State will pay for French lessons
Free tuition previously reserved for non-EU immigrants has been made available to all after a legal ruling.
EXPATS can get 200 hours of free French lessons, worth more than €3,000, following an anti-discrimination ruling.
France’s top equality watchdog La Halde has ruled against regulations barring EU citizens from a national government-subsidised programme of lessons for immigrants. This followed an application to La Halde from an unemployed Irishwoman.
A legal expert for the body, Sophie Latraverse, said: “It was agreed it was not acceptable for people to be excluded purely on nationality grounds and the body now overseeing the training scheme, L'Acsé, has changed its requirements.”
The training is aimed at helping new-comers integrate better in France if they lack language skills. You must be over 26, not schooled in France, a permanent resident and willing to take written and oral language tests to establish your level.
While the scheme's regulations and funding are coordinated by L'Acsé, regional bodies evaluate people and organise local classes.
The head of the assessment body for Aquitaine, Cathérine Tallet, said: “In the past it was stated the courses were reserved for those outside the EU.
“After the Halde case it was considered that this was discriminatory, so it has been agreed we can teach EU citizens. The rules are set nationally in Paris for everyone and we apply them to the letter. If a British person comes along, they can follow the course.”
She said in some cases there were waiting lists and priority was given to those with the greatest language needs and those seeking French nationality.
She added: “If you are working you may need to arrange time off as lessons often take place during the day. We can't guarantee 200 hours if you don't need it as we have a limited budget.”
She said in future the course could be geared more towards those seeking work but, at present, it was open to all regardless of working status. It was intended to be of practical use rather than just for pleasure, she said.
The training offered by L'Acsé should not be confused with that offered to new arrivals from outside of the EU through a contrat d'accueil et d'intégration (CAI) under which they must now have lessons if their French is poor as part of permission to stay in France.
The L’Acsé training has no obligatory element. La Halde noted the scheme now run by L’Acsé was aimed at “a very wide public” adding: “It was not contested that the applicant corresponded to the objectives defined by the regulations - to help integration of adult immigrants, legally resident in France and intending to stay long-term.”
A list of the regional assessment bodies can be found here.
Some readers have had difficulty with some of the centres listed and receptionists who only speak French. If this is the case we can only advise that you find a French speaker who can help you organise lessons. Please be aware that the free lessons are not an automatic right and that the government operates a priority system.
