Numerous attempts have been made to understand the fundamental mechanisms of foreign language learning and creativity that constitute a significant aspect of cognition. As we know, Foreign Language French is a popular choice by the Indian students. So, here, we will be talking about the beneficial aspects of a career path in this direction. According to several academicians, creativity can be characterized as the capacity to create work that is original and flexible in light of the requirements of the task or the circumstances. Numerous scholars from across the world investigated the connection between language learning and creativity. Foreign language learning falls within this parameter. For an Indian who is a polyglot by nature, learning a further language enhances communication skill; it makes him marketable nationally and internationally. As opined by several linguists and academicians, multilinguals are thought to be cognitively superior to monolinguals.
Prominent linguist Noam Chomsky makes the point that learning a language promotes cognitive flexibility, varied thought, and the creative expression of experiences. In the process of teaching-learning of language, technology can be a great help yet the cognitive practices are imposed by human brain. Human intelligence is unique because it is favored by abstract emotions like self-awareness, passion, and motivation that enable humans to accomplish complex cognitive tasks. Additionally, Chomsky stated that from a finite set of rules humans can make an infinite number of grammatically well-formed sentences of a language. Generative grammar is a formalized expression of people's competence where ‘infinite’ reflects the creative aspect of human language.
French is the third most popular language on the Internet, ahead of Spanish, after English and German. The five continents are home to more than 300 million French speakers. French is the fifth most spoken language in the world and the second most popular foreign language after English. French is often considered the language of culture of the biggest cultural international network that facilitates language learning for close to a million learners.
With the onset of the global pandemic of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the educational sector has been facing several challenges. New practices were sparked off by the abrupt transition from traditional classroom settings to online learning, which helped teachers develop new techniques and approaches. With the French Embassy’s initiative to conduct several teacher-training programs focusing on MOOCs and technology-driven pedagogical tools during the COVID-19 crisis , these came as a boon in the teaching-learning community in French language. French language teaching has been supported by several ICT-based tools.
A limitless zest for task-based and skill-oriented learning rather than rote memorizing is fostered by technology-assisted language learning. In order to improve proficiency and performance in the teaching and learning of foreign languages, a wide range of authentic online learning resources, captivating videos, web-based interactivity, adaptable language software, discussion forums, Skype, Twitter, several apps, Internet mobiles, Facebook, and YouTube have become pervasive tools. With these effective tools, the intercultural aspects of India and France become more accessible. Learning French as a foreign language (FLE) is often accompanied by the adoption of cultural values. Learning French as a foreign language makes a person knowledgeable and facilitates holistic development. This learning process helps in crossing the boundaries and transcending the border of his own culture and penetrating into the other understanding that he belongs to one of the various communities of the world. This sense of belongingness helps the person to understand the world better and at the same time, he can get placed in multinational corporates.
Amity School of Languages, Amity University Rajasthan cater to a number of French learners doing French for Hotel Management, French for Tourism, French for Business Management, French for Technology depending on their domain of study. There are also BA (Hons.) French students get an opportunity to study several inter-disciplinary courses, translation and science of language as well as French literature and literature of other French-speaking countries. It gives them an opportunity to know the issues and aesthetics of the French Culture from a close quarter.
A well-equipped language laboratory gives all the students an outstanding opportunity for oral and auditory exercises with the help of highly sophisticated software. It provides the students with the opportunity to practice speaking in the target language and hear the language spoken by a native speaker. In short, language laboratory is a very comprehensive and cost-effective tool for the students’ effective language learning via the latest technology and educational content.
During his visit to India, in 2018, the Honorable President of the French Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron welcomed more mobility of students between France and India. The two nations' shared interest in the arts and culture has substantially increased, and artists from both nations are increasingly keen to work together. The Bonjour India festival has been holding a number of events across India since March 2022 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India's independence. India is in charge of planning the Namaste France celebration. At the Paris Book Festival in 2022, India served as the Guest of Honor. Amity School of Languages, Amity University Rajasthan provides a wonderful opportunity for the students to learn French under the guidance of experienced teachers who are well connected to the performing organizations in India such as French Embassy, French Institute of India or Campus France and their high officials as well as national and French HEIs planning webinars and FDPs together to cater to the students’ needs. They also have several collaborations in the form of Students Exchange Programs to France. Substantial linguistic evidence, highly structured course design, and student-centric approach to teaching-learning encourage budding minds to reach a high level of proficiency leading to critical thinking and understanding of the world and business. The university promises to do more in the field of language learning and cognitive development.