Student Interview: Kuldeep Gussain, Chef of Italian cuisine in Pondicherry.

Kuldeep Gusain

   Chef of Italian Cuisine

       Favorite French Verb - Adorer

    Song: Je t'aime - Lara Fabian

Kuldeep (extreme right) at his workplace

Why did you choose to learn French and not Spanish, German, etc?

I am a chef and I want to go to France and learn French cuisine especially since it is popular all over the world, and not  just in France. 

My studies in French

I did a course in Alliance Francaise (Dehradun), then I studied at Alliance Francaise Trivandrum. Although the teacher was a Malayali local, she had an excellent French accent with no native traces. The French staff there were very kind. At that time, I was working at ITC Park Hotel in Trivandrum so I often practiced speaking French with clients. 

Alliance Francaise Trivandrum - a wonderful cooking event

Last year, I took a course with Mr Jean Baptiste at Alliance francaise de Pondicherry. It was very useful because he was  a Frenchman and because of him, I improved my oral comprehension and pronunciation. He always spoke to us in an advanced level of French which helped us to learn new words. We often did role plays in French in class. Unforgettable moments! 

My Teacher Mr Jean-Baptiste

My Experiences With the DELF Exam

(Delf is an International Diploma in French by the French Ministry of Education. Read here for more information. The exams take place across the world 4 times a year)

I passed my DELF A1 in Alliance francaise Chandigarh, and DELF A2 in Alliance francaise de Trivandrum. In both these cities, it is compulsory to have at least one French national in the jury for the Oral Production exams.

You can't have 2 Indians in the jury even if they are Francophones or French teachers. 

Why is this a good idea:

• because students feel more confident when they are being evaluated by a French national who understands the nuances of the language.
• the French nationals in both my DELF exams were very supportive even when I was unable to find my vocabulary or create sentences. As soon as I entered, they smiled and welcomed me doing everything to make me comfortable.
• since DELF is an international certification, of course it makes sense to have a French native in the jury.

Me with the French Actor Edouard Baer at Bonjour India 2013

How I work on my French now:

I am in Pondicherry at the moment where I work in a Pasta Bar. This time I decided not to join the French classes. I decided to take an annual membership at Alliance francaise.

• I regularly sit in the library and read the French newspapers, magazines. 
• I listen to RFI (Radio French Internationale), music, watch movies. 
• I attend the movie screenings as well as French cultural programs. 
• Since French tourists and expats come to the library rooftop, I practice my French with them. I am improving my oral comprehension and conversation skills by speaking to them.

It's so wonderful to have all these facilities for just 1000 Rs for 1 year!

Thanks Kuldeep and Good Luck!