In the same month that President Nicolas Sarkozy called for a shake up in the French system for learning foreign languages in French Schools – Cambridge ESOL is pleased to announce that the French Ministry of Defence has officially recognised their exams as proof of language competence for members of the armed forces.

“Being able to speak English is an important part of the professional soldier’s training,” explains Anthony Harvey, Cambridge ESOL’s Country Manager in France. “When working on international missions, it is essential that French soldiers are able to communicate confidently with their counterparts”.

The French Ministry of Defence has published an official announcement recognising these exams as proof of English language ability for its regular army and also its special forces, such as the legendary Légion Etrangère – the French Foreign Legion.

Exams recognized are: Certificate of Proficiency in English; Certificate of Advanced English; First Certificate in English; Preliminary English Test; Key English Test; Business English Certificates and Business Language Testing Service. Each year over three million people take Cambridge ESOL exams in over 130 countries.

The French Ministry of Defence join the 9,500 other organisations that recognise Cambridge exams for a range of purposes.