Egypt-France Geography

French language education in Egypt has been present since the 19th century when French was the lingua franca of the Egyptian elite. Since then, it has evolved, reflecting shifts in Egypt's socio-political environment and international relations. Today, French is the second most taught foreign language in Egypt, after English, and is a prominent feature of the country's education system.

History

French language education began in Egypt during the era of Ibrahim Pasha.[1] Recognizing the strategic importance of the French language for Egypt's modernization, he sent Egyptian students to France to learn the language and bring back modern technical skills. French influence was further reinforced during the Suez Canal construction, which attracted French engineers and workers to the country.[2][3]

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, French language and culture became highly influential among the Egyptian elite. French schools, such as the Lycée Français du Caire, founded in 1906, and the Collège de la Sainte Famille, founded in 1879, became the educational institutions of choice for the upper class.[4]

Following the Egyptian Revolution in 1952, the government sought to promote Arabic and English over French. However, the prestige associated with French education persisted, and French schools continued to attract students from all social classes.[5]

Contemporary status

In the modern era, French language education is still a prominent part of the Egyptian education system. It's estimated that over 50,000 students are studying in French schools across Egypt, and French is taught as a second language in many other schools.[6]

Several institutions, such as the French University in Egypt (Université Française d'Égypte), established in 2002, offer programs entirely in French, spanning disciplines from engineering to arts and humanities. The French Institute in Egypt (Institut français d'Égypte) also plays a significant role in promoting French language and culture.

Cultural impact

French language education has fostered a unique Francophone community within Egypt and contributed to the development of a hybrid culture that combines elements of French and Egyptian traditions. This cultural fusion is particularly visible in areas such as literature, cinema, and the arts of the modern-day Egypt.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kendall, Elisabeth (2002-12-31), "15. Between Politics and Literature: Journals in Alexandria and Istanbul at the End of the Nineteenth Century", Modernity and Culture from the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, 1890-1920, Columbia University Press, pp. 330–343, doi:10.7312/fawa11426-018, ISBN 9780231114271, retrieved 2023-05-12
  2. ↑ Karabell, Zachary (2004). Parting the Desert: The Creation of the Suez Canal. Vintage. ISBN 037570812X.
  3. ↑ Peters, Erin A. (2009). The Napoleonic Egyptian Scientific Expedition and The Nineteenth-Century Survey Museum. Seton Hall University.
  4. ↑ Gillispie, Charles Coulston (December 1989). "Scientific Aspects of the French Egyptian Expedition". 133 (4): 447–474. JSTOR 986871. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ↑ Prakash, Archana (2018-07-04). "Reappraising the French role in nineteenth-century Egyptian education". Middle Eastern Studies. 54 (4): 537–554. doi:10.1080/00263206.2018.1441147. ISSN 0026-3206. S2CID 148846434.
  6. ↑ "Egyptian-French historical, contemporary relations". EgyptToday. 2017-10-23. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  7. ↑ TASCHEN (2007). Description de L'Egypte (in French). TASCHEN. ISBN 978-3822837757.
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