It was in her home that Chantal Dralez, creator of Institut Francophonie, chose to teach French to foreigners. From 1991 to 2015, she welcomed more than 3,500 students, alongside her daughter Florence, who was also one of the French teachers.
But who are these students and where do they come from? questioned a journalist from the local newspaper Ouest-France in 2011.
I have 60% of au pairs from foreign countries, foreign spouses married to French people, students from the Erasmus program and those enrolled at the Beaux-Arts in Nantes, as well as foreign employees. Most of them come from eastern Europe in Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Armenia or Moldova. But there are also Asians, Brazilians, Mexicans etc. "
The atmosphere is friendly but serious. “They are a very pleasant, motivated and hardworking audience.
Chantal Dralez therefore practiced this profession that she loved so much for 24 years, creating bonds between her students. She helped them in their efforts, anxious to listen to them, "but without ever disregarding the requirements linked to my mission and my teaching responsibility".
In return, she learns a lot from them and says she is very happy about this relationship of mutual esteem. Back in their country, many keep in touch and share their updates.
As I like to read, I recently received "Le petit Prince" (The Little Prince) in Russian and Japanese, "she says, touched.
Lors du départ en retraite de Chantal DRALEZ, Maude SALEIRO a repris l’Institut Francophonie en 2015. « C’est avec une grande fierté que je reprends le flambeau et continue de faire vivre ces liens et cette dynamique internationale. «
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