The Approach to Languages and International Studies in Two French Graduate Schools

Abstract

We are witnessing today in international exchange a period of activity so intense that the traditional structures which formerly governed the relations between nations no longer seem up to the task. Technological progress has intensified these relations to an extent barely anticipated until recently by even the most vigilant. In answer to new requirements, new initiatives aimed at dealing with the increasingly varied aspects of international communication are multiplying, a situation from which France is not exempt. Both a new awareness and the need for a specific intensive training for international relations is now recognised, and several important examples of training in different sectors of activity ought to be made better known if only to encourage a full free debate on such relations and, as a result, progress in the way they are taught. Among the many disciplines which the specialist in international relations should master, languages and civilisation studies, theories and techniques of communication should have high priority. The attention devoted to them in two French graduate schools, very different in their recruitment and in the curricula followed by their pupils, may serve as an illustration. Since it was founded in 1945, the Ecole Nationale d'Administration (ENA) has accorded the subject of international relations the recognition it deserves. Foreign languages, of course, formed part of the curricula for the competitive entry examination and the final grading tests, and were also studied extensively during the schoolyear. Even if over the years the modern language coefficient has hardly varied, the number of languages open to candidates for the entry examination and to students attending the school has, of late, greatly increased. Seven languages were listed in the entrance examination syllabus in 1945. Today, in 1983, the following 13 languages are open to candidates: Arabic, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, English, German, modern Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. The range of languages which the students can study at the School is slightly greater. In addition to the above 13 languages, Indonesian, Polish and Turkish are further possible options. For all these the School provides reasonably good methods, which are, however, always adapted to the needs of French speakers. Although a few other languages are also occasionally taught at beginner's level, they are generally offered at more advanced levels to those who have already studied them. They include Czech, Hindi, Serbo-Croat and Swedish, for which teaching materials are scarce or, when they do exist, are ill-adapted to the needs of French speakers. Over the years, student interest in foreign languages has been steadily growing for a number of reasons including cultural interest, career management or simply academic accident. While school regulations stipulate that all students must learn at