Visit to France by Mr. Jay Dardenne, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana (October 17)

Yamina Benguigui, Minister Delegate for Francophonie received Mr. Jay Dardenne, Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana. Several educational, linguistic and cultural agreements between France and Louisiana were signed on this occasion.

These cooperation agreements notably included:

– an initial training program for francophone Louisiana teachers in partnership with French universities,

– the creation of a quality label for immersion schools and the extension of the immersion model to high schools with the development of vocational training programs that meet the specific requirements of the local economy,

– the certification of students’ language proficiency through a French diploma.

This strengthening of educational and linguistic cooperation marks an important step in the cooperation initiated with Louisiana 40 years ago.

The popularity of French language immersion schools in the area confirms close cultural ties existing between France and Louisiana. Many French au pairs who participate in APIA program bring French culture and language into the local host families’ homes too.