Students in the French & International Languages Department have competed and placed in several Speech Contests over the past few years. Finalists have received up to $25,000, equivalent to 4 full years of university study.
Many students take part in French Immersion or workplace programs in Québec over the summer months returning with a deeper sense of intercultural understanding, ability to speak confidently in French and develop a strong base of workplace skills.
During the summer of 2013, 20 students participated in the government-funded program, EXPLORE. This is a 5-week French immersion program that welcomes students from across Canada and is held in various cities in the province of Québec. Several students applied to the YMCA Work-Experience program, were interviewed and hired to work in several locations in Québec.
Last year, students travelled to Tadoussac on the north-eastern shores of the St. Lawrence River to explore whale-watching and learn about the geography and history of this land. Students explored French cuisine, folk music and dance and practiced their French in a variety of contexts. They spent a few days in beautiful Québec City exploring the rich
history.
This year, students will be travelling to Saint Donat for a fabulous winter excursion. Not only will they learn to cross-country or downhill ski, snowshoe and skate, they will also explore the language through art, cuisine and drama! Bon Voyage, Bayview! Allons-y!
In previous years, the department has offered trips to Europe including France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Czechoslovakia.
Next year, the department plans to travel to SPAIN and possibly include a stopover for a day or two in PARIS, France. We are in the midst of planning this trip to allow students of both Spanish and French to explore the extraordinary worlds and diversity of these two languages.
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The French & International Languages Department explores intercultural understanding, multilingualism and global engagement through festive events such as the MOSAIC and other activities.
Senior students organize a variety of workshops with cultural music, dance, song, poetry and more. Guest speakers from the Congo, Cameroon, Haiti and other French or Spanish-speaking regions of the world share their stories of plight and success.
Students have facilitated art and drama workshops as well as several that focus on particular cultural celebrations such as Mardi Gras, cultural games, and/or a particular art form.
Fundraising to assist others in other parts of the world is one of the departments key objectives. We encourage students to consider ways to help make interaction with others meaningful. In this respect, students have sold various French or Spanish-inspired foods in their Café Haiti, to raise funds to build a school in Haiti and/or to assist charitable organizations with educational and environmental projects in the country.