An immersive language learning program offered in post-secondary institutions for decades across the south, will be available for the first time in the far North, beginning this June at College Nordique.
Rosie Benning, the director of Education and Training at the college, says the immersive program engages participants with the unique Northern Francophone culture, language and landscapes through workshops and outdoor activities. Benning explains that the Explore program also engages local communities through activities and hosting households.
“The Explore program is a federally funded program that’s been around for 50 years now, but it’s never taken place in any of the three northern territories,” explained Patrick Arsenault, executive director of College Nordique.
The college is planning to offer the five-week pilot program beginning this summer to help students strengthen their language skills in French or English. Full-time or part-time students from across the country are eligible to take part.
The immersion program opens the door for people to come to “live and learn” French or English in another part of the country.
“In our case, people would come here to practise French and improve their level over the course of five weeks through a combination of workshops and formal courses, excursions to discover Yellowknife and the surrounding environment. And our students are going to be staying in homestay, with local Yellowknifers that speak French so that they can be fully immersed,” explained Arsenault.
The Explore program puts a spotlight on Yellowknife as a distinct and diverse northern Francophone hub.
“It’s quite unique, I feel there are a lot of people that don’t realize that there are Francophone communities all around Canada,” said Benning.
‘I think it’s important that Canadians know that and see the richness and the diversity that we have all around our beautiful country,” added Benning.
Going into a French-speaking community away from home, in a place where people speak French, creates an environment of learning French and communicating fully in French.
“The biggest benefit is really the immersion piece of it,” Arsenault said.
Immersion programs can be transformative learning experiences. Language learners are able to see themself “living in French” and being part of “meaningful experiences in French,” forging connections with people and communities away from home, Arsenault said.
Arsenault and Benning are both past graduates of the program from a number of years ago.
“We’re both really excited to provide that same opportunity for people living in the North.”
“It’s more fun than your typical classroom setting,” added Benning.
“The way that the day will be structured, is that in the morning, we’ll have language classes, and then in the afternoon we’ll have cultural interactive workshops and then a cultural excursion or activity with each other. So it’s combining the language learning pedagogy along with the immersive, interactive fun activities and I really think that having fun in the language and interacting in a meaningful way with others, really accelerates learning. It activates all those parts of your brain that make it engaging.”
Arsenault said that the program being offered in Yellowknife through the college has 16 spots that will be available to students from across the country.
Limited housing in the city is anticipated to be the biggest challenge in hosting the program in Yellowknife.
“Most other establishments that have been offering the program have access to HUBlink facilities on their campus or have a long-standing history of offering different homestay programs throughout the year. So they have all these infrastructures built for these connections built up and we’re starting from scratch,” said Arsenault.
The French-speaking community in Yellowknife is a minority and organizers predict that finding 16 spots for students could be challenging.
“We are currently looking for Francophone families to welcome students. They are a key component to this program because we couldn’t do it without them. We are currently in search of Francophone families who are interested in welcoming a French learner, with the goals of making our Francohone community more vibrant and inclusive,” said Benning.
Two streams of workshops will be offered to students, one focused on self-expression and Francophone culture and one focused on discovering the cultures of the North. Benning said students will have the opportunity to learn the Tłı̨chǫ language and will learn cultural activities like beading and fish scale art. Participants will have a chance to go on guided hikes to experience the rare beauty of the North in places like the Boreal forest.
Benning added that anyone who would like to learn more about the program can attend an information session being held in-person and virtually on Jan. 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
