Preschool hosts open house for Corsican language program

This Tuesday afternoon, the Campanari preschool in Bastia's Saint-Joseph neighborhood became a lively gathering spot, with children playing and parents enjoying a buffet during its open house event. The event showcased a new immersive Corsican language program designed for children aged 3 to 6.

Program aims to integrate Corsican into daily life

The initiative, backed by the city of Bastia, seeks to make Corsican a language used regularly in everyday situations, not just in classrooms. The program provides multiple opportunities for children to speak and interact in Corsican throughout their day, from daycare to primary school, during school hours, after school, and in extracurricular activities.

Campanari complements existing childcare services

With 32 available spots, the ACM Campanari preschool complements existing childcare options for young children and continues the work started by two new sections opened in September at the municipal daycare L'Anghjulelli: one offering bilingual education and the other focusing on immersive language learning. This ensures children can begin learning Corsican from an early age and continue the experience at the leisure center.

Language learning integrated into daily activities

Corsican is not limited to special events; interactions with staff, instructions, games, and shared moments are all designed to help children become familiar with the language. The Saint-Joseph neighborhood was chosen to provide accessible care for local families, avoiding the need for parents to travel across the city during their morning commute.

City plans to train staff in Corsican language use

The city also plans to enhance the training of professionals to ensure Corsican becomes a natural part of daily activities and conversations. Training sessions will be held during the school term, and other childcare centers have already expressed interest in adopting similar programs.

Open to all families and part of a broader plan

Open to all families without selection criteria, Campanari serves as an experimental site for the city's Bastia Cità Immersiva plan, approved by the municipal council on October 8. This plan aims to maintain linguistic continuity in Corsican education. By the start of the 2026-2027 school year, 70% of primary classes in Bastia will offer bilingual teaching, up from 38% in 2015.

Corsican becomes a living part of childhood

At Campanari, the goal of integrating Corsican into daily life is now taking a tangible form. Among the games, laughter, and conversations between parents, Corsican is finding a new place: one where it is learned, shared, and lived naturally from an early age.