{{unreferenced, date=December 2011 The Centre for Applied Linguistics (CLA),

Besançon Besançon (, , , ; archaic german: Bisanz; la, Vesontio) is the prefecture of the department of Doubs in the region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. The city is located in Eastern France, close to the Jura Mountains and the border with Switzer ...

(French: ''Centre de linguistique appliquée de Besançon'') is one of the world's leading schools for teaching French as a foreign language and French linguistics - it holds the French Government "Qualité Français Langue Etrangère" label.

History

Founded in 1958 and part of the

University of Franche-Comté The University of Franche-Comté (UFC) is a pluridisciplinary public French university located in Besançon, Franche-Comté, with decentralized campuses in Belfort, Montbéliard, Vesoul and Lons-le-Saunier. It is a founding member of the comm ...

, the CLA is located in the City Building at 6, rue Gabriel Plançon, in

Courses and research

Each year, the CLA hosts over 4,000 students from around the world. It is primarily known for its teaching of French as a foreign language and French linguistics. Its courses range from two weeks to year-long. The CLA also offers tailored courses to teachers of French as a foreign language which incorporate theories of both applied linguistics and

pedagogy Pedagogy (), most commonly understood as the approach to teaching, is the theory and practice of learning, and how this process influences, and is influenced by, the social, political and psychological development of learners. Pedagogy, taken ...

. In addition to teaching French as a foreign language and French

linguistics Linguistics is the science, scientific study of human language. It is called a scientific study because it entails a comprehensive, systematic, objective, and precise analysis of all aspects of language, particularly its nature and structure ...

, the CLA offers nine other languages on a permanent basis (Arabic, Chinese, English, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish) and other languages on request. The CLA has a large network of partners worldwide (including

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...

, the

World Bank The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low- and middle-income countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects. The World Bank is the collective name for the Inte ...

, the

International Monetary Fund The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a major financial agency of the United Nations, and an international financial institution, headquartered in Washington, D.C., consisting of 190 countries. Its stated mission is "working to foster glo ...

and international universities) to whom it offers courses and assistance, and with whom it collaborates in applied linguistics research.

Facilities

The CLA has over 100 permanent staff and facilities that include: * 32 classrooms * a resource centre and autonomous study workshops * a multi-purpose hall * 3 multimedia laboratories * a café * an accommodation service for students The CLA also organises a large number of cultural and leisure activities for students to assist their understanding of

French culture The culture of France has been shaped by geography, by historical events, and by foreign and internal forces and groups. France, and in particular Paris, has played an important role as a center of high culture since the 17th century and from t ...

and to facilitate their stay in France.

External links

Official Site
University of Franche-Comté

History

Courses and research

Facilities

See also

External links