Villageois et Villageoises!

It was September, 2014. I arrived in a “village” called village français. The members of this community are addressed: “Villageois et villageoises” and in this, community, “On parle français”

The Nigeria French language Village, Ajara, Badagry, Lagos is a federal inter-university centre for French studies where different categories of people in different fields of works and studies come together to learn French for different purposes for a given period of time. This group includes: professionals, students from colleges of education, secondary school, university & others groups. At the end of the program, the students are issued a certificate to certify their acquisition of the language.

It was a privilege for me to be part of this “village” community to learn how to simply communicate in French, especially with French speakers, and to learn other rudiments in the French language, the French culture and civilization.

Was it easy? Oh non! Pas de tout! It was energy consuming just like learning any other language. Mais (but), I would quickly add here that French is a “Gender language” (my own description of it) the articles “La”, “Le” l’, “les” are matters of “Obligatoire” before every noun. Rules help. In some cases, one just has to learn it as it is and to say it as it is officially said.

On the other hand, it was quite an interesting experience for me. There were moments of amusement in class over mistakes during self presentation, expression or a particular subject matter in a group.

I learnt a lot from my mistakes and those of other students. As we usually sign in class, “le français est du belle langue ..............” It is important to note that French is one of the international languages that permits one to interact and relate widely and meaningfully in every sphere of life.

            I was opportune to meet different categories of people from other African Francophone countries, other ethic groups from Nigeria, other cultures. This multi-cultural group made the students colourful, interesting and beautiful. Just know that the students didn’t learn only la langue française, but other languages (indirectly).

It was a beautiful mixture of young people living and learning together peacefully, opposite to the experience of racism, war, nationalities, race, culture as we hear it in our world today.

The experience of living in the hostel was really that of a home where people were at ease with one another and were themselves. We celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, rejoiced over the birth of new born babies, cared for each other when sick and shared sorrows as well. In actual fact, the hostel was alive 24 hours a day.

The program of learning French included other interesting activities, excursions to a neighbouring Francophone country, films, Drama Quiz, debate, symposium, dance, music and song competitions among students all en français.

            Religious matters?  Bien sur! Our religious activities by various religious groups and denominations were very much part of our daily activities and with special activities at the end of the session such as: visit to an orphanage centre, a Rehabilitation centre with gifts, visits to some churches for prayer and thanksgiving.

On the whole, I so much appreciated the time I spent in Village Français du Nigeria, Badagry and I believe that the little progress I have made will be useful to me and to others. As I continue to make effort to communicate en français, I will certainly progressively improve.

Je suis tres reconnaissante a mes  professeurs et de ma Congregation, Filles du Sainte Esprit!

Sr. Helena Ugorji DHS