Ratu Navula College in Nadi is now the third school to receive French language classes by the Alliance Francais, following Suva Grammar School and Marist Brothers High School.
While officially launching the French language classes at Ratu Navula College as the first school in the Western division,
Minister for Education, Rosy Akbar told students they were trailblazers.
Akbar stressed the importance of understanding languages and many of the Fijians speak two languages.
She says adding French was a strategic choice for them as there are over 200 million people who speak French.
Akbar says French is the sixth most spoken language in the world and obviously it opens up a new horizon for communications and business opportunities in many countries across the globe.
Close to 20 Year 9 and Year 11 began their French lessons by teacher, Marine Plante, in January this year.
Akbar says learning the French language will also increase chances of entering the global market, the global business market and this is the trend in European nations, in particular if students want to get ahead.
The launch was attended by the French Ambassador, His Excellency Sujiro Seam and Alliance Francais Director, Thomas Feldstein.
A minute's silence was also observed to remember the victims of the Al Noor Mosque shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand on March 15, and college students and other victims who died in the Nabou car crash on August 6 2018.
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