May 7, 2012                                                                                                                                

Students Go Tête À Tête in French Competition

On Wednesday, May 9, 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 34th 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: 1) Core French, 2) Spéciale, which includes students who study a number of subjects in the French language, and 3) Francophone for our French first-language students. The participants rotate through 5 different challenging language activities which have been developed to test language proficiency.

French language student monitors from Brock University will accompany the contestants throughout the morning and will offer guided tours of the Brock campus.  This interaction with Brock students will offer the high school students insight to campus life.

After lunch, students will attend a francophone musical event, featuring “Swing”, at the Sean O’Sullivan Theatre.  

“Studying another language helps to increase problem-solving skills, memory, and self-discipline,” says Julie Stapleton, DSBN French and International Languages Consultant. “This competition allows students to showcase their abilities and be recognized for their efforts.”

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 9

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