Recognition of professional French communication skills in different parts of the world - Casanova

Presenter: Dominique Casanova, CCIP Le Français des affaires, France
The increasing professional mobility of individuals and the professional integration of migrants should favor the development of teaching, learning and assessment of language communication skills in a professional context. But there are few public policies relating to linguistic competence in a professional context in French-speaking European countries. Migration or integration policies mainly rely on training and assessing general language skills.
It is most often the Professional Orders which are responsible for verifying the linguistic competence before giving access to the profession, particularly in the field of health. It is particularly the case in Quebec, where the Office Québécois de la Langue Française has developed exams for the 46 professional orders.
In the absence of specific requirements, certifications in professional French find their audience more among technical or university training establishments. French language, which until recently was taught as a cultural language, is in fact increasingly seen as an asset allowing one to broaden one’s professional horizons or differentiate oneself in the job market.
Business French has therefore developed a system aimed at creating a climate favorable to the development of professional French, both in an educational context and in professional training. This system includes strategic support for institutions wishing to develop course offers in professional French (Les clés du français pro), support for teachers for the construction of a course in professional French (L’essentiel du français professionnel), the provision of a bank of resources in French for specific purposes (Numerifos) and the offer of a range of certifications of professional French skills (Les diplômes de français professionnel).