves as a French Hub in East Malaysia.  Thus, learning French would serve as a good investment that will lead students to more international opportunities.

Source: www.theborneopost.com