On Tuesday, April 30, 2013, under the auspices of University President, Rami Hamdallah, An-Najah’s French Department in cooperation with the French Consulate in Jerusalem held a conference entitled, “What is the Future of French Language Education in Palestinian Universities?” The conference, held in the Korean-Palestinian IT Institute of Excellence, welcomed representatives from the French Consulate and professors and students of the French language from numerous Palestinian universities including, Hebron University, Bethlehem University, Bir Zeit University, Jerusalem University, and Palestine Polytechnic University. Representatives from Al-Aqsa University in Gaza and from the International Organisation of the Francophonie in Beirut also joined the conference over video feed.       

Dr. Maha Atma offered a welcome address on behalf of the conference organizing committee. Dr. Atma noted that the conference marked the first time Palestinian universities met to discuss French language education. She indicated that the proceedings aimed to evaluate French language teaching in Palestine, identifying both strengths and weaknesses, and outlining a path to reach effective benchmarks for further development of French language teaching in Palestine.

The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Dr. Khalil, addressed conference participants as well. He discussed how learning a foreign language can open the door to another world—a world which often differs from one’s own world culturally and intellectually. Such learning can provide a bridge for understanding and a step forward in the conversation between different cultures. Dr. Khalil raised a number of questions including, why Palestinian students learn French today, how French competes with other foreign languages, and whether Palestinian universities have fulfilled their requirements in French-language education.   

Dr. Kherieh Rassas, the University President’s Assistant for International Affairs, spoke to conference participants regarding the idea for the seminar. She discussed how she initiated the conference idea in collaboration with the French Consulate in order to assemble all different types of organisations working in French language instruction in Palestine with the aim of understanding the current reality of French instruction in Palestine. Dr. Rassas pointed to the need for a new direction in French language teaching, a direction that would meet language learners’ needs and encourage students in both their study and in their professional use of French.

Ms. Fanchon Cadreau spoke to participants on behalf of the French Consulate. After expressing her excitement at the meeting of professors and students of French in Palestine, Ms. Cadreau reminded participants of the French Consulate’s continued efforts to support exchange including through providing training courses for instructors of French and language courses for students. Additionally, Ms. Cadreau mentioned the Consulate’s scholarship offerings and opportunities for Palestinians to work as Arabic-language instructors in France.  

Speaking from Beirut Dr. Salwa Naquzi, Director of the Middle East Office for the International Organisation of the Francophonie, discussed cooperation between her organisation and An-Najah University. She talked about the idea to create a master’s program in French language translation at An-Najah University and the participation of Arab universities, including An-Najah, in an annual French literature competition held in Beirut.

Following Dr. Naquzi’s comments, Ms. Aliyah An-Nimr, Director of the Ministry of Education’s General Education Department in Nablus, spoke about cooperative efforts between the Ministry and the French Consulate around the teaching of French language in public schools.   

Finally, each participating university presented on its conception of French language instruction, including student testimonials regarding learning experiences.

The conference concluded with recommendations for future cooperation between Palestinian universities and the suggestion for French language instruction geared to encouraging professional opportunities.