The Teaching of Creole in Guadeloupe

While the teaching of Creole and in Creole have both been practiced in France’s overseas departments since the 1950s, it was not until the beginning of the 21st century that the French government instituted two competitive qualifying examinations for teachers of Creole. This article discusses the state of the teaching of Creole in Guadeloupe. The introduction of Creole in schools appears to be a step towards offi cial recognition of linguistic diversity by the republic. However, it serves a dual purpose: it meets the requirements of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages while, at the same time, preempting demands by local rights activists that might upset the supposedly peaceful atmosphere of the DOM. Keywords: CAPES; teaching of Creole in Gouadeloupe; Langues et Cultures Régionales (LCR)