Skip to Main Content
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. High school students get full French Immersion experience during Quebec trip

High school students get full French Immersion experience during Quebec trip

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release
February 18, 2014

By Christina Schilling 

GUELPH, Ontario — Twenty-one students from the Upper Grand District School Board participated in a four day trip to St Donat, Quebec, February 9-12, 2014. St Donat is located in the Laurentian Mountains, not far from Mont Tremblant.

This is the fourth annual trip to St Donat. The students represented Centre Wellington DHS, Erin DHS, Orangeville DSS and Wellington Heights SS. Teacher chaperones were Teresa Katerberg from Erin DHS, Stephanie Severn from Wellington Heights SS and Christina Schilling, Curriculum Leader and teacher at Erin DHS. 

Every winter, hundreds of students participate in a full French immersion experience in St Donat under the expert guidance of “les animateurs” and “les moniteurs” of the tour operator Perspectives Eduscho. This year, we were part of a group of 240 students from several school boards in Ontario. All these students and teachers come together in St Donat to immerse themselves in the language, culture and outdoor winter activities. 

Students took part in activities such as a music and drumming workshop, learning traditional Québecois legends, ecology, snowshoeing at night, cross-country skiing, and a talent show. Half of each day is spent at the ski hill skiing or snowboarding. The “moniteurs de ski” are experts at teaching students new skills no matter what their level of ability – from absolute beginner to expert. 

For some students, being on skies was a first time experience – “merveilleux!” The conditions were excellent, though very cold, and the view from the top of Mont Garceau was particularly spectacular this year! Skies were crystal clear. The last evening was a wonderful starry night spent on the 2 km lighted track that weaves through the woods. “fantastique et merveilleux!”

As educators, it is always exciting to hear a linguistic transformation occur even over a space of just four days. Students gained confidence in using their French in a real-life experience, interacting with the locals, the staff and their peers “en français!” The teachers are very proud of these students who made such efforts to learn so many new skills. Bravo! And what better way to increase your language skills than to be fully immersed, having fun “en français. “

All secondary students enrolled in an FSL program are invited to join us in 2015 for the next annual FSL Upper grand trip to St Donat, Quebec.
 

For more information:

Christina Schilling, Curriculum Leader
UGDSB Program Services
[email protected]

Maggie McFadzen, Communications Officer
519-822-4420 ext.725
[email protected]

 

Categories: Media Releases