What's new?

last updated 1 February 2012

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.

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We connect CPF Alberta members with experts in the field of French-second-language learning.

The most recent Q&A:  Is there a "bilingual diploma" in Alberta?

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Exchanging Worlds    The end of February is the deadline to apply for the Alberta/Quebec Student Exchange Program.  Students stay with families in Quebec and attend school there for approximately 3 months and host their partners here in Alberta for another 3 months.  Students participating in the Alberta-Quebec exchange are eligible for a full travel subsidy. Students normally apply during their Grade 10 year to participate in the exchange during their Grade 11 year.   details   Talk to your French language teacher!

Bilingual Showcase of Performing Artists for Young Audiences    Anglo Franco: an opportunity for those of you looking for artists for your family series, for your schools or both – the event will feature 10 artists who can perform in both English and French.  Friday, April 20 at Campus Saint-Jean in Edmonton.

Best practices day for second language educators   Edmonton Public Schools invites teachers and administrators from other districts to Second Languages Matter!, their 7th annual best practices day for second language educators at the Fantasyland Hotel on February 17, 2012.

·         sessions for all second languages, all programs and all levels (including FSL and French immersion)

·         many sessions offered in the target languages

·         best practices shared by classroom teachers, administrators, university professors, L2 leaders and Alberta Education language advisors

·         $149 includes breakfast and lunch

·         eligible for the Alberta Education French teacher bursary

 

Click here for details or to register.

Find service in French and win an iPad   You could win an iPad for submitting information to Alberta's new bilingual information service at 1-888-580-ALLÔ (2566) and www.ServicesEnFrancais.ca.  Simply:

  1. Visit any business in Alberta.

  2. While there, find out if they can serve you in French.

  3. If they can, ask if you can provide their information to www.ServicesEnFrancais.ca.

  4. If they agree, obtain a copy of their business card.

  5. Either take a picture of the business card with your smart phone or scan it in onto your computer.

  6. Email the card and your own contact information to info@ServicesEnFrancais.ca.

  7. The business will be added to the database and you will be entered to win an iPad!

  8. Contest closes March 25, 2012.

 

CPF Alberta supports Minister of Education's plan    Click here to see our news release.

Casino volunteers needed!  CPF Alberta's 2012 casino is vital to ensure our current level of support for members and for our local chapters.  Please consider giving just 8 hours of your time to support French-second-language learning in your community and throughout Alberta.  details

 

 

Yes, You Can Help! Information and Inspiration for French Immersion Parents

Pass it on!  This ground-breaking Alberta Education book is now available online!

The brand new digital version includes all of the same information as the 2002 edition, but:

ü  it is accessible free of charge on the Alberta Education website at http://education.alberta.ca/parents/resources/youcanhelp.aspx

ü  statistics, references, etc. have been updated

ü  recent research results and insights into immersion as well as changes in education guidelines and practices have been incorporated

ü  hotlinks give easy access to more in-depth information, cross-references, and footnotes

ü  topics are addressed one “page” (screen) at a time, so readers can quickly find the information they seek.

For a printable version click here.

Postsecondary "immersion" in western Canada   Click here for an offprint of the article which appeared in the fall 2011 CPF Alberta News.  It introduces the offerings at Campus Saint-Jean (Edmonton), the University of Calgary, Simon Fraser University, and the University of Regina.

Contest offers $100,000 in scholarship prizes   The Canadian Association of Immersion Teachers has launched its 2012 Concours Immersion Clip contest for Grade 9-12 French immersion students. Entrants prepare a 30-90 second video clip on the theme of the year.  For the details click here.  Deadline is February 24.

More than half of Europeans can speak a second language   From the latest edition of Beyond Words, the e-newsletter of Canada's Commissioner of Official Languages:

The European Union strives to promote multilingualism and has set itself an ambitious goal of ensuring that its citizens can speak two languages other than their mother tongue. In 2006, the Eurobarometer Survey showed that more than half of Europe’s citizens could speak a foreign language and that 28% could carry on a conversation in at least two other languages besides their mother tongue.

The least bilingual countries? Ireland and Great Britain!

Want to improve or maintain your French?  Are you a parent trying to enhance your French skills? A graduate wanting to maintain your proficiency? Consider the wide variety of opportunities offered by the Alliance Française in Calgary and Edmonton: classes for different levels and needs as well as a variety of interesting workshops (wine tasting, cooking, movies, reading clubs, and much more).  They also offer programs for children.

 

French second language learning today: what, when and why?   Click here to find the PowerPoint presentation by CPF Alberta 2011 conference keynote speaker Joseph Dicks, PhD, of the Second Language Research Institute of Canada.
225,000 Albertans Speak Français    On September 6th the Association canadienne-française de l'Alberta initiated a campaign to raise awareness among Albertans about services that are currently being provided in French in our province.  At the same time it launched a new bilingual information centre through the toll-free number 1-888-580-ALLÔ (2566) and at www.servicesenfrancais.ca -- click on the "English" tab at the top of the page.  It includes a calendar of events, a directory of French-language services, and a search engine.

Support for families of bilingual children   The Language Resource Centre at the University of Calgary offers a counselling service for parents of bilingual children, with resources and information especially for parents of children learning more than one language at home as well as immigrant parents.  click here

JUMP Math now available in French   Versions of the JUMP Math Grades 1-4 student workbooks and comprehensive teacher resources especially for French immersion are now available.  click here

Second language learning benefits students and society   Click here to see this posting on the Alberta Teachers' Association website.

Hollywood stars who speak French  The latest edition of Beyond Words, an e-newsletter from the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages, talks about eleven very high profile Hollywood stars who speak French. click here

National meeting re the Common European Framework of Reference   In March, 46 individuals from education departments, federal government departments, national stakeholders (including CPF), universities and others met to discuss the current status and potential future of implementation of the CEFR in Canada.  The report offers an excellent summary of what has been happening and recommendations for the future.

Digital literacy for secondary students   MyWorld / MonUnivers aims to teach students essential digital literacy skills through simulating their favourite online experiences.  It deals with researching and authenticating online information, managing privacy and reputation, dealing with online relationships and using digital media in an ethical manner.  It includes a Teacher's Guide and Classroom Activities Guide.  French version   English version

CBE decision a "giant step backwards" - click here to read CPF Alberta's April 27 news release

 

Handbook for French Immersion Administrators   Alberta Education's Handbook for French Immersion Administrators is now available online.  The one-page-per-concept format includes hotlinks to additional information and resources throughout.  The eleven major topics include:

  • The Immersion Approach - Principles and Practice

  • Conditions for Educational Success

  • Providing School Leadership for French Immersion

  • Supporting and Working With Parents

  • Recruitment and Retention of French Immersion Students

  • Support Agencies and What They Offer

 

Franconnexion Sessions   In addition to its forums for high school students held in major centers across the country, French for the Future now offers resources to help organize sessions where junior or senior high students have the chance to attend creative and inspiring workshops, participate in cultural activities, network with bilingual professionals, share their thoughts and ideas, and become part of a dynamic community. The ultimate goal is to make students realize that by keeping up with their French courses throughout high school, they are opening many doors professionally and culturally.

New courses available from the Alberta Distance Learning Centre  The ADLC has announced that Études sociales 30-1, Mathématiques 10 Combiné and  Mathématiques 10-3 are now available for immersion students to study through distance education. For a complete list of courses and more information click here

Alberta's new mathematics curriculum  Immersion parents can sometimes be confused about school work that comes home in French, but often that confusion is caused not by the language but by new approaches to teaching. Alberta Education has posted on its website a number of fact sheets and useful links re mathematics to help parents understand the most recent changes "not so much in what students are learning but in how students are involved with mathematics as they are learning."

Considering Campus Saint-Jean?  Parents, did you know that information about the University of Alberta's French campus is available in English?  On the website at www.csj.ualberta.ca look in the upper right-hand corner for the "English" button.  For example, in the "Students" section of the site they offer advice for preparing to attend CSJ -- key steps to follow beginning in Grade 10.

Faire une différence   The French version of Making a Difference: Meeting diverse learning needs with differentiated instruction is now available.  This document provides teachers with an Alberta context for differentiated instruction, and information and strategies for implementing differentiated instructional practices to better meet the diverse learning needs of all students.  French   English

For additional information about diverse learning needs in French immersion click here.

French Reading for the Fun of It!  This new online course is offered by the University of Guelph to immersion parents "who would like to become confident with the French language while learning to read notes, homework assignments, textbooks and to enjoy a French language book with their children."

Frequently asked questions about the DELF in Canada   The Canadian Association of Immersion Teachers has produced a pamphlet responding to some of the most common questions about the use of the DELF for French language proficiency testing.   English     French

For more information about the the concept of language proficiency and the DELF assessments click here.

New Canadians and French-second-language learning   The key article CPF's 2010 report on The State of French-Second-Language Education in Canada is "Voices of New Canadians" - their attitudes, perspectives and experiences with learning French as an additional language.  Included is a two-page fact sheet for educators on this topic.

The report also includes a review of formal education ministry policies affecting equitable access to French-second-language programs - a study with very surprising results!

To see the 2010 report: English   French

Études supérieures: Pédagogie et leadership  The University of Calgary has announced this new certificate program in French for graduate students at the Faculty of Education.  For more information contact Dr. Sylvie Roy, Coordonnatrice du français, Faculté d’éducation, 403-220-5641, syroy@ucalgary.ca

A wealth of resources for teachers   Both the Association canadienne des professors d'immersion (ACPI) and the Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers (CASLT) offer a wealth of information and resources to support and enhance second-language learning.  For example, see Speakarama, CASLT's new educational board game for students of core French, English as a second language, and other languages. Or check out ACPI's 70 motivating activities for oral communication.

Teaching financial skills  The City is a learning program developed by the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada and the British Columbia Securities Commission. It teaches young people financial skills that they can carry with them throughout their lives.    English    French

Prime Ministers of Canada   The Library and Archives Canada has developed a bilingual education kit for Grades 9-12.  A complete educational resource related to curricula across Canada, it helps students learn about the lives and careers of 22 Canadian prime ministers.