(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) There is an opportunity for French to become an influential language and the third language of choice in Oman Guilhem Constans director Omani-French Center (CFO) has said.
Speaking to Muscat Daily Constans said 'I think it's the right choice for Omanis looking at the position of the country its history.' He said France has intrinsic ties with Oman which can allow it to fill a growing need for foreign languages other than English.
'You can find people speaking Arabic and English not only in Oman but all over the Arab world' he said. 'So to make a difference a young Omani in the job market nowadays should have a third language.'
He said that French can become the third language of choice in the country. Due to Oman's presence in Africa up to 10000 Omanis who have re-migrated from Burundi speak French according to Constans. Nowadays French and German-speaking tourists represent the two largest segments of tourists to Oman he said.
He said that French is an official diplomatic language and is spoken in many countries. Traditionally France has had deep ties with countries in the Arab world such as the Maghreb (North Africa) and Lebanon. Constans said that French influence is now extending into the Gulf.
'What we're noticing across the Arabian Peninsula for the past few years is that many countries have made this choice to introduce French language in their public education system' he said.
Bahrain Qatar Saudi Arabia and Oman have all begun teaching French in their public schools. In a collaboration between the Ministry of Education (MoE) and CFO a pilot project has been in place since 2012 to teach French along with German as a third language. It is currently being taught in grades XI and XII in four public schools: two each in Muscat and Sohar.
'Every educational system has a minimum of two foreign languages taught in schools' he said. 'I think it's very important that this is developed in all schools - international and private ones included - and universities. Universities should offer students the opportunity to learn two three of maybe four languages.'
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