With Laurent Cantet's film The Class continuing to win acclaim around the globe, the French novel that served as its inspiration is now set for an English-language release.

Seven Stories Press is slated to publish an English translation of teacher and writer François Bégaudeau's original book Entre les Murs.

In his 2005 book, Bégaudeau presents an account of life as a teacher partly based on his years as working at a high school in a multicultural, blue collar neighbourhood.

He also starred as the teacher in Cantet's docudrama film adaptation, which won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival last year and is making its way into North American theatres this month. It is also in the running for the best foreign film Academy Award next month.

With files from the Associated Press