About Us

Stella Maris College’s association with the French language dates back to the inception of the institution. The arrival of the Franciscan Sisters in India not only heralded a new era in women’s education but also pioneered the study of French as a foreign language. Among the pioneers of the Department of French, Mother M. Chapdalene (Moissonier), fmm, a French national, is remembered with gratitude by her students of the fifties and sixties for her commitment and dedication to the teaching of French. She retired in 1969. Her mission was continued by Sr. Magdalene, fmm, Professor in Maths, and later by Sr. Bernadette, fmm.

During this period, French was taught through the medium of English. Students excelled in the written language but spoken French took a back seat. Sr. Anne-Marie Daly, fmm, former Principal (also known as Sr. Proincias), Sr Anne Modrach, fmm, and Sr. Evelyn Delicata, fmm, from Malta were associated with the Department. Sr. Evelyn was the head of the department from 1973 to 1982. She was assisted by Ms. Chandra Ilango from 1979 onwards. Ms. Jacinta Fenelon taught in the department from 1974 to 1977, she rejoined the department in 1981. Sr. Evelyn Delicata returned to Rome in 1982 and the headship of the Department was taken over by Ms. Jacinta Fenelon. Ms. Chitra Krishnan joined the department in the same year. It was during this period that the department, in collaboration with the Alliance Française de Madras, had regular activities such as lectures, skits, film shows and singing groups, to name a few, in order to motivate students and to popularise the study of French. This renewed interest in the language saw the birth of the French Club, “Cercle des Francophiles” which provided a platform for the students to display their talents. The cultural activities served to sustain the interest of the students in the language.

When the College became autonomous in 1987, French was introduced as a Foundation Course. The focus of study which, until then, was grammar and literature, shifted to the French language, culture and civilization. Since the late nineties, in addition to the regular courses, the department offered Business French and Commercial Correspondence to students of Commerce to help them meet the requirements of the job market. In 2011, French for Beginners was introduced as a 4-credit General Elective course for undergraduates and postgraduates with no prior knowledge of French.

Dr. Chitra Krishnan, faculty and Vice-Principal from 2003 to 2004, left the department in 2004 to join the French Department of the University of Madras as Professor and Head. Ms. Chandra Ilango, Head of the Department from 2001 to 2006, opted for voluntary retirement in 2006 and Ms. Jacinta Fenelon took over as Head of the Department. In the same year, Ms. Geetha Ravi joined the department. Ms. Kausalya Jaganmohan, a part-time faculty, was appointed as Honorary Consul for France at Chennai in October 2002 and was further honoured with the title of Chevalier de l’Ordre National de Mérite in March 2006 by the Government of France. The faculty members include Ms. Bilkhis B. Sait (2007 – 2012), Ms. Suchithra E. Herur (2013 to 2016), and Ms. Gayathri R (2012 - 15; 2016 - 2018) and Ms. S. Nithya (2016-2017). At present, there are three faculty members in the department. Ms. Neenadevi C. joined the department in 2017. Ms. Scinthia Priyakumari J (joined in 2018) and Ms. Vidhya (joined in 2019) are also associated with the department. In 2015, along with the other General Elective Courses, the department offered Spoken French for the beginners. In 2019, French For Tourism was added into the syllabus.

Violaine Huysmans (2005-2007), volunteer from FIDESCO, a French NGO, added impetus to the learning of the language. The department hopes to have more such volunteers from France in future to benefit students.