CPF Ontario hosted the 7th edition of the Conférence sur les chemins de la réussite bilingue / Pathways to Bilingual Success Conference on October 3-4, 2018 at the Radisson Hotel Sudbury. There was representation from 5 Northern Ontario school boards, reaching out to over 500 Core, Extended and French Immersion students in grades 7 to 9.
With retention as an identified priority in many of the Ministry Action Plans, the theme focused on “staying in French to Grade 12”, highlighting experiential learning opportunities and the benefits of official language bilingualism. Students listened to motivational speakers, participated in engaging plenary and interactive workshop sessions, and networked with exhibitors specializing in exchanges, work programs, post-secondary opportunities, and more. The conference on October 3rd was for Core and Extended French students, with French Immersion students participating on October 4th. To view our Facebook album, click here.
Interested in hosting your own Pathways to Bilingual Success Conference? Scroll down to the end of this web page to learn how you can bring the conference to your school community.
Speakers and Workshop Presenters
Two speakers shared their childhood journey and experiences as bilingual individuals and highlighted the benefits of being bilingual professionals. The opening presenter was Chris Mercer, Associate Vice-President, Student Life, Enrolment Management & International, Laurentian University. William Burton, founder of Le Réveil and recipient of the 2018 Ontario Francophonie Award – Youth Award, was the closing speaker.
French as a Wise Choice for a Global Workforce
Presented by Emily Caruso Parnell, Community Connected Experiential Learning Coordinator K-12, Rainbow District School Board.
Under Pressure
Presented by Science North. Curriculum links: Understanding Structures and Mechanisms.
How to Write a Good Song
Presented by Damien Robitalle & Stef Paquette.
Lead with French, live with French!
Presented by Jimmy Steele, President, Ontario Modern Language Teachers’ Association, and Nicole Czaja, Past-President, Ontario Modern Language Teachers’ Association.
Exhibitors (the links are in green below):
National Organizations
Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages / Commissariat aux langues officielles
Educational & Cultural Exchange Programs
Canadian Education Exchange Foundation
Employment & Student Work Programs
Francophone Organizations
Carrefour francophone du Sudbury
Post-Secondary Institutions
York University, Glendon Campus
Resources:
Click here to access “French Experiential Learning Opportunities”. Feel free to include this resource on your school’s website and newsletter or print copies.
To order posters on the “Stay in French The Bilingual Experience” and “Poursuis en Français l’avantage bilingue“, click here.
Hear stories from Olympians, journalists, business executives, teachers, and many others for whom bilingualism has enriched their lives. Click on the link below to see interviews with French program graduates and to learn more about what they have done thanks to French!
http: //bc-yk.cpf.ca/watn-english/
Bring the conference to your school community:
We encourage your school/ school board to host your own student conference on bilingual success! Below are educational resources related to the conference. Feel free to print copies and distribute them to your students.
- Prochaines étapes (FR)
- Les avantages professionnels du bilinguisme (FR)
- The Employment Benefits of Official Language Bilingualism (ENG)
Timeline of Past Conferences
2009: Greater Toronto Area – Direct Energy Centre
2010: Greater Sudbury – Radisson Sudbury
2012: Windsor – Caesars Windsor
2013: Kingston – Ambassador Conference Centre
2014: Greater Toronto Area – International Centre
2016: Hamilton – Hamilton Convention Centre
To view our conference highlight video from Windsor in 2012, click HERE.
This event was made possible with the financial support of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Education.
