Bonjour-Laissez le bon temps rouler! It was French Singing at ‘La Chansonette’
Bonjour! Laissez le bon temps rouler! (Hello-Let The Good Times Roll!) It was all about French Singing at ‘La Chansonette’- an Inter-Collegiate French Singing Competition at St Aloysius PUC-Mangaluru
Mangaluru: In the present world you have choice of many French items – Go to McDonald’s you can order crispy French Fries; Visit Vas Bakery you can buy French Rolls; Dine at Onyx /Retox/Last Stop Lounges you can sip on hot French Onion soup; At Hotel Taj Gateway you can try French Toast from their Breakfast menu; or ask a newly wedded Western couple about “French Kiss”?? etc etc-but for the FIRST time in the history of Colleges in this Education Hub-Mangaluru, St Aloysius PUC (SAPUC)-Mangaluru had organized an Inter-Collegiate French Singing Competition – ‘La Chansonette’ on Friday, 17th November 2017 at their Campus.
Singing is usually an expression of joy. Songs and music know no barriers. Apart from creating this feeling of well-being songs help in the comprehension and memorization of the foreign language. SAPUC in collaboration with Association of Indian French Professionals and Researchers (AIFPRO) had this Contest with an initiative in making the learning of French a pleasurable experience while familiarizing students with the country and its rich culture. The event first of its kind happening in Mangaluru also aimed at improving the use of French language among the students. It is learnt that 155 students from diverse backgrounds including NRIs an have enrolled themselves to learn French as their 2nd language.
The Chief Guest for the event was Dr. Arunkumar S, President and founder of AIFPRO, and in his inaugural address he quoted saying,” He who sings frightens away his ills.When we sing we are fully in the present and never think of other hurdles and problems of life.You can either be a solitary singer,rejoicing nature where you socially learn how to be a part of team,how to synchronize with a community and sense happiness,”. The event was presided by the College Principal, Rev. Fr. Melwin Mendonca SJ and on the dais were the finance officer Rev. Fr. John Lang Bosco Sj, Vice Principal Mrs.Charlotte D’Souza, Dean Dr.Ganesh Amin, and French Lecturer Ms.Anasa.
Addressing the gathering Principal Fr Mendonca Sj said “We are planning to introduce a foreign language institute which can offer 15 days course for students in German, Spanish or some other foreign languages, so that the students know the basics of every language. As a part of it we have begun an advance programme in French preparing students for the DELF A1 Exam which is an International Diploma Exam.We want students to know the language and explore its culture,”.
The competition was divided into two categories, solo and group. Students from different colleges from the district participated in the competition. The winner of the solo category was Sheetal Pillai from St.Aloysius Pre-University College and the Group category winners were from St.Agnes Pre-University College.
Similar contests are being planned by the Association in other parts of India to find young promising talents.
