Education and Early Childhood Learning and Training

French Immersion in Manitoba

• Conference: March 18, 2011
  
• Brochure ( 755 KB)
• Registration Form ( 754 KB)

French Immersion Students in Manitoba: Proud, Engaged, Global Citizens

For educators, administrators, superintendents, trustees, teacher candidates, parents and partners.

Conference Information | Conference Agenda |
Registration | Location | Previous Conference

Brochure ( 755 KB)

Expense Claim Form (for School Division only)

Division north of 53^o ( 16 KB)
Division south of 53^o ( 16 KB)

Please note that you must send the form with all receipts no later than March 31, 2011.

 

Conference Information

French Immersion Students in Manitoba: Proud, Engaged, Global Citizens

This conference will focus on students, their pathway from learning in the classroom to living bilingually, and how educators and parents accompany them. You will have the opportunity to listen to an internationally recognized speaker, participate in engaging workshops and round table discussions and network with colleagues from around the province.

March 18, 2011
The conference will be held in both official languages.

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Conference Agenda

8:00 – 9:00

AGM for AMDI

8:30 – 9:00

Registration & coffee

9:00 – 9:30

Opening remarks

9:30 – 10:45

Speaker: John Ralston Saul
French Immersion Students: Proud, Engaged, Global Citizens

This keynote address will explore the following questions:

• In 2011, what role does the French Immersion Program play in the context of Canadian bilingualism?
• How do we ensure that students attain bilingual competency and identify themselves as bilingual speakers?
• How do we, as educators and parents, support students in becoming lifelong language learners who participate in society as global citizens?

10:45 – 11:00

Health break

11:00 – 12:00

Round table discussion and questions

12:00 – 13:00

Lunch

13:00 – 14:00

Panel Discussion
Engaging Students to Pursue Lifelong Bilingualism

Former students will share their thoughts on the French Immersion experience; motivations, challenges and transition into adult life.

14:00 – 14:15

Health break

14:15 – 16:00

Participants will have an opportunity to participate in 1 of 4 workshops

1. Counterbalancing form-focused and content-based instruction in immersion pedagogy (in French)
   Roy Lyster, McGill University
   
   Research indicates that French immersion students lack accuracy in their French language skills. To improve language proficiency of students, Roy Lyster proposes a counterbalanced approach between language and content. The strategies presented will equip educators with instructional practices that promote optimal language learning in content-based classrooms.
   


2. Inclusion in the French Immersion Program – Case Studies (in English)
   
   Three educational teams will share their story of successful practices and approaches to support at-risk/special needs students, ensuring their success in the French Immersion Program. The following characteristics of inclusive education will be discussed: cooperation and collaboration, student responsibility, flexible and holistic approaches, recognition of diversity, and ethics.
   
   Facilitator: Robert Campbell (Vice-principal – Collège Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau)
   


3. Panel Discussion – The role of parents in supporting bilingual learners (in English)
   
   The panel comprised of parents will share their reflections on the following questions:
   
   
   • Why did you choose the French Immersion Program for your child? Did you have the information necessary to inform your decision?
   • What are the needs of parents as they support their children in becoming bilingual citizens?
   • What challenges do parents face throughout the K-12 immersion experience? What can parents do to address these challenges?
   • What do schools/school divisions need to do to inform and support parents from K-12 and beyond?
   
   Moderator: Paulette Vielfaure Dupuis (CPF Manitoba)
   


4. Daily oral communication in French Immersion (in French)
   Rachel Soufi, Bureau de l'éducation française Division
   
   Too many students reach a certain level of oral communication skills and stop progressing. This workshop will present a multimedia package to enable teachers:
   
   
   1. to reflect upon their teaching practices and to further refine their second language teaching skills and knowledge;
   2. to help students to communicate in French with fluency and accuracy.

Registration

No conference fees. Lunch will be provided.
Please complete the registration form and submit by February 18, 2011 to:

French Immersion Conference
Bureau de l’éducation française Division
Attention:

Maude Plourde
309–1181 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB  R3G 0T3
or
Fax to: 204-948-3234
Telephone: 204-945-5607
Toll free: 1-800-282-8069 (ext. 5607)

Registration limited to 250 participants

Registration Form ( 754 KB)

Location

Conference will be held in Winnipeg, at:

THE VICTORIA INN
1808 Wellington Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3H 0G3

Rooms have been reserved at the Victoria Inn for conference participants. To reserve a room call the hotel directly at 204-786-4801 or 1-877-842-4667. Please make reference to this conference when you reserve your room.