France seeks to soothe German language fears

A formal commitment to promote each other's language has been vital to ties between the two countries often described as the "motor" of European Union. It was part of the historic 1963 treaty re-launching their post-war cooperation and whose 50th anniversary was celebrated with great pomp just two years ago.

German officials are so worried about the impact on Franco-German relations that Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier raised the issue with his French counterpart on the margins of key talks on Iran's nuclear programme in Switzerland this month.

The reform scraps arrangements under which the brightest French children can take on two foreign languages - typically English and German - on entering secondary school. Berlin fears German will lose out to English if there is just one choice.

The revamp also envisages letting children take on a second foreign language from the age of 12 - one year earlier than now. But at present, few children choose German, with many more opting for Spanish because it is considered easier.

"No way is teaching of German being called into question," Government spokesman Stephane Le Foll told reporters, adding that France would add 515 German teaching posts next year, especially targeting schools near the two country's border.

"This reform will allow the greatest number of children to achieve excellence ... there is no cause for concern."

The current system allowing some children early take-up of two foreign languages has helped ensure that German, which is studied by about one million high school students, remains a priority language alongside English and Spanish.

But Education Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem has argued this mainly benefits high-performing pupils and it would be a better use of resources to offer all the chance to study at least one foreign language a year earlier at the age of 12.

According to his aides, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has assured Steinmeier that he would look into the matter. Susanne Wasum-Rainer, Germany's ambassador in Paris, held direct talks with Vallaud-Belkacem last week.

Wasum-Rainer said after the talks she feared an "atmospheric setback" to Franco-German ties if the reform went ahead.

(Reporting By John Irish, Elizabeth Pineau in Paris, Andreas Rinke and Erik Kirschbaum in Berlin; editing by Mark John)