On Thursday, January 17, 2013, students from Grades 7 & 9 of the Akhepran International Academy headed by Dr. Jacinta Higgs visited the Alliance Francaise des Bahamas accompanied by their French teacher Miss Samira Azzahir. The goal was to provide the students with International multicultural enlightenment by allowing them to interact and learn from another culture. The event was a part of the Alliance’s community outreach for exposing the Bahamian youth to French culture and art.
The group was welcomed by Dr. Irene Moss, well known scholar and professor of French who introduced Mme Italia Watkins-Jan, Director of the local French non-profit organisation and the team of volunteers for the event from the French and francophone community in The Bahamas.
Madame Watkins-Jan stressed the importance of speaking another language and interacting with different cultures to the students. She explained in French and English simultaneously that it would allow them to communicate better and understand the world in which they live. She also explained that having at least one other language beside English would make them more valuable on the job market in The Bahamas or elsewhere, especially in certain areas such as Tourism, Diplomacy and Banking.
Students were then divided into 4 groups for a short workshop entitled “The Influence of African Art on Cubism”.
At the end of a brief introduction to cubism art and artists such as Picasso,and an explaination on how African art and particularly African masks influenced Picasso’s art, students were asked to portray their fellow students in their version of a cubist portrait applying what they understood from the brief talk into their art.
Their then displayed and critiqued each other’s work in a jovial atmosphere.
The morning ended with French refreshments provided by the ladies from the Allance. Thanks to Sophie, Nathalie, Christianna, Irene and Italia for making the morning one that was enjoyed by all. Thanks to the students and teachers of Akhrepan for making this intercultural experience a memorable one.
The Alliance Francaise des Bahamas is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting the French language and French and francophone cultures in The Bahamas. It is a part of the world network of Alliance Francaise and has a mission to promote all things French or francophone to The Bahamas. The Alliance Francaise is also an official testing centre for the French DELF/DALF examinations. For more information on the Alliance, or to become a member, visit the website www.afbahamas.org.
The Language Arts programme at Akhrepan International Academy, a new school headed by Dr. Jacintha Higgs, is designed to prepare global scholars to communicate effectively in speech and writing. The curriculum explores deeper understandings by probing essential questions through literature, writing, language and critical thinking.Akhrepan International Academy is located on Bernard Road and Grant Hill Street, Fox Hill.
