A Francophone tea and cake shop located in Nha Trang University campus is an interesting French – Vietnamese cultural exchange rendezvous for students...
A Francophone tea and cake shop located in Nha Trang University campus is an interesting French – Vietnamese cultural exchange rendezvous for students.
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| Francophone tea and cake shop. |
After 2 months of preparation, Nha Trang University’ Economics Department has just opened a Francophone tea and cake shop supported and funded by French – Vietnamese Cultural Association and Nha Trang University on the occasion of the International Day of Francophonie (March 20, 1970-2017).
The shop features a Francophone environment through its typical design and arrangement of chairs, tables, books, music, etc. The place is to create a French-speaking environment for students and lecturers through such activities as introduction of the culture, tourism and overseas study in France; reading and having treats with tea and cakes. The place provides a chance for French language enthusiasts to meet and improve their French skills. This is also a rendezvous for Francophonie members at the university, helping promote the image and cultural exchange of Francophonie when coming to Nha Trang City.
"The shop is a good place for students to meet and exchange, especially helping improve tourism students’ practice. Besides, it is a meeting-place of French people, lecturers of French language and students. We have also received support from French – Vietnamese Cultural Association and French embassy to build the shop to become an exchange place for French and Vietnamese people to learn about the Vietnamese culture as well as promote the school image and French language programs," says Associate Professor, PhD Do Thi Thanh Vinh, Dean of Nha Trang University’ Economics Department.
Remarkably, the shop is managed and served by tourism students and those attending French-Vietnamese bilingual programs at Nha Trang University. “We ourselves organize learning and exchange activities among students and with French people. There is a piano available for anyone to play French music if they like. Acoustic music sessions in French and English are sometimes held. We hope to create opportunities to improve communicative French skills,” says Le Pham Nhu Phuong, a tourism administration student.
“The environment at the shop helps me to practice my occupational skills. There are also many books in French and English for us to read for relaxation after school. I can feel free and confident to communicate in French and English and thus it helps improve my foreign language skills,” adds Nguyen Trong Nhan, a tourism student.
Reportedly, Nha Trang University presently has 4 French-Vietnamese bilingual programs attended by some 60 students specialized in business administration and tourism administration thanks to the support from Francophone University Association (AUF) and the cooperation of partner universities in France. The students can benefit from apprenticeship for 8 weeks in French enterprises at home or abroad. They also have chances to get higher education at Francophone University Association worldwide.
At present, apart from a library, the university has Francophone office funded by Francophone University Association. Together with the opening of the Francophone tea and cake shop, Nha Trang University continues innovating its training and practice methods for foreign languages in general and French in particular as well as promoting international exchange activities.
H.Ngan
Translated by N.T
