Bring Francophone Africa Into Your Classroom
Connect your French class — live — with a Tuareg artisan from Niger. Free for any French class.
How The Project Works
The exchange is a 30–45 minute live video session between your class and a Tuareg artisan from Niger.
During the session, students:
- Speak directly with the artisan in French
- Ask questions about daily life, culture, and traditions
- Engage in an authentic cultural exchange aligned with your language learning goals
A Real Classroom Experience:
Students from Trinity Preparatory School in Florida participated in a live video exchange with Mr. Sidi Aboubaka, a Tuareg artisan in Niger.
Ahead of the session, students explored the history and culture of the Tuareg community and prepared interview questions in French, applying their language skills in a real world cultural context.
During the exchange, Sidi guided the class through a virtual tour of his jewelry-making workshop, showing how the jewelry is made and offering a glimpse into daily life in his community.
“There was a real ‘wow’ component to actually connect with Sidi and to see where and how the jewelry was made. It was something completely out of their comfort zone.”
–Vanessa Spallone, French Teacher
Trinity Preparatory School, Florida
Why This Project Matters
French is not only spoken in Europe.
Today, over 300 million people speak French across 32 countries, the majority of them in Africa.
This virtual exchange is designed to help students:
- Develop curiosity, empathy, and global awareness
- Understand the global reach of the French language
- Discover Francophone Africa beyond stereotypes
- Engage with authentic spoken French in a real cultural context
Who Are The Tuareg?
The Tuareg are a traditionally nomadic people of the Sahara, known for their rich cultural traditions, craftsmanship, and poetry. They are sometimes called the “Blue Men of the Desert,” a reference to the indigo-dyed clothing that is central to their cultural identity.
Forum by Prométour has collaborated for several years with a Tuareg cooperative in Niger, supporting cultural exchange initiatives and sustainable community projects.
FAQs
Reserve your class session.
Submit your request below. We will call/email you with a proposed session date and time based on your class schedule. The session will not be confirmed until we have spoken with you first. Sessions are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
