If a group of local community leaders and cultural activists get their way, Arnaudville, Louisiana, may soon become one of the most important centers of French language education in the United States. A recent National Endowment for the Arts grant, in addition to support from the St. Martin and St. Landry parish governments, has made possible the completion of a business plan for a French immersion school in Arnaudville. Under the proposed plan, the French language will be taught in addition to programs about the cultural and natural heritage of the area. Arnaudville, where one in eight residents still speaks French, was a natural choice for the location; and a former hospital building is slated to be converted into the language facility. Acadiana’s existing ties to the rest of the Francophone world, including its relationship with Belgian sister-city Namur, are expected to be an added asset.
Language immersion is simply defined as being taught how to speak a language through instruction presented in that language. While potentially challenging at first, this method is also considered the best method for developing proficiency or fluency in the target language.
Once the Arnaudville program is up and running, it is expected to become a major draw to the area, providing an economic and cultural boost as people who want to learn or perfect their French, as well as those interested in Acadiana’s history and culture, come to study at the immersion center.
The plans for the immersion center have proceeded under the direction of the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation, a non-profit that works, according to their mission statement, “to be a catalyst for the development and enhancement of the distinct cultural industries of Louisiana by promoting the economic health and quality of life of our cultural economy workforce.” For more on the LCEF’s work, please visit culturaleconomy.org.
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