Cinema is said to be a door to new worlds, but it can also be a valuable resource to help tackle illiteracy. To find out how Generation Y visited an adult education scheme in the French resort of Nice.

At the training centre for young adults the focus is on creativity through theatre and music.The participants aim to enhance or refresh basic skills. Alisson De La Rue wants to become a nursing assistant and is trying to make up for time wasted in school.

“The problem was I messed around a lot, I didn’t listen to the teacher. So in high school I had big gaps in my knowledge,” she says.

“There are big gaps in my maths and English. Here, at this centre, I have the opportunity to expand my knowledge.”

Another participant, José, came from Portugal less than a year ago, so learning French is his priority. His schooling was also a bit sketchy.

“The problem was being late in the morning. You know… that laziness when you have to get out of bed. I also had football training, so it was hard to get up in the morning,” he says.

Separately, a group of 16 teachers from nine European countries came to Nice to learn new skills as adult educators.

The workshop is an initiative of the ==