Chinook's Edge student enjoy interacting in French at recent conference

About 70 Chinook’s Edge students, in Grades 8 to 12, had the opportunity to participate in a French Immersion event recently. On March 27 they joined students from three other school divisions to learn more about French language and culture.

“The purpose of the event is to give French students the chance to engage in French language speaking, to learn more about French culture and language, and to get to know other French Speakers,” says Marie-Astrid Detharet, French Immersion Coordinator, Chinook’s Edge School Division.

“The French for the future forum was a huge success,” says Melanie Hillier, French Immersion teacher at École Olds High School. “We often experience linguistic insecurity when it comes to speaking a second language. It was so great to see students of all levels stepping out of their comfort zone and interacting with different people in French.”

French for the Future Forum is a federally funded organization. This was the first time French for the Future Forum has come to Red Deer. In total, 330 students from Chinook’s Edge, Red Deer Public Schools, Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division, and from Red Deer’s École La Prairie School attended.

Within Chinook’s Edge École Fox Run School, École H.J. Cody School, École Deer Meadow School and École Olds High School all sent students to the conference.

The one-day session included a range of activities including: improvisation workshop, line dancing, zumba, cards and games, arts, face painting, a trivia obstacle course, a French Café and Sports Hall of Fame. Also, students enjoyed hearing from a guest performing artist called 2 Moods.

Grade 8 Fox Run student, Addy S. says, “The day kinda gave me a new perspective on using French. It was so amazing and I loved the music so much. It just made a big difference, especially to have it in French. I feel like it inspired me to listen to more French music that can help me in my career as a musician. The event was amazing and I am so lucky I came.”

Grade 11 French student from École H.J. Cody School, Orlo D., says, “To be honest I didn't know what I was expecting, because I'm new to the FSL program. So I don't super know a lot of French. But coming here it was such an open environment and everyone here is here because of the same reason to learn about French culture. And so it's nice to see so many different schools getting together. It's a great experience.

Orlo says, “Even if you don't know the language super well, it's nice to be able to rely on other people and make friends and I think that's something really valuable nowadays. 2 Moods was amazing; his music sounds great and I loved all the energy in the room.”

The conference was funded by French for the Future and organized by Canadian Parents for French. Students were able to attend thanks to provincial funding from the Official Languages in Education Program which helped with transportation costs and substitute teachers.