Migrant Reception Language Device (DILAMI) at the University of Toulouse

Migrant Reception language device at the University of Toulouse (DILAMI)

The DILAMI (Dispositif Langues Accueil Migrants) supports migrants in their project of social, academic, and professional integration. This program promotes the development of linguistic and intercultural skills necessary for successful integration into university, socio-cultural and professional life in France.

Each year, the course welcomes 60 students – asylum seekers, refugees, and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection – who study French as a foreign language at three of the university sites in Toulouse. By level group, from October to June: the “beginners” group at the University Toulouse Capitole; the “intermediate” group at the University Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier and the “advanced” group at the University Toulouse – Jean Jaurès (at DEFLE: department of studies in French as a foreign language).

Supported by the Federal University Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, the Occitanie Region, the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), the Prefecture of Haute-Garonne and the DRJSCS (Direction Régionale de la jeunesse et des sports et de la cohésion sociale) the DILAMI system has been in place since the summer of 2017.

 

The program is based on 2 main areas:

• 384 hours of French as a foreign language per year to accompany them towards the acquisition of the B2 level in French, which is indispensable for enrolling in higher education diplomas.
• 80 hours of support for :
  – Workshops focused on university and professional orientation, collaborating with the Common University Services of Information, Orientation and Professional Integration (SCUIO -IP) of the 3 universities, conferences with managers (IUT, BTS, and AFPA), ongoing exchanges with social and employment referents.
  – An education in civic life in France (rights and duties, opening up to associative life, etc.).
  – An opening on the heritage and cultural life of Toulouse: site visits, project implementation (exhibitions, theater, songs, circuses …) in collaboration with cultural actors of the city.

Diploma courses

The 3 courses offered level certifications (DELF), the learners had the status of a free auditor, which will continue at the University Toulouse Capitole (for the beginner group).

Since the beginning of the academic year 2020-2021, the courses at the University Toulouse – Jean Jaurès (UT2J) and the University Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier (UT3), have been transformed into two university degrees :

• the DU DILAMI – Passerelle B1, at UT3 for the intermediate level,
• the DU DILAMI – Gateway B2, to UT2J for the advanced level.

This evolution was proposed by the association MEnS – Migrants in Higher Education and validated by the Ministry of Research and Higher Education and Innovation (MESRI). Since May 2019, many DU gateways are opening in French universities to support exiled people’s integration. The DU Passerelle gives student status to all registered students. It will allow those under 28 years of age who have refugee status or subsidiary protection to apply for a study grant and housing at the Crous.

 

The program and evaluation modalities

Involvement in the DILAMI requires assiduity and punctuality in the courses and a great deal of personal work. The DILAMI is an intensive and demanding program.

Classes take place every morning for 4 hours from Monday to Friday. One morning is reserved for cultural, orientation, or citizenship workshops. Students benefit from 12 weeks of course per semester. They are evaluated in continuous control and take exams at the end of each semester. They must obtain an average in the exams of both semesters to validate their DU.
The course and evaluation modalities will be the same for group 1 learners (beginners). However, there will be no graduation at the end.
At the end of the course, the language level will also be certified by taking the DELF (Diploma of French Studies).

How to apply?

The selection criteria:

• To justify the status of asylum seekers, refugees, or beneficiaries of subsidiary protection,
• have a baccalauréat level or equivalent: high school leaving certificate or university entrance certificate, which is required to enroll in an institution of higher education,
• live in Occitania,
• have a plan to continue or resume studies in higher education.

What are the application steps?

• Download the application form by clicking on this link: DILAMI application form,
• Complete the file and provide a scanned version of all requested supporting documents:
  – a proof of identity attesting to the current status: receipt of asylum application or receipt of recognition of international protection (refugee or beneficiary of subsidiary protection),
  – copy of the diploma equivalent to the bachelor’s degree or high school graduation certificate (mandatory for university registration),
  – 2 passport photos

You must send the files to the following email address: dilami@univ-toulouse.fr AND by post to the following address:

Federal University Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées, Department of European and International Relations – DILAMI
41 Jules Guesde Aisles – CS 61321 31013 TOULOUSE – CEDEX 6

•  After examining the file, if the application is judged to conform with the DILAMI’s expectations, the candidates will receive an invitation to attend the hearings. Motivation and level of French will be evaluated during a 20-minute interview with one of the FLE (French as a Foreign Language) teachers, followed by a written expression of approximately 30 minutes.

After the audition stage, the students receive an email indicating whether they have been selected and are informed about the courses’ organization.