Opportunities, Activities and Events
for All Language Learners
Students will have the opportunity to be fully immersed in the language of study through a variety of cultural events and activities, speech and poetry contests, field trips, immersions, student-exchanges, excursions to Europe and/or school trips to French-speaking or Spanish-speaking regions of the world.
As two of the most widely-spoken languages of the world, learning French and/or Spanish will enhance a students’ options for careers in International Business, International Development Projects in Africa and the Americas, the Canadian Government, the Travel and Tourism Industry, and a variety of other possibilities where the ability to communicate in other languages is a highly regarded and valuable skill.
• EXPLORE! A government-funded immersion in the province of Québec where students at the high school level learn French in a fun and interactive way, taking part in a variety of cultural activities and events over the course of 5 weeks in the summer!
• YMCA Work-Experience Program! Students apply for a summer job which would be in one of many locations in the province of Québec. The students stay with a French-speaking family in Québec and, not only become bilingual, but gain work experience and return with summer wages as well. Family outings to cultural activities and events are organized for the students as well.
• ISE: International Student Exchanges is one of the most well-respected organizations providing exchanges and immersion experiences for students in Europe! Students may choose from a variety of countries where Spanish or French is spoken;
• SHSM: Specialist High Schools Major (Business or the Not-for-Profit Sector): Students considering taking the Business or Not-For-Profit SHSM (Specialist High Schools Major) are strongly encouraged to study French or Spanish. This will allow them to take part in placements with International Organizations based in the GTA or abroad!
• MOSAIC Festival, usually held during the month of February, provides a series cultural workshops that engages the students in the music, song, dance, food, theatre, and story-telling of French and Spanish cultures;
• FIELD TRIPS: Provided in English, French or Spanish, field trips often involve visiting cultural centres such as the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), the Canadian Opera Company, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), or a dance company followed by a visit to a market, restaurant or other locaton where students have an opportunity to explore the French and Hispanic history, art and culinary delights here in Toronto!
• EXCURSIONS to EUROPE! Every year, depending on student interest, the department provides excursions to France, Spain and other countries. These excursions usually take place during March Break. Excursions may take place over a long weekend, such as our recent trip to Québec City and whalewatching in Tadoussac or the upcoming St. Donat Winter Immerson in February of 2014.
• FRENCH CLUB: A vibrant group of students who help organize the MOSAIC Festival and perform short skits for Remembrance Day and other events in French!
• LANGUAGE CONTESTS: Concours de l’Art Oratoire is one of many contests held in Ontario for students wishing to express their ideas and passion on a particular topic in French. Winning students from Bayview have been provided full university tuition or prizes of $1000.00 or more! Poetry, essay and other speech contests for both French and Spanish are promoted for students at Bayview SS;
• FRENCH TUTORING CLUB: Students who excel in French gain volunteer and/or IB CAS hours as tutors for students needing assistance in French;