In Catalan, BRESSOLA means " cradle". this name was given to the schools created in 1976 which became the starting point of the revival of the Catalan language in northern Catalonia (South of French State).

It all began in 1976, with the opening of the first nursery school "La Bressola" with 7 pupils. Premises were cramped, teaching materials and financial means restricted , but there was plenty of enthusiasm. In fact the lack of means was not the worst difficulty . At first, the French administration looked down on this school which did not confine itself to the usual categories . There was also an overall prejudice against a language that seemed to have no use or future . Parents who were determined that their children should speak Catalan were looked upon unfavourably. Of course, no-one imagined any sort of official recognition for the project.

Recognition

In 1982, however, it happened. In fact, that year, Jack Lang, then Minister of Culture, agreed to a grant of 100.000FF. Then in 1983, the Bressola and the Minister of National Education ,signed a convention allocating an annual grant . Meanwhile, of course, the number of pupils had increased .This convention marked the beginning of a period of difficult relations between the administration and the Catalan schools...

An original system of education

1993 is marked as a special year; François Bayrou, then Minister of National Education, proposed to sign contracts with La Bressola in order to recognise Catalan schools according to French law on private schools. In May 1995, a contract with the Minister was signed establishing the beginning of a new relationship with the ministry.

In 2003, La Bressola runs seven Nursery and Primary schools. In september 2003 the secondary school started. All together these schools teach around 500 pupils.(according to 2003 statistics).

The first objective of La Bressola was to establish a system of teaching that would use Catalan as an everyday language, from the perspective that, far from being a dead language, Catalan would be considered in the same way as any modern means of thought, expression and communication. Besides, Catalan has been spoken as an official language on the other side of the Pyrenees since the decline of Franco's Dictatorship. Suffice to say, La Bressola does not consider itself nostalgic, but emphasises the humanist aspect. In fact, it is not a question of teaching young people that Catalan should be their only language, but to give the opportunity to be genuinely bilingual

Pupils of La Bressola have to be equally competent in both Catalan and French by the end of their primary education. It is understood of course that students must attain at least the same standards as pupils in single language schools

Languages : a priority in Bressola schools

Bilingual learning begins with a strategy of total immersion. Pupils are taught in Catalan, and are expected to use it on a social level. The method of total immersion was inspired by its success in Canada, South Catalonia and in Val d'Aosta.

In effect, teaching is purely in Catalan in Nursery school and in the first years of Primary education. La Bressola has established its place in the educational system of North Catalonia - marked by a steady increase in the number of pupils. Its schools show that the method of total immersion allows natural personality development, pupils are more open-minded and are better able to master the structures of language and communication. There has also been an economic benefit - the generation of employment in teaching, music, tourism and the media. Money invested in La Bressola is an investment for the whole community. But the most important advantage remains with the emotions of older Catalans who hear a child speaking the language of the region, promising it's future

I caminem per poder ser

I volem ser per caminar. (Lluis Llach)