MONTREAL – There is often so much division over language in this province that it can actually be quite refreshing when there is an event that brings both the English and the French cultures together.
More than 500 students from 13 English high schools spent the day at l’Université du Québec à Montréal to celebrate the French language at the French for the Future forum.
From French poetry to a quiz on Quebec culture, many English-speaking students admit they have a long way to go to master the French language.
“Since I go to an English school I just talk more in English so I feel a bit more comfortable in English,” said Tami Thanabalasingam, a student at Westmount High School.
Most of the students at the conference attend French immersion high schools in Montreal.
“I have troubles so sometimes I get nervous to speak it,” admitted Jacob Nuara, who is also a student at Westmount High School.
For many of them, French class is the only time they get to learn the language and put their skills to the test.
“You have students who don’t have any French exposure at home you have students who find it difficult because of the grammar because of the writing skills,” said Layla Khanji, a teacher with the English Montreal School Board.
For the seventh year in a row, the French for the Future forum is hoping to make some English speaking students feel more at home in a French environment.
The goal is to give them the confidence and make them proud to speak a second language.
“I think that French is important considering we live in Quebec,” said Cierra Barnes, a student from Westmount High.
“I think most people who don’t know French they should try to learn it.”
WATCH: “French for the Future” promotes bilingualism amongst Canadian youth
Global News’ own Morning News weather specialist Jessica Laventure was invited to share her success story – in French.
“Being bilingual will open so many doors for you,” she said.
“It’s opened so many doors for me. You can chose what you want to do life, where you want to study and what you want to study.”
Jessica grew up immersed in both cultures and says she is always surprised to hear that some don’t speak French at all.
“There’s a whole culture put in place right there available for you, why would you not take advantage of that and add it to the culture that you already have?” she asked.
Teachers admit their greatest obstacle is the province’s controversial politics that may have fostered fear towards the French language.
“There is a little bit of a reluctance maybe because of the political situation maybe what’s being said at home but once they’re in an environment where the teacher is enjoying his classroom and we’re doing fun things they forget all the other things.
At the end of the day, organizers hope students go home with a bigger understanding and appreciation of their second language.
“It’s really good that you’re promoting French,” said Thanabalasingam.
“I feel like it’s fading away slowly especially when we live in a place like Montreal, we should keep it together right.”
Comments