May 2, 2011
Students Go Tête À Tête in French Competition
On Wednesday, May 4, students across the District School Board of Niagara will take part in the annual Brock-Niagara French Contest, a time-honoured regional tradition. Now in its 33rd year, the event offers students in Grades 11 and 12 an opportunity to demonstrate their French language skills through a variety of fun and challenging activities.
Students are registered in one of three language categories; Core French, Spéciale, which includes students who study a number of subjects in the French language and Francophone for French first-language students. The participants rotate through five different activities which have been developed to test language proficiency.
“Studying another language helps to increase problem-solving skills, memory, and self-discipline,” says Lorraine Gower, DSBN French and International Languages Consultant. “This competition allows students to showcase their abilities and be recognized for their efforts.”
French language student monitors from Brock University will accompany the contestants throughout the morning and will offer guided tours of the Brock campus. “Many of the students participating in the competition are thinking about their post-secondary plans and this interaction with Brock students will give students valuable insight to campus life,” says Gower.
In the afternoon, students will be entertained by faculty members and students of Brock's French Studies who will offer a creative poetry workshop.
Each student will be recognized during the afternoon prize ceremony. Major category winners will receive monetary prizes made possible through the generosity of Brock, local businesses and community organizations, many of which represent the Francophone community in Niagara.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, May 4
Time: Opening ceremonies, 8:00 a.m. in TH 247. The prize ceremony takes place at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Brock University, 500 Glenridge Avenue, St. Catharines