On Friday 15 July 2016 the Ville de Luxembourg awarded a total of 674 diplomas to students of Luxembourgish language and culture from the 2015/2016 academic year.

These diplomas were presented by Madame Lydie Polfer, Luxembourg city Mayor, and Patrick Goldschmidt, Alderman responsible for integration and special needs. Additionally, 69 students were awarded diplomas for their degree in German sign language. The awards were presented to the graduate students in the company of representatives of many organisations linked to the courses.

Mayor Polfer congratulated the students of the language courses for their efforts to learn the Luxembourgish language as it is an important factor in the integration to Luxembourgish society. The seven teachers of the course along with the Service intégration et besoins spécifiques were also thanked. The students of the sign language course were also commended, and so were the three teachers of the courses for their commitment as well as the quality of the courses.

The majority of the students of the Luxembourgish language course held over 2015/2016 are resident in the city of Luxembourg (61.3 %) with the other students from other miunicipalities across the Grand Duchy. Out of 846 registered students, 674 (7.,7 %) students passed the course and received their diploma.

Those same students also each received a certificate by the Ministère de l’Education nationale et de la Formation professionnelle, acknowledging that the students have been present at at least 70 % of the lessons. This year, 69 % of the students received this certificate – which is much higher than in the previous years.

The class of 2016/2017 starts on 22 September 2016. Again, the programme will provide a learning cycle of four years, on four levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced and conversation. This year, biannual courses, courses for German-speaking people and week-end courses will also be offered. Classes are taught in several districts of the city (Bonnevoie, Cents, Gare and Hollerich) and come with extra-curricular activities of a cultural focus. They are based on the principles of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) developed by the Council of Europe.

For more information about the courses offered and registration details at the Service intégration et besoins spécifiques, tel: 4796-4142 or email: letzebuergeschcoursen@vdl.lu or visit the Ville de Luxembourg’s website www.vdl.lu (section: Culture & entertainment, courses organized by the City of Luxembourg).

Since January 2010, the Ville de Luxembourg has been offering sign language courses in German for beginners (DGS-1) and advanced (DGS-2), in collaboration with the Daaflux a.s.b.l. association.

Throughout the 2015/2016 academic year, 4 DGS-1 courses, 4 DGS-2 (8 sessions of 90 minutes) courses and 1 DGS-3 course (spread over several weekends) were organised at the Centre sociétaire in Cents. This year, 39 people took the DGS-1 course, 18 people took the DGS-2 course and 12 people took the DGS-3 course offered from April 2012, allowing students to significantly improve their communication in sign language. 87.4% of students have graduated and received a certificate.

Registration for the sign language courses is through the Service intégration et besoins spécifiques, tel: 4796-4106 or email: pregenwetter@vdl.lu throughout the year. It is also possible to be placed on a waiting list if the specific course is full. People in close contact with people who are hard of hearing or deaf, or whose profession has a connection with people with disabilities, have priority.

 

Photo by the Ville de Luxembourg