Activities and resources for students
CPF Alberta receives and distributes news of many resources and products designed to be of interest to students of French and their parents. Publication does not imply CPF endorsement.
Following are just some of the opportunities for students learning French. Information is also provided through the CPF national newsletter and the CPF Alberta News, which are distributed to our members.
Books, music, games, magazines, etc.
click here to download all or part of CPF's Early Childhood Activity Book
Alberta's two French bookstores are always happy to assist non-Francophone parents, and will accept mail orders:
Calgary AB
403-540-8895
Librairie le Carrefour
8927 - 91 St., Suite 40
(bottom floor in La Cité Francophone)
Edmonton AB T6C 3N1
780-466-1066 1-888-339-1556
part of the University of Alberta Bookstore
Discounts for CPF members:
Some companies offer discounts on books and other materials ordered by CPF members. Click here and scroll down to "Savings & Affinity Programs" for all the details.
Libraries:
Some public libraries in Alberta include French collections.
In Edmonton, The Institut Guy Lacombe de la Famille has a lending library.
In Calgary, there are lending libraries at the Alliance Française of Calgary and at the Centre de Ressources Francothèque.
Other sources:
Books:
Book Rapport offers an interactive educational website, bringing the events authors and so much more to everyone at home. For more information click on the "Parents" tab at the top.
Jacob's World - bilingual resources for young children
L'école des loisirs is a publisher in France which offers annual collections of 8 French books for all age groups. The children receive one each month from November to June. "Max" subscriptions can be ordered individually, and there are special rates for group orders. Contact Filomena Gomes at 403-289-3854 in Calgary for further information or assistance.
Sabita et les mots magiques mêlés (Sabita and the magic mixed-up words) is a children's storybook, written in the present tense, for emerging readers. Tara Natter (B.Ed., former Calgary immersion teacher) created this book to present French sounds (like eau = o, ph = f) through a story of wizards, potions and magic. The accompanying story on CD helps children to practice their reading at home even when their parents don't know French. The package is also designed for use in the classroom.
Usborne Books offers French editions of many of its English titles, books to introduce French vocabulary at the primary level, and reference books. On the online catalog, search for "French titles."
Music:
Alex Mahé - children's performer from Alberta - Goodtime Train - his latest recording is Maïs soufflé
Charlotte Diamond - music for the 5-10-year-old crowd - look for Qu'il y ait toujours le soleil, Bonjour l'hiver, and Nous sommes tous comme les fleurs
Educorock Productions offers educational music designed to motivate and reach students with a current beat.
Songs That Teach - CDs that teach French vocabulary, grammar, etc. from Sara Jordan Publishing
Combinations:
Faites de la musique! (Let's Make Music!) CD and 9 companion books to read along while listening to the songs
Sound Language Solutions - original songs with lyrics which target the most common errors made by students learning French, with accompanying print resources and teacher's guides
Magazines:
A variety of magazines for students of all ages can be ordered through Bayard Presse.
For senior students, consider Québec Science, l’Actualité, or Châtelaine.
For hundreds of other magazine ideas click here.
Certificates of proficiency in French
Several centers in Alberta are accredited to offer the DELF/DALF assessments, which give individuals official certification of their French language proficiency and offer an international diploma awarded by the French Ministry of Education.
The Centre d'enseignement et de recherche en français at Campus Saint-Jean is accredited to administer the internationally-recognized Test d'évaluation de français (TEF).
Classes - the Alliance Française in Calgary and in Edmonton offers French classes for children
CPF Alberta receives and distributes news of many resources and products designed to be of interest to students of French and their parents. Publication does not imply CPF endorsement.
Computer software and the internet
The CPF resource list offers constantly-updated listings of popular French software and French internet addresses
Book Rapport offers an interactive educational website, bringing the events authors and so much more to everyone at home. For more information click on the "Parents" tab at the top.
Speak Out! / Exprime-toi! is Alberta's student engagement initiative. It's a forum for secondary students to share their thoughts about learning and school and to have their voices heard by education decision-makers.
Contests and competitions
Be sure to check our What's New page for information about current contests!
From Canadian Parents for French:
Français pour mon succès: CPF and partners offer junior high students an opportunity to win interesting prizes. Watch for information on our What's New page early in each calendar year.
Allons en France: CPF and the Embassy of France partner each year to challenge Grade 11 and 12 students. Grand prize is a 10-day summer trip to France, including travel, accommodation, activities and insurance. Watch for information on our What's New page early in each calendar year.
Grammar and spelling:
La Dictée PGL - an international competition to help improve students' written French (includes a French immersion category)
Verbathon makes verbs and grammar fun and exciting to teach and learn. Students can then participate in a bi-annual international tournament.
Music and speech arts:
The Calgary Kiwinas Music Festival now includes French "classes": Choral Speech (especially for elementary students), Speech Arts (solo), School Choral (choirs), and Classroom Music (particularly suitable for students in grades K-3).
Public speaking:
Sommet de Débat de l’Honorable Claudette Tardif - a French debate competition for high school students
Bilingual debates - teams defend their cases half in French and half in English - Alberta Debate and Speech Association
Science fairs:
Calgary Youth Science Fair - the CPF Calgary Chapter donates awards for the top French entries
Writing:
The annual Concours de poésie en immerssion is organized by the Canadian Association of Immersion Teachers in collaboration with the Festival international de la poésie de Trois-Rivières.
The annual Begbie Canadian History Contest for Grade 10 to 12 students gives them an opportunity to test their skills in history.
French for the Future offers an annual essay contest for students in Grades 10-12.
Roch Carrier Short Story Writing Competition for students aged 12-15.
The Aristotle - a High School Philosophy Essay Contest which invites submissions in French
Other:
Immersion Clip, an annual contest for grade 9-12 French immersion students to submit videos on the theme of the year, is offered by the Canadian Association of Immersion Teachers.
Opération Dialogue offers an annual Talk About Canada! Scholarship Quiz for Grade 12 and postsecondary students
Dance L'Association la Girandole d'Edmonton Les Blés d'Or in St.Paul
The Alberta Distance Learning Centre now offers a wide variety of core and optional courses for French immersion students in grades 10, 11 and 12 as well as junior high science. These courses are available to individual students through year-round learning, via contracted services through schools, and via team teaching though the schools.
Click on "French Immersion" or contact Esther Kupsch, Associate Principal, Senior High School at 1-866-774-5333, ext. 5183. For a list of courses, click on "Course Options." To view the Immersion Showcase, enter the username "immersion" and the password "adlc."
word games on the CPF web site
CBC Radio-Canada Zone jeunesse
La Cité des Rocheuses in Calgary (French Community Centre at 4800 Richard Rd. SW) offers a Ciné-Club, showing two French films each month from September to May, one for children on Sunday afternoons and one for adults on Wednesday evenings. For descriptions of the films plus dates and times, click here and go to the calendar of activities. Non-members 6-16 yrs: $5.; 16 yrs+: $6. Price includes popcorn!
Once a month, the Institut Guy-Lacombe de la famille in Edmonton presents an animated French movie for the whole family. These free movies are shown at the Campus Saint Jean theatre (8406 - 91 Street). For more information, please call the Institut Guy-Lacombe de la famille at 780-468-6934.
Penpals a caution about e-mail pals list of possibilities
The annual Jeux francophones de l'Alberta is a sports and cultural event for teens aged 12 to 18 who speak French fluently. Regional try-outs are held in January to March, and the provincial event in May.
Fédération du sport francophone de l'Alberta
9915A - 82 Ave, Edmonton AB T6E 1Z1
780-469-1367 edmonton@lafsfa.ca
CPF Alberta receives and distributes news of many resources and products designed to be of interest to students of French and their parents. Publication does not imply CPF endorsement.
Study aids and tutoring
see also "Terminology" below
click here for CPF's French Internet Address List and List of Popular French Software
BonPatron - This internet site for second-language learners helps identify common spelling, grammar, and expression problems in French. Type (or copy and paste) in your text and the program will highlight errors. Move your mouse over a highlighted word or expression, and you'll see an explanation of the error. You can choose to receive the explanations in English or in French.
Practice FLA 30-1 provincial exams: Grade 12 students can review diploma exams from previous years. French language arts students can practice with Français 30 "Part B" exams, but must ask their teachers for copies of the reading texts. As the student answers each question, a box pops up to explain why the choice is or is not the appropriate answer. To see the sample exams, go to https://questaplus.alberta.ca.
En route vers le succès - a French immersion version of activity workbooks for elementary students
How to be a successful, organized student
2Learn.ca - this Alberta-based site offers technology-based resources and support for educators, students and parents - for the French section go to www.pourapprendre.ca
French accents on an English-only keyboard - print out this guide
Lacoste Bookstore in Calgary offers one-on-one and group tutoring with French phonetics, reading comprehension and grammar for students in grades 1-9.
LanguageGuide (vocabulary, grammar)
The Language Portal of Canada offers:
- TERMIUM Plus® - the latest terminology in nearly all fields; the equivalent in either official language of an acronym, initialism or abbreviation; expressions using keywords; writing tips; and more
- translations of common expressions or sayings
- writing tools
and more.
LearnAlberta.ca offers quality multimedia learning resources in French, curriculum based, searchable by grade and subject. For the password contact your child's teacher or school.
Key to Successful Learning Inc. - Le Centre de Littératie - psycho/educational assessments, one-on-one tutoring, strategies for success - 403-466-9295 in the Calgary area
Make School Work for You or Mieux réussir à l'école - for junior and senior high students who may experience learning difficulties, but who want to do better in school - order form the Learning Resources Centre (product number 461426 or 477019)
Parlons Français - French tutoring services for all ages and all subject areas - 780-720-7939 in the Edmonton area
Songs That Teach: click here for tapes/CDs that teach French vocabulary, grammar, etc. from Sara Jordan Publishing
Sound Language Solutions - original songs with lyrics which target the most common errors made by students learning French, with accompanying print resources and teacher's guides
Teacher Certified Tutoring - offers online support for reading
CPF Alberta receives and distributes news of many resources and products designed to be of interest to students of French and their parents. Publication does not imply CPF endorsement.
Oniva is a show for children aged 9 and older. It is produced in western Canada, and features schools in our province. Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at 4:30 p.m. on your local Radio-Canada (French) television station or view online (click on Épisodes).
Terminology
The Language Portal of Canada provides Canadians with free, one-stop access to a wide range of language tools, including TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank. Users can also consult various writing tools, articles on language problems and numerous other online Canadian resources. The goal is to to help Canadians study, work and communicate in both official languages.
Word of the Week - Sign up your student to receive the e-mail newsletter from the radio program C’est La Vie at www.cbc.ca/cestlavie/word. Each week, he/she will receive a very short e-mail featuring a French “word of the week” with common expressions using that word. Students can also access a list of past words-of-the-week, which includes definitions and examples of usage. All texts are courtesy of Johanne Blais, lexicographer with the Canadian Bilingual Dictionary Project.
Mathematics - Alberta Education has online glossaries for students in grades 7-12:
Social Studies - Alberta Education has published En bons termes...avec les études sociales for grade 10-12 students. It includes a comprehensive French dictionary of Social Studies terms, a list of English acronyms and their French equivalents, English expressions and their French equivalents, and an English to French word list. Ask your high school études sociales teacher or order from the Learning Resources Centre.
Glossary of parliamentary terms - from the Parliament of Canada website:
basic terms for younger students more terms for students in grades 7-10
L'Unithéâtre offers theater workshops in French for schools, an artist-in-residence program, summer camps, and more. Read about La Troup junior and the Saturday-morning activities for students (some of the information is given in English).
The Société francophone des arts visuels de l'Alberta in Edmonton offers community studio workshops for children, summer art camps, and workshops in schools or for school groups visiting the city.
CPF Alberta receives and distributes news of many resources and products designed to be of interest to students of French and their parents. Publication does not imply CPF endorsement.