Parlez-vous français? If not, here’s your chance to learn
Government of Nunavut looking for students who want to learn French
The Government of Nunavut’s Department of Education is inviting young Nunavummiut to learn French or improve their French-language skills through the Explore program at locations including the Université de Moncton in New Brunswick. (Photo courtesy of Explore)
If you’re a Nunavut resident who is interested in learning French, here’s your opportunity.
The Government of Nunavut’s Department of Education is inviting both youth aged between 13 and 18, and post-secondary students, to apply to take part in the French-immersion Explore program, according to a new release.
No previous French-language experience is required.
According to the release, participants will be divided into classes based on their existing language skills and will learn or improve their French through guided workshops and group outings.
Successful applicants will spend three to five weeks either in the spring or the summer learning French at one of the following locations: Jonquiere, Quebec; La Pocatiere, Quebec; and Moncton, New Brunswick.
The department says that not only is this an opportunity for Nunavummiut to learn a new language, but also it’s an opportunity to explore another part of Canada and make new friends.
The Explore program covers the costs of meals, accommodation, course fees, instruction materials, workshops and some group activities.
Participants will have to pay their travel costs upfront, but those costs can be reimbursed by the Department of Education upon completion of program, according to the news release.
The early bird application deadline is Feb. 15, 2020.
For more information, contact Nunavut’s territorial coordinator, Pascale Baillargeon, at 867-975-5677 or PBaillargeon@gov.nu.ca, or visit www.myexplore.ca.
Is there an inuktitut program like this? I would much prefer nunavummiut learning our language and preserving it.
This is the Explore program, funded by the Government of Canada.
An Inuktitut program like this would be awesome, but the government of Nunavut can’t even manage to come up with a basic learning Inuktitut curriculum for students or even a decent teacher, let alone an Inuktitut immersion program. My kid is in high school. In Inuktitut class the just finished making ukus, which took forever. Now they are making a stool. No language. So this program might not be the language of our choice, but at least it’s gives them a chance to learn something and travel and grow.
Everyone knows the teaching Inuktitut is not a priority of the Government of Nunavut. It is way beyond their ability to administer.
Government of Canada’s program, NOT Government of Nunavut.
Check out http://www.myexplore.ca
“Discover another region of Canada while learning French. Have an adventure and make new friends this spring or summer!”
Wow, what an opportunity for young Nunavummiut to broaden their horizons! C’est excellente!
That would be the responsibility of the government and people of Nunavut, not the Canadian government or people.
Perhaps we should ask our MLAs? It would be great to offer such a programme to youth in other regions of Canada to come to Nunavut and get a language taster such as this.
I came expecting the comments whining about this program when there wasn’t an Inuktitut version. I was not disappointed.
Hi folks let’s not conflate two entirely differeny and separate issues. My Explore is a federally funded and operated program aimed at enhancing bilingualism through immersive experiences kinda like Katimavik used to do. IT IS NOT A GN PROGRAM. The provinces and territories are the regional intake coordinators for the program.
Le programme Explore a été créé en bonne partie pour que les jeunes canadiens aient la capacité de travailler pour le gouvernement fédéral en anglais et en français.
Aussi longtemps qu’il y a une juridiction au Canada dont la majorité des citoyens canadiens parlent Inuktitut, on va approcher au gouvernement fédéral de ne pas assister financièrement dans la formation en Inuktitut des jeunes canadiens. Sans des programmes linguistiques fédéraux équitables pour créer des locuteurs Inuktitut, ça sera impossible de former assez de travailleurs capables de travailler pour le gouvernement nunavois dans la langue de la majorité nunavoise.
C’est une question de bonne gouvernance.