Almost two months after the start of the Russian offensive in Ukraine, more than 540 Ukrainian refugees are in the Marne. To help them adapt, associations set up French language courses. This is the case of the Reims Catholic Relief Service, several sessions are organized per week for refugees from Ukraine, as there are already for refugees from other geographical areas.
If some sometimes speak English, this is not the case for all. These courses are therefore aimed at learning the basics of French. Marc-Daniel Seiffert, academic from Reims is one of the professors, for 5 years he has been teaching French to the Catholic relief, these courses are “a first aid kit” explains the teacher. “For the moment, we are going to basic things, but if they are to stay for a long time, it will take more advanced learning, especially for those who wish to do or resume studies.“, specifies Marc-Daniel Seiffert.
Clear your mind and not mope
But beyond learning a new language, these courses bring other things to the refugees, in this particular context of fleeing a war. “Being in a school setting is extremely reassuringsays Marc-Daniel Seiffert, it is finally a reassuring framework that they have known, it does them good I think“.
An argument shared by Iryna Korbut-Daudin, a Ukrainian living in France for 12 years, “it’s also a social act, it’s to change your mind and not be brooding from morning to night“.
On the side of the refugees, if the pronunciation of certain words is still a little hesitant, progress is rapid according to their teacher and it is also useful for adapting to France: “obviously learning French helps me integrate hereexplains Valerie, I think we should know the language of the country where we live even if it’s temporary […] it is useful to live as normally as possible“.