Why I would choose FRE 124 a million times over given the chance

My first day into the FRE 124 class was nerve-wracking...I did not know what to expect from the lecturer or from the students I was to share the class with. It is always an agonizing and anxious experience when you don't know what to expect from a group of individuals you are meeting for the first time trying to make a good lasting first impression. I was particularly early this day hence I had ample time to polish my oral French skills so that in the event I am asked to speak before the class I do not embarrass myself by mumbling words.

The class started off like any other normal class with the casual introductions and the exchange of pleasantries. The lecturer then explained the schedule of how the 15 week long course was to run. The part that interested me most is that there was no written final exam but rather we were going to be graded according to the topical blog posts that we write after every topic covered. Interesting, right? It's been a while since blog posts actually accounted for a grade at the end of a semester. Another interesting fact about this class is that although it is a French introductory class, the class is purely taught in English with occasional translations of French vocabulary that creep in the conversations from time to time. Therefore, in order to join FRE 124 class, one does not necessarily have to be a guru in spoken as well as written French.

Like any other class, FRE 124 included research and presentations. The twist however was that you had to choose a topic that tickles your fancy, carry out extensive research on it only noting the points that captured your attention then share them with the rest of the class. Most presentations were about language, music, festivals and culture with the occasional preparation of dishes from countries that one was researching about. We also occasionally watched interesting films and listened to music in class as part of the course work for the semester. Now a class that actually requires you to watch films and listening to music is not worth missing.

Cooking for the class was a great experience that I will live to cherish. My first dish from Haiti was a combination of starch, vegetables, soup and meat all in one dish. My 'doubting Thomas' instincts compelled me to have someone taste the food first lest I present it to class and give my classmates a free ride to the hospital because of food poisoning. Upon "professional tasting and certification" that the food was fit for human consumption, I confidently took it to class where we all enjoyed eating it.
In terms of cooking, I would encourage anyone reading this to join the class because in most occasions FRE 124 will actually save you lunch money when it's food presentation day. Jokes aside, preparing dishes from African countries gives you an insight of how their food is prepared, why they use certain spices or vegetables and you are also able to learn the eating habits and patterns of the different countries.

Well apart from having the coolest most awesome lecturer in the entire campus (Dr. Wandia this is your cue to blush), we were nominated for the Best Education Blog category in the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) Awards. The competition was neck and neck between Strathmore and Daystar but at the end of the day Strathmore beat us to it. I did not sulk when I heard this because being nominated was a milestone in the first place so we have a higher chance of winning next time. Writing the blog posts is also a good opportunity to sharpen one's writing skills as with time one gets a hang on the writing and it becomes more of a basic necessity rather than an imposed obligation.


All in all, I would like to recommend FRE 124 to anyone who loves learning new things and having fun at the same time. FRE 124 gave me the opportunity to make new friends, people that I probably would have never interacted with and I am grateful for that. If you are a shy person who has difficulty expressing themselves, FRE 124 gives you the opportunity to break out of your shell and freely interact with the class as you share your interests. To my classmates Juliet, Mercy, Morris and Armand, thank you all for being my friends throughout the semester always finding time to check-up on one another and for eating my Soup Joumou with the diligence it required. To you Dr. Wandia, thank you for being the awesome lecturer who made FRE 124 a success and for constancy bringing treats to class.        

  

Why Others should take the class

In the language world, I have come to discover that any laguage is major tool of communication.
The French language being one of international languages, has currently been embrassed by many people due to the great influence of this language in the political world, religious and also business

During this class, I have come learn that the French language is spoken in different parts of the world but in different versions. And discovery of the differences has made the language fun, interesting and easier to learn.

We had learnt in this course how the French language has done a big impact in Madagascar until it gave birth to the Creole. The difference is not so big, but the pronunciation part of it will make you fall in love with French.

I have always wished to learn and know 6 languages and french has been the first one since I am from Democratic Republic of Congo, and the same language has been a great pillar to understand better other languages such as English, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.

For example the spanish language. It is much attached to French until you think that there are brothers. And because I had known French, this language became easier for me to speak and understand.

The same case to the Anglophone countries I have been to, French had quickly helped me in the understanding part of English even though I had to take time to learn and study English.

For you my Brother and Sister, reading this blog, I want to encourage you to learn this language just by presenting to you the following benefits of the french language.

1.     Knowing French will allow you not only to function but also to compete effectively in the global economy of the future. In many European countries, a second language is introduced in primary school and a third language, in middle school. International job applicants who are proficient in at least two languages will be at a distinct advantage in the global market. When you know French, you can be part of communications and transactions occurring daily in French on every continent.

2.     Speaking French will increase your job opportunities and salary potential. Knowledge of a second language is essential in over 60 occupations. More than 1,200 French companies have subsidiaries in the United States, and France is the largest recipient of U.S. foreign investment. France is a world leader in the development of modern telecommunications, a market with explosive growth potential. The European Union, the second largest trading bloc in the world, recognizes French as an official language. Think about the many job opportunities with the airlines, import-export companies and other international businesses. French is also a very useful language if you are thinking of working at the United Nations (where French is the second most widely-used language, after English) or for the United States Government in the foreign service. Here in the United States, when you know French, you could become a French teacher, an interpreter or a translator.

3.     Studying French increases your appreciation of other people and their cultures. French is the first or second language in more than 40 countries and is spoken by 125 million people on every continent. Because French is a foreign language of choice for so many people in the world, knowing French will also increase your chances of communicating in a non-English speaking country. You can use French to develop friendships, as well as to communicate via the Internet.

4.    French opens up an entire world of sporting events to enthusiasts. It is an official language used to announce events, winners, and medals at the Olympic Games, including the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. If you live near the Quebec border, you can also follow hockey and baseball games in French. Automobile races (Le Mans and Monte Carlo), horseracing (Longchamp), tennis tournaments (The French Open), and the Tour de France (long distance bicycle race) engage fans around the globe. When you know French, the international world of sports is open to you.

5.    Knowing French will improve your vocabulary in English. Some 40% to 50% of English vocabulary comes from French. The study of French will also enhance your grammar skills, and your increased proficiency in English will greatly improve your scores on the verbal section of the SAT and the ACT. As you develop greater skills in French, you also sharpen your skills in English.

6.    Learning a new language, like French, develops your critical and creative thinking skills. It will also increase your problem-solving skills and improve your memory, selfdiscipline, and self-esteem. Because progress is very easy to measure, you can quickly take pride in your new abilities. Knowing French can help you attain a number of important life skills.

7.     Proficiency in French will significantly improve your chances of being accepted to universities and graduate schools. In many scientific fields at the graduate level, most American institutions require a reading knowledge of French or German in order for scholars to be able to conduct research. France continues to be a leader and innovator in science and technology. Civil engineering (the "Chunnel" between England and France; the TGV (the world's fastest train), space/aeronautics (the Concorde, a FrancoBritish enterprise; the Ariane rocket, a Franco-European initiative), medical technologies (the isolation of the HIV virus), and telecommunications (the Minitel with more than 20,000 online services and micro-chip telephone cards) are just a few areas in which the French play a leadership role. Knowing French can open the doors to graduate school and important research.

8.     Using French enhances your travel abroad to Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and Africa.  After the United States, France is the second most visited tourist destination of the world. Paris was recently named by Fortune Magazine as one of the top ten "global cities." When you speak French, you can be an educated tourist, ask for directions, get your own hotel room or tell a French friend about the United States.

Paris Skyline    France booking guide


Eiffel Tower

9.      French is the language of culture, opening your door to art, music, dance, fashion, cuisine and cinema. As you quickly realize when you look at the foreign film section of your local video store, France is one of the most prolific producers of international films. The Cannes International Film Festival annually attracts the attention of the world when the best films, directors and actors are named. When you understand French, you don't have to rely on subtitles to enjoy a French film.

10.     French is the language of many great literary masterpieces. People around the world are familiar with Les Misérables, The Three Musketeers, 20 000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Little Prince and The Stranger. In fact, France has won more Nobel prizes for literature than any other country. The French are also admired for their great philosophers, such as Descartes, Pascal, Rousseau, Voltaire, Camus and Sartre. When you read French, you can enjoy these works and authors in the original language.

   Descartes        Pascal

Rousseau        Voltaire

  Camus     Jean Paul Sartre



 

Insight on Burkina Faso

BURKINA FASO

History
Burkina Faso was originally inhabited by the Bobo, Lobi and Gurunsi with the Mossi and Gurma migrating into the region later on. The land of the Mossi became a French protectorate in 1879 and became a separate colony in 1919 called the Upper Volta that was later partitioned among Niger, the Sudan and Cote d'Ivoire. Upper Volta later became independent on August 4th 1984  where they later changed the name to Burkina Faso meaning "the country of honorable people". 

 Back in 1984, Marxist and Burkinabe Military Captain  Thomas Sankara assumed power. He was a charismatic leader  who mobilized the masses to launch a massive development movement. 

Thomas Sankara believed in equality among all people and therefore ensured the equitable distribution of natural as well as man made resources. He believed in the policy of earning what you worked for which was seen as he still earned the salary of a Captain while he was the President of Burkina Faso. 

His children were also treated the same way as any other ordinary Burkinabe children attending public schools with their father, the President, taking them to school on a bicycle!

The measures taken by Thomas Sankara were met with growing resistance and resistance despite his initial popularity. Tension began to surface in the implementation of the revolutionary movement that eventually led to the assassination of Sankara in a coup which brought Blaise Compaore into power.  

 On Christmas day of 1985, Burkina Faso fought in a five-day war with Mali that saw the death of over 100 people in dispute over the mineral rich Agacher strip. The conflict ended after meditation by the then president of Cote d'Ivoire but the Christmas war is largely remembered in Burkina Faso today.

Language 

Burkina Faso is a multilingual country with an estimated 69 languages spoken all over the country. The official language is French which was introduced in the country during the colonial period. French is the principle language of administrative, political and judicial institutions, public service and the press. 

Education for the deaf in Burkina Faso uses American Sign Language though there is also an indigenous urban sign language in Ougadougou. 

Music

  

    The music of Burkina Faso includes folklore music of the over 60 different ethnic groups. Burkinabe traditional music has continued to thrive and musical output remains quite diverse. Popular music is mostly in French: Burkina Faso is yet to produce Pan-African success in terms of music. 

The national anthem of Burkina Faso "Une Seule Nuit" was written by Thomas Sankara .

The national Museum of Music in Ougadougou began collecting musical instruments like the balafon drums seen above in 1998 to preserve the rich history of Burkinabe music. 

The Semaine Nationale de la Culture, held every two years from 1983 is a musical festival that has helped produce popular music stars like Koudbi Koala. 

Popular traditional groups in Burkina Faso balafon bands,kora, percussion ensembles and others who use use elements relevant to Burkinabe music. 

The Kora, similar to the Nyatiti in Kenya is also one popular music instrument common in Burkina Faso. It initially featured seven strings until the Gambian griot Madi Woulendi increased the number twenty-one.

Fashion

 

 Masks occupy an important position in the religious life of Burkina Faso. The use of masks in initiation ceremonies and funerals is quite typical in Burkina Faso. Masks appear at burials to observe on behalf of the ancestors that proper burial procedures are carried out. 

Masks attend to honor the deceased and to verify that the spirit of the deceased has been received well into the spirit world. Without a proper funeral the spirit remains near the home haunting its descendants. 

Festivals

 

Bwaba dancing masks

The Bwa wooden masks represent different characters related to the myths of their families and clans.

The Bwa masks are chromatic white, red and black as predominant colors. 

The days of the dance, everybody sweeps their compounds then put on their best outfits awaiting the ceremony. 

Festima Festival

Great mask festival attended by around 40 villages each of them represented by their own chosen group of masks. 

This festival attracts tourists from as far as the capital Ougadougou. At that point the festival turns into a collective moment of socialization. This event also features story-tellers that are in competition to reveal their own talent.

Dancing masks in March and April where masks invoke the rain

Every year when it comes to the rainy season, villagers in Burkina Faso rely on the masks to get good rains. The masks are entrusted to act as intermediaries able to communicate directly with the gods. 

FESPACO (Festival of the African Cinema)

One of the most important festivities revealing the African cinema. It happens every two years in Ougadougou. This is a good time to travel to Burkina Faso if you are interested in cinematography as you will get the chance to meet other African as well as international movie enthusiasts. 

The festival was created in 1969 and it is celebrated every two years with the 24th edition being in 2015.