Purpose: The EIF-FEL project, implemented by the City of Paris since 2016, aims to simplify and coordinate French language learning pathways. The initiative addresses three main challenges:
- Coordinate stakeholders involved in French language learning in order to offer, through linguistic assessments, the most appropriate language training based on each individual's level and social or professional objectives.
- To professionalise and equip all actors in contact with French language learners to better understand the challenges of assessment, the construction of training pathways, and the knowledge of the French language learning opportunities in Paris.
- To develop expertise on identified gaps and needs in French language learning and to share this with relevant associations and institutions to drive the development of services in response to evolving public needs.
Stimulus/Rationale: Paris offers a wide range of French language courses based on initiatives aimed at social independence and/or professional integration. The range of courses offered by different actors can be difficult to understand for users and for the people who support them in their social and professional integration. This offer, which consists of a spectrum of training programmes offered by different actors, needs to be mobilised in a structured and coherent way in order to provide safe learning pathways. In addition, needs change with the arrival of new migrants (Afghanistan, Ukraine, etc.), which means that language training needs to be constantly adapted to those emerging needs. Thus, despite the wealth and diversity of provision, many needs remain unmet. The EIF-FEL project is helping to coordinate learning pathways to fill these gaps.
Process: The EIF-FEL Network is organised around three main activities:
- Coordination of the assessment centres: These centres, run by partner associations, receive candidates, assess their language skills and propose tailor-made French learning paths. They work with referrers, guidance counsellors and training organisations to monitor beneficiaries’ progress and develop coherent learning pathways. These centres also monitor the evolving needs and provision of French language learning.
- Training for those working with learners: These training sessions are aimed at guidance counsellors, professional and volunteer trainers and education coordinators. They aim to equip participants with tools focused on the challenges of assessment, the construction of training pathways and knowledge of the Parisian language offer.
- Coordination of the network of actors: the City of Paris coordinates this network by distributing a newsletter and organising partnership meetings. There are three types of meeting:
- An annual meeting of the members of the EIF-FEL Charter to take stock of the work carried out by the centres.
- Two annual institutional meetings bringing together operational partners, public actors and the public employment service to develop network engineering.
- Two or three annual meetings are also organised for training course participants to encourage the exchange of good practices and knowledge.
Impact: The project welcomes and orients individuals to benefit from an initial linguistic assessment, followed by recommendations for language training, or even direct referral to targeted French courses. Their progress will then be monitored to help them follow up on the recommendations and encourage effective entry into training programmes. In addition, those involved in this French language learning journey are better equipped to help beneficiaries navigate towards training options tailored to their needs and to ensure follow-up of their progress. Finally, the networking aspect promotes mutual understanding between those involved in the project and the exchange of practices, ultimately improving the support provided to beneficiaries.
The 75% funding from the European AMIF (Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund) has had a leverage effect on the project, which has gradually been extended to eight arrondissements.
Key reference documents:
- The website of the EIF-FEL Network: https://www.reseau-eiffel.fr/ (French only)
