Following a nine-month suspension amid pandemic woes, Alliance Française de Macao (AFM) has resumed operations with its first class set for early December.
AFM had announced its suspension in January without providing reasons.
Due to the pandemic, the association has suffered human and financial resource problems.
Border restrictions forbade the entry of foreign visitors, non-residents and tourists, making it difficult for educational institutions to hire instructors or teachers.
The problem was only alleviated in May this year when the government established a special entry scheme to allow foreign teachers into the SAR.
In an exclusive interview with the Times, AFM director William Bascaule remarked, “it has been nine very long months, with ups and downs, a period during which we fought to find solutions and bounce back.”
“AFM has been part of the community for more than 35 years. It was heartbreaking to suspend our activities,” he added.
However, its budget and raising capital were among the main considerations before resuming operations, aside from recruitment of qualified French-speaking natives.
With the resumption of classes, Bascaule will launch the first programs himself. The recruitment of a second teacher is planned for spring 2023 and a third by the end of the same year.
The director revealed the association has started the process of acquiring quotas to hire instructors.
Keeping his fingers crossed, he added that “the pandemic and this endless crisis management – which ended up becoming our new reality – taught me one thing: you play the cards you’re dealt.”
AFM will gradually restart all of its programs, following the arrival of new teachers in Macau.
For now, the organization will be able to restart A1 classes for adults, starting December 5.
A2 classes for adults, and French discovery classes for children aged 5-6, will resume in the second stage immediately afterwards.
Credit courses in universities, extra-curriculum programs, and B1 level classes for adults will resume in September 2023, as well as a brand-new degree program for children aged 7-9 and 10-12.
On degrees, Bascaule said that with restrictions it is still impossible to propose the DELF/DALF, exams and diplomas of French language, in Macau for the time being.
“However, we will be able to propose the TEF exam as an alternative, which is similar to TOEFL/IELTS and will meet people’s needs as well. The TEF certification is recognized internationally by a large number of organizations, institutions and universities,” he said.
Cultural mission
Regarding the cultural aspect of our mission, and the promotion of “French flavor” events, “I am afraid we have to remain patient,” said the director.
Logistically and financially, it is difficult for now to resume the group’s most popular events such as the Baroque Music Festival or the First Film Festival Premier Plans d’Angers or its collaboration with the French May and French GourMay, the director noted.
“We did so much in the past with writers’ meetings, roundtables, exhibitions, performances, masterclasses, lectures, etc. We have to rebuild everything when the time is right. That being said, we can restart some small-scale activities and social events, like a French ciné-club, diners or wine gatherings,” he revealed.
However, the group will hold its traditional celebration of beaujolais wine on November 17, partnering with the French community and entities such as the Sofitel Macau, France Macau Chamber of Commerce (FMCC), Repertoire Culinaire and Paris Store.
