Cardinal Lavigerie told his first missionaries "To learn the language of a people is to prepare ourselves to belong to them."  He also said:  "The miracle of Pentecost did not happen only once; it is our effort that supplements it." 

Our Study House first began in 1937.  It is in its present form since 1957. 

Since the very beginning it had a double orientation:  to provide a linguistic formation in Tunisian Arabic and also a formation in Tunisian culture. 

These courses are open to all foreigners living and working in Tunisia.  Our priority remains with those considered to be "permanent"— i.e. members of religious communities and churches present in Tunisia; or persons married to Tunisians.  During 2008-2009 we had over a hundred students coming from 25 countries. 

The Tunisian Arabic courses consist of three levels with two groups in each level.  The course is 2 hours per week for each level and each group from October to June.  According to our possibilities, we also offer intensive sessions during the year or during summer.

Our teaching method was created right here by our Sister Madeleine Prim.
The teaching staff consists of 5 MSOLA-teachers: Sr. Inma Estremera, Sr. Madeleine Prim, Sr. Monique de la Chevrelière, Sr. Melika, and Sr. Carmen Sammut.  Each sister works with a Tunisian reader.  This gives the hearers direct contact with a person whose mother-tongue is Tunisian-Arabic.  Sr. Inma also helps a few students with Literary Arabic. 
Sr. Maria Hernandez takes care of the secretariat and welcomes visitors.  She responds to a variety of requests because we also serve as a documentation centre.  The Study house has linguistic documentation as well as many books and documents on the country and its culture. 

Besides language courses, every month we organise a conference which helps us to know the country better and in general the Arab-Muslim world.  This is very important for us as we live in a country with a strongly Muslim majority. 

Our objective is to facilitate adaptation to Tunisia, and communication with Tunisians through learning the language and at the same time discovering the people who welcome us into their country.  It opens us to another society, with a different approach due to its culture and religion.  It is our desire to break down walls, to eliminate barriers which come from prejudice and fear of others.  To speak with someone in their own language changes the relationship. 
And thus we try to join in the plan of God, Father of all, and to help create a world where love has pride of place and where peace reigns.