An article published April 15th, 1917, in the prisoners’ weekly „Die Insel-Woche“, gives us an idea of the education and training possibilities offered in the camp. The programme was entirely organized and run by the internees.

“Our library’s management has certainly not restricted itself to its original field. August last year lectures were started. They take place once or twice a week and cover quite diverse topics in captivating ways. Those lectures have expanded into courses offering deeper insights into the fields of the law, business and economy, and technology.
Closely linked to these courses is our educational programme offering classes in foreign languages, German, maths, geography and nautical matters to both beginners and advanced students.“

Statistics covering the years 1917 and 1918* show that 40 teachers taught 49 subjects. True to its aim of fostering the camp’s cultural life, the prisoners’ weekly “Die Insel-Woche“ published a long article on the learning of foreign languages (4th issue, April 29th, 1917 - “Zum Sprachstudium“). The author of this article explains his personal opinion regarding this issue:

“I would like to point out that our being imprisoned is a good opportunity to make sure that when we’re released there’s something positive we can take back home. Again, there’s probably no camp where the conditions to learn foreign languages are as good as on Île Longue – there are teaching aids, teachers, advanced learners and accomplished speakers of almost every important language.“
[...]
“You ask me when we should start ? I say, right away ! Now the know-it-alls among us never cease to point out that “it isn’t worth the effort as the end of the war is imminent“. Well, let me point out that since we’ve been imprisoned there have always been comrades claiming , with all the authority they can muster , “The war can’t possibly last any longer!“. To drive this statement home they’ve recurred to all kinds of economic, emotional, even logical arguments. Now if all of us had shared this point of view nobody would have started to do anything useful anyway. Lucky him who has busied himself with something right from the start! It’s of no consequence at all if a man throws himself into book keeping, shorthand or some language as long as it helps him to achieve some sense of fulfilment.“

* Archives of the Finistère Department / Arch. Départ. Finistère 9 R 33

Suggestions for further reading:

“Insel-Woche“, 2nd series, 1st year, issue 29
On page 2, you’ll find a complete list of the subjects taught.

“Enseignement et Formation“, illustrated article published in “Avel Gornog“ No. 19, July 2009

Translation: Sabine Herrle