Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2012

Tell us about your school.

Opened in 1967 the LFIT belongs to the AEFE, an agency in charge of 480 French schools worldwide, with more than 300,000 students in 130 countries. Our school is linked to the French Ministry of Education and prepares students for the French baccalauréat; once graduated they join French or international universities. We have pupils from 55 different nations. Last April, we relocated to a six-acre campus with high-quality equipment and sports facilities, including tennis courts, futsal pitches, athletics track, gym and dojo, outdoor pool, and a 280-seat auditorium.

What does the LFIT do differently?

We teach English and Japanese at primary school, and provide bilingual (English/French) classes from age 6-11. We believe a multilingual approach ensures better relationships with others, and more respect for cultural differences. We also promote environmental concerns, which earned us the ECO-ECOLE label. For example, an environmental film made by our nine-year-old students recently won an international competition.

Is a basic level of French needed?

French is our main language, though we also teach Japanese, English, Spanish and German. Fluent French is obviously not necessary in kindergarten, because even French pupils are learning the language then! Afterwards, a basis is necessary, though a teacher is on hand to help pupils master their French. We recently launched a special class for six to eight-year-old pupils to study French before deciding to enroll at our school.
What’s different about education in Japan and back home? Students are more attached to their school; we encourage that kind of “school patriotism.” We’re also creating a community where former students will advise present ones. Links between our school and the community are strong. This might explain the excellent exam results we get, which are better than traditional French schools.

What’s your own professional trajectory?

I started as a history and geography teacher and then worked as head of schools abroad in Algeria, Korea, India and Qatar before being appointed as head here in September 2010. Dialogue between cultures has always been fuel for my actions.

Why did you come to Japan?

As head of school in Seoul, I visited Japan and was fascinated by Kyoto and Nara. My second trip took place during a tournament of French schools of Asia. I admired the Tokyo way of life, successfully combining the difficulties of a megalopolis with modern human aspirations such as respect and politeness, access to parks, modernity and attachment to national traditions.

5-57-37 Takinogawa, Kita-ku. Tel: 03-6823-6580. http://www.lfitokyo.org/