MM unic AT i O n MMunicATiOn - Ontario Modern Language Teachers

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L’association ontarienne des professeurs de langues vivantes
The Ontario Modern Language Teachers’ Association
mmunication
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A Message from the President... In this issue . . .
Bonjour et bienvenue, Nous ne pouvons pas oublier les événements
tout le monde. Je uniques qui se passent partout dans nos conseils,
voudrais vous remercier grâce aux fonds spéciaux du “FSL Renewal
de m’avoir donner la Funding Grant”
A message from the
chance d’être votre
m
président pour l’année In the South West region of Windsor and Essex president ............................ 1
prochaine. Je suis très County, on April 28th, students were thoroughly
fier de ce qu’on a fait entertained at “Frenchstock” by Beebo, Etienne,
et de ce qu’on va faire Jacquot, Julie Powers, Marc Tardif and Zoléo. From the editor’s desk ...... 2
comme organisation. Over 2500 students attended this event and their
enthusiasm was unmatched, as they stood, cheered,
I w o u l d l i k e t o danced and sang to some of their favourite songs.
u
congratulate Linda Hendry, the Conference After the concert, the students were each given a Teacher’s Bookshelf .......... 2
Chair of the 2008 Spring Conference, for a very compilation CD, containing songs from each of
successful event. We had over 1,000 participants the featured artists. They were then treated to an
again this year and we have received some autograph session by all the artists before catching
Lifesaver Hero ................... 3
very positive feedback thus far. Linda and her their bus for the ride back to school.
committee, Wanda West-Gerber, Heather Henke,
Brenda Lessard, Antoinette Minutillo and Heidi Les 1700 élèves de Waterloo ont beaucoup aimé
n
Locher did a fantastic job. Kudos to Heidi for leur spectacle avec le groupe “Swing” qui était un Success Story : The “First
stepping in so close to the conference date as succès fou à l’auditorium du Kitchener Collegiate
Year Teaching “ .................. 4
Administrative Assistant, and pulling it all Institute.
together. Our members were very complimentary
of the work that Heidi has done in such a short …and in London, grade 7-10 students were treated
i
time and it is very much appreciated. Merci to high calibre French culture, by way of a concert Success at Nipissing
beaucoup!
by ZPN, a rock group from Québec.
University ........................... 5
Thank you as well to all the members who In the Kingston area, the Limestone Board
participated in the Annual General Meeting. This is providing their primary F.I. teachers with
year, at the AGM, we made several revisions to resources and PD that make Shared Reading OMLTA/AOPLV Board of
our constitution and elected 4 new members to the the primary component of their Comprehensive Directors 2008-09 .............. 6
Board of Directors: Félicitations à nos nouveaux Literacy Program.
membres: Heather Henke, Jennifer Rochon, Maria
c
Carmen Romero et Kim Lundquist.
…Tandis qu’à Sudbury, au mois de mai, on a
emmené les élèves au marcher en plein air – afin 2008 Spring Conference ... 8
Un autre grand succès, le Concours d’art oratoire qu’ils puissent entendre les auteurs présenter des
qui a eu lieu le samedi 10 mai à Glendon College, ateliers sur leurs livres.
Toronto. De la part de Faten Hanna, merci à tous
les enseignants qui sont venus comme juges pour
Pour les profs de FLS qui ont plus de 5 ans FrenchStock ..................... 10
cet événement.
d’expérience et sont membres de notre organisation,
on offre une expérience exceptionnelle. “Projet
a
On aimerait aussi souhaiter la bonne chance à Québec” leur donne la chance d’améliorer leur
aux candidats et aux candidates qui passeront français et en même temps, apprécier la culture de Suggestions for
quelques semaines à Québec cet été, en faisant la belle province pendant l’été.
Success ............................ 11
partie de Projet à Québec, qui était un grand succès
ti
l’année passée.
I’m sure there are many more good things going
o
n
Summer
2008
Successes in our Province
I believe that the theme that Linda Hendry chose
for this year’s conference, “Languages, Our
Natural Legacy”, “Les langues, notre héritage
naturel”,…is very fitting in light of all the positive
language activities taking place in Ontario. We are
making a difference!
Premièrement, il est évident que les parents sont
très au courant de l’importance des langues dans le
monde aujourd’hui, puisque les inscriptions dans
nos classes d’immersion sont en train d’augmenter
partout dans la province. Même les élèves au
niveau secondaire commencent à continuer leurs
études en français. Dans certains conseils on
trouve plusieurs classes de 10e et 11e année au
niveau appliqué, un phénomène qui était très rare,
il y a quelques années. On fait une différence!
Another positive sign was the passing in the
legislature of PPM 146; a policy memorandum
which now allows secondary students to choose
a second FSL credit in Option 1 to count for their
graduation requirements. This is something that
OMLTA/AOPLV had been lobbying for quite
some time. We are making a difference!
on all around us that were not mentioned. If you
are involved in any of these, please feel free to
write a little description and submit any valid
articles and/or photos which would benefit other
OMLTA/AOPLV members, to Faten Hanna at
communication@omlta.org. Also, I invite you
to visit our website regularly and be an active
member
Let’s take time to celebrate our accomplishments
as Second Language Teachers in the province, and
continue to advocate for even more improvements
to benefit Ontario’s students in the future.
I wish you all a good and successful finish to your
school year, and a nice relaxing summer.
Pete Cecile
2008 Spring
Conference Prizes ........... 12
Branchez-Vous ................. 13
40 Infos Surprenantes sur
le Français ........................ 14
Le Concours d’Art
Oratoire 2008 ................... 16
Success usually comes to those who are too busy
to be looking for it. ~ Henry David Thoreau ~

~ Book Information ~
Dear readers:
Faten Hanna
Faten Hanna, Editor
communication@omlta.org
From the editor’s desk .....
How time flies! As the school year comes to an end, we often
ask ourselves what we have accomplished. Take the time to
reflect on all the experiences that you have had throughout
the year. I am sure great strides have been made. Write down
two highlights that stand out in your mind. When I tried to do
this, it was difficult just choosing two, since I have been so
fortunate in being involved in many wonderful experiences.
After reflecting, I realized that they all involved working with educators and
students. Une des plus belles expériences que j’ai vécues cette année, c’est d’être
coordinatrice des juges pour le concours d’art oratoire et de travailler toute une
journée complète avec des enseignants et des étudiants doués, qui sont venus de
différentes régions de l’Ontario. Des éducateurs professionnels qui ont choisi de
venir et jouer le rôle de juge pour nos chers élèves. It was a lot of work but the
feedback from the day was very positive.
This type of reflection also inspires us to set goals for the coming year. As the
focus of this edition is “Success stories”. I hope the reflections; the articles and
the information in this edition will inspire and interest you.
Have a wonderful, relaxing summer and take time for yourself.
La porte secrète menant à la réussite (Paperback)
Authors: Florence Scovel Shinn
Publisher: Astra
Format: Paperback 141 pages
ISBN-10: 2900219167
ISBN-13: 978-2900219164
List Price: $74.98
Pensez positif dans votre travail
Authors: Ventrella Scott
Publisher: Village Mondial
Format: 224 pages
ISBN-10: 2842111753
List Price: $33.96
Présentation de l’éditeur
Penser positif, ce n’est pas être naïf, c’est faire le choix de la réussite. Norman Vincent
Peale avait développé la notion de pensée positive. Son disciple, Scott Ventrella, montre
comment l’appliquer dans l’univers professionnel. Les techniques psychologiques qu’il
propose sont à la fois simples à acquérir et efficaces au quotidien. Ce qu’il propose, c’est
d’opter pour une nouvelle façon de voir les choses pour changer son attitude vis-à-vis
d’elles, et des axes d’action concrets pour y parvenir. Le lecteur y trouvera un grand
bénéfice pour lui-même dans sa carrière et dans sa vie en général.
Communication, the quarterly membership newsletter
of the Ontario Modern Language Teachers’
Association, covers second language education issues
in general, and Association activities in particular. Send
correspondence to:
Heidi Locher - Administrative Assistant OMLTA/AOPLV,
17A-218 Silvercreek Parkway N., Suite 123, Guelph, ON
N1H 8E8 email: omlta@omlta.org www.omlta.org
Tel: 519-763-2099, Fax: 519-763-3987
Communication provides a forum for a wide spectrum
of opinions on second language learning and teaching.
This policy permits divergent viewpoints without
implying the endorsement of the Association.
Advertising Information
Contact Heidi Locher (see details above). Please note that
other than its own materials, the OMLTA does not endorse
any of the products advertised in Communication.
About the Association
The Ontario Modern Language Teachers’ Association is
a non-profit service organization committed to furthering
modern language education, to providing support and
opportunity for professional growth and to representing
its members on matters related to education in Ontario.
Membership is $50.00 annually. Receiving a copy of
Communication is a benefit of membership.
OMLTA/AOPLV Board of Directors:
The Executive: Pete Cecile, President - Louise Bianchin,
Past President - Linda Hendry, 1st Vice-President -
Susan Forrester, 2nd Vice-President - Helen Griffin,
Treasurer - Wanda West-Gerber, Secretary.
The Directors: Michèle Babcock, Colette Fraser, Daniel
Dionne, Faten Hanna, Heather Henke, Kim Lundquist,
Anne Popovich, Jennifer Rochon, M.Carmen Romero,
Karla Torrente-Lepage.
Editor
c
Faten Hanna
Webmaster
Daniel Dionne
Contributors in this issue:
Article submissions
MMunicATiOn
Julie Barlow - Writer
Pete Cecile - Greater Essex County D.S.B.
Helen Griffin - Thames Valley D.S.B.
Faten Hanna - Dufferin-Peel C.D.S.B.
Dr. Cher Harvy - Nipissing University
Linda Hendry - Waterloo Region D.S.B.
Jean-Benoît Nadeau - Writer
Dr. Rence Shackelford - Stone Mountain
Karen Wakelam - The Prince Charles School Limestone D.S.B.
Send articles to Faten Hanna, Editor, Communication,
3301 Aubrey Road, Mississauga, Ontario L5L 5C9. Electronic
submissions in Word or WordPerfect are encouraged -
communication@omlta.org. Topics for consideration: Learning
and Teaching Strategies, Assessment, Special Education, Class
Management, School Culture, Instructional Leadership and
specific activities to feature in the pull out section. Deadlines for
submissions: Summer Issue March 16, Fall Issue July 20, Winter
Issue Nov. 18, Spring Issue Jan. 19. We accept submissions in
both official languages as well as modern languages.
Disclaimer
An honest attempt has been made to secure permission for
and acknowledge contributions of all material used. If there
are any errors or omissions, these are wholly unintentional
and the editor will be grateful to learn of them.
2

LIFESAVER HERO: BEN CARSON
by Dr. Renee Shackelford
I did not like school very much and there was no
reason why I should,” recalls Ben Carson. “I was the dumbest
kid in the class. What did I have to look forward to? The
others laughed at me and made jokes about me every day.”
But Carson’s mother knew that
education was the only way he was
ever going to escape poverty and
ridicule. She made Ben and his
brother limit their television viewing
to two programs per week. His
mother also required that he and his
brother each read two books per week
and do written reports on them. Dr.
Carson recalls, “I was in the fifth grade and had never read
a whole book.” With the encouragement of his mother, Ben
Carson became a reader.”
After the fifth grade, Carson not only excelled in
school but went on to become a leader in neuroscience as
head of John Hopkins University’s Pediatric Neurosurgery
unit. Carson is known as the originator of ground-breaking
surgical procedures, a doctor who turns seemingly impossible
hopes into joyous reality. He is a humanitarian who reaches
beyond corporate boardrooms to touch the lives of inner-city
kids.
His message to adults and children is really
inspiring. In a September 1997 interview with PBS he spoke
about overcoming obstacles and working to make the world
a better place for everyone:
“As a person who deals in the neural sciences, I’ve come
to have great respect for the brain and its capabilities. You
know, the brain can process two million bits of information
per second. It remembers everything you’ve ever seen,
everything you’ve ever heard, and with brains like these, we
really shouldn’t be wandering around talking about what we
can’t do; we should be trying to create an atmosphere that
helps our young people to realize that, whatever they can
imagine, they can achieve.”
Dr. Carson has written a book about his life, Gifted
Hands: A True Story of Healing and Inspiration, which is
to be made into a motion picture. A review of this book
described it as a portrait of a man’s “extraordinary path to
success.” When his journey began, he was living in poverty,
had a pathological temper, poor self-esteem and awful
grades. Now this same person has been profiled on the ABC
News show 20/20, listed in Who’s Who in America, and
received the American Black Achievement Award. There is
also a stage play based on his life. “Ben Carson, M.D.” ran
in Baltimore, Maryland for more than two years and was a
big success. His book, The Big Picture: Getting Perspective
on What’s Really Important in Life, explores how we can
overcome obstacles to take action on behalf of something
greater than ourselves. His book Think Big also explores
his life philosophy. Someone who has made such a dramatic
change in the course of his life can certainly inspire others to
have faith in their own intellect. This is what makes him a
hero.
3

SUCCESS STORY
The “First Year Teaching
Roller Coaster”
by: Karen Wakelam
Core French, Grades 4-8, The Prince Charles School
Limestone District School Board
Now that it is May and I have 8 months of teaching
under my belt I can finally see the end of the roller coaster
ride that I have been on. My head is no longer spinning,
my stomach no longer in knots. I am now taking the time
to reflect on a busy, exhausting, and stressful first year of
teaching with a sense of appreciation.
It was the first day of school, September 4th, 2007.
The bell rang and my heart almost leapt out of my chest. I
was now beginning the first day of my career as a teacher
and I felt like I had no idea what I was doing. “Aren’t
teachers supposed to know everything?” I kept repeating
to myself. However, I had so many unanswered questions:
What do I say to the students when I first meet them?
How do I introduce myself? How do I establish classroom
rules? I so desperately wished that I knew the answers to
these questions; however, now that I reflect back on that
very first day of school, I realize that you can only truly
know the answers once you have lived through this scary,
unknown situation. As I like to remind myself each and
every day: teachers only gain wisdom through experience.
And maybe that’s the important lesson for me and others
too. Knowledge is one thing, but experience and practice
turns that knowledge into wisdom.
Phewff! The first day was done; however,
September and October were just ahead and
full of loops and spins. These two months were
full of students challenging my authority. In the
back of my mind, I wanted to say “Go and see
your teacher!” knowing that last year my associate would
usually step in and resolve the problem; however, I was
now on my own. Eeeepp! How was I to deal with this?
Well I took a deep breath and forged ahead. Here too I had
the knowledge; I had even taken an elective on classroom
management for special needs children, but now I had to
test the theories just as the children tested me! Maybe I did
not always handle the situation the best way but what got
me through these first two months was taking the time each
night to reflect on my choices and decisions and to learn
from those that had worked as well as those that had not.
November rolled around and our first term
report cards were due. Ummm, excuse me?
How do you write a report card? Perhaps many
of you were or are in the same boat, but I had
little to no training on writing report cards in
Teacher’s College; however, rest assured that you will make
it through. Teaching is a profession with a strong sense of
community. I had amazing and much appreciated support
from colleagues and the administration. People took me
under their wing in order to ensure that I was successful
and you will also find those special people to help you
during your first year as well. In a sense I was picking up
the experience and the knowledge at the same time. I came
to appreciate that not all knowledge comes from a formal
course – my peers were and are like a living encyclopedia.
By the time Christmas hit, I looked like a
wreck – tears streaming down my face and
my hair out of place from the crazy roller
coaster ride. I physically could not push
myself anymore. I was ready for a break and
was seriously wondering how I was going to
make it through the next 8 months. Don’t worry: this is a
normal feeling and you will find the motivation and energy
to make it through each and every day!
The last 6 months, believe it or not, have
flown by and I am happy that my first year
of teaching is almost done but, believe it or
not too, I am sad as well. This year has been
one of the most trying years of my life but I
have grown as a person and as an educator.
I now know that the ups and downs that I will encounter
throughout my career will only help to make me a better
teacher. I hope that the remainder of my career is spent on
the yes, busy, exhausting, and stressful roller coaster of
teaching, but I know that this roller coaster has and will
help me grow!
4

Success at Nipissing University:
Increasing the number of French teachers
in our Education program
The following success story is an interview between
Faten Hanna, Editor of Communications, and
Dr. Cher Harvey of Nipissing University.
Faten: Cher, at the OMLTA conference we were talking about the
shortage of French teachers and you mentioned that enrollment of FSL
students has increased at Nipissing. Why is this happening?
Cher: It’s hard to determine exactly. Our consecutive B. Ed students
come from all over Ontario. We know they are interested in our
Laptop program, our International Practice Teaching program and,
hopefully, have heard good things about our FSL programs. But a
few years ago, I wondered if I could be more pro-active in my own
university to promote careers in teaching French. I brainstormed, then
implemented the following ideas:
1. First, I obtained a bulletin board dedicated for FSL programs to
provide information, to inspire students to become French teachers,
and to share pride in being bilingual.
2. I change the bulletin board regularly with displays such as:
A) Beautifully illustrated, computer generated posters by
Senior French Elective students that share their pride in
being bilingual. For example:
• Learning another language allows you to communicate
with more people in your country and in your travels around
the world - Mary Bugay, Guelph
• Being bilingual expands your knowledge and doubles the
things you can learn. I’ve learned so much about people,
places and things! -Novella Piovesan, Niagara Falls
• Learning French as a second language allows me to recognize
new possibilities and interpret life from a whole new
perspective. - Bruce Forsythe, Ottawa
B) Posters and pamphlets about federally funded opportunities to
learn French such as the Explore and Odyssey programs
C) Information on study abroad programs in Francophone countries
D) Displays of articles from Professionally Speaking and CPF that
outline the need for more French teachers in FSL and French first
language schools
Faten: So you are trying to reach the students
when they begin their B.A. degree?
Cher: Yes, because it takes many years
to develop skills in language. I want to
encourage students in the Faculty of Arts
and in our Concurrent Education Program
to consider being French teachers when
they first arrive at Nipissing, so they have
the time to prepare themselves linguistically,
choosing French courses to develop their skills in French throughout
their years of learning at Nipissing. I create posters entitled “Be a
spark! Be a French Teacher!” and outline advantages of having two
teachables. As well, brief five minute presentations to students in the
first year concurrent programs allow me to tell them about the job
opportunities, invite them into our FSL programs, provide information,
and answer questions.
Faten: And are these students able to pass Nipissing’s French Test for
entry into the Education programs?
Cher: Well, a lot of students pass, but certainly
not all of them. In the past few years I think I
have done a better job of informing students
about the test so they are better prepared. We
want them to succeed! Our French Language
Proficiency Test includes both an oral and
written component that students must pass. If
they fail the test, we provide feedback to indicate what to study for
the next test. All candidates have the opportunity to write the test a
second time. To provide information about the test, I post envelopes
with handouts entitled: Preparing for the French Language Proficiency
Test; Facts about FSL Qualifications; and, Teaching French in the
Francophone School System. These handouts disappear by the
hundreds!
Faten: And are the enrollment numbers up?
Cher: Yes. Although we have not conducted a formal study, we have
noticed a steady increase in the number of students writing the entrance
test. Enrollment in our Senior Elective has remained high for the last
three years, double what it was about five years ago. In 2007-2008,
we had an increase in numbers in the Intermediate French Elective,
necessitating two sections of students. And, we continue to offer FSL
1 courses in North Bay, Timmins, Sudbury, Newmarket and Brantford
in the summer. I like to think that, in some small way, perhaps I am
making a difference.
Faten: Thanks, Cher. Perhaps other FSL professors will be interested
in trying some of the same ideas to increase enrollment in their
programs.
Cher: You’re very welcome, Faten. I think that all stakeholders in
FSL education need to look at a variety of ways to attract young people
into our profession to maintain quality FSL education in Ontario and
in all of Canada. If each of us asks “What can I do?” perhaps we will
make a difference!
5

Pete Cecile
President
Greater Essex County District
School Board
Susan Forrester
2nd Vice-President
Trillium Lakelands District
School Board
Louisa Bianchin
Past President
Sudbury Catholic District
School Board
Helen Griffin
Treasurer
Thames Valley District School
Board
Linda Hendry
1st Vice-President
Waterloo Region District School
Board
Wanda West-Gerber
Secretary
Waterloo Region District School
Board
Michèle Babcock
Limestone District School Board
Daniel Dionne
Webmaster
Ottawa-Carleton Catholic District
School Board
Kim Lundquist
Simcoe County District School
Board
6

Faten Hanna
Editor – Communication
Dufferin-Peel Catholic District
School Board
Heather Henke
Avon Maitland District School
Board
Anne Popovich
Wentworth District School Board
Jennifer Rochon
Toronto District School Board
M. Carmen Romero
Toronto Catholic District School
Board
Karla Torrente-Lepage
Durham District School Board
Heidi Locher
Administrative Assistant
One hundred years from now it will not matter
what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I
lived in, how much money I had in the bank,
nor what my clothes looked like.
One hundred years from now it will not
matter what kind of school I attended, what
kind of computer I used, how large or small my
community, but the world may be a little better,
because... I was important in the life of a child.
7

Languages Rock! Les langues, ça rock!
A warm thank you to all the delegates, exhibitors, presenters and volunteers who helped make the conference a great success. We
were also pleased that Jean-Benoît Nadeau was able to attend as our keynote speaker. His address was well-received, and he had
the opportunity to speak to the largest crowd in his professional career.
We have received very supportive comments about the move towards the use of less paper and plastic. Our preliminary program
will once again be available on-line in 2009, and we are hopeful to be able to do on-line registration as well. Our ability to accept
Visa and Mastercard has helped to make this possible! We will keep you posted!
Please ensure that you maintain your membership in 2009! Your membership puts you on the mailing list for emails from the
association, thus “keeping you in the loop”!
Thank you also to the presenters who provided their handouts to us electronically. You may access these documents on our
website, www.omlta.org, in the “Conferences” section. Many teachers have already found this to be very convenient.
I extend an invitation to all of our delegates to consider offering a workshop, either at the Spring Conference, or at the Fall Conference (if you prefer a smaller venue
for an inaugural presentation). Teachers say, again and again, that they appreciate hearing from colleagues during workshops. We especially invite teachers of Spanish,
German and Italian to share their knowledge and expertise. Find a colleague, and give a workshop together, perhaps! Info is available on our website.
Lastly, I would like to extend my personal thanks to the Planning Committee (Wanda West-Gerber, Heather Henke, Antoinette Minutillo, Brenda Lessard and our
Administrative Assistant, Heidi Locher) for their diligence, generosity of time and effort, good counsel and collegiality. It is through the volunteer efforts of educators
and the Board of Directors that this conference becomes a reality each year. Thanks also to Sandy Smith, Maureen Smith and Christine Roberts for their help.
Susan Forrester, 2nd Vice-President of the OMLTA, will chair our conference in 2009. Please assist her and her team in making the 2009 conference a great success
too!
Linda Hendry
Chair, 2008 OMLTA/AOPLV Spring Conference
8

A warm thank you to all
the delegates, exhibitors,
presenters and volunteers
who helped make the
conference a great
success.
9

FRENCHSTOCK
On Monday, April 28th, 2500 elementary French Immersion and Core French students from the Greater Essex County District
School Board and the Windsor Essex Catholic School Board enjoyed the exciting concert “Frenchstock” at the St. Clair Centre for the
Arts. Singers Etienne, Zoléo, Beebo, Jacquot, and Juli Powers joined magician Marc Tardif for the two hour concert. “Frenchstock”
was generously funded by the federal government to promote French language learning. Students prepared for the concert by learning
the songs featured at the concert and each student received a free CD with songs from each artist. All of the students had a chance to get
the performers’ autographs at the end of the concert.
C’était fantastique!
Pete Cecile
Teacher Consultant - Languages
Greater Essex County D.S.B.
10

Life is not a destination. Life is a journey.
As long as you continue the journey,
you will always be a success.
~ Albert Camus ~
1. Marry the right person. This one decision will
determine 90% of your happiness or misery.
2. Work at something you enjoy and that’s worthy
of your time and talent.
3. Give people more than they expect and
do it cheerfully.
4. Become the most positive and enthusiastic
person you know.
5. Be forgiving of yourself and others
6. Have a grateful heart.
7. Persistence, persistence, persistence.
8. Discipline yourself to save money on even the
most modest salary.
9. Treat everyone you meet like you want
to be treated.
10. Commit yourself to constant improvement.
11. Commit yourself to quality.
12. Understand that happiness is not based on
possessions, power or prestige, but on
relationships with people you love and respect.
13. Be generous.
14. Be loyal.
15. Be honest
16. Be a self-starter.
17. Be decisive even if it means you’ll sometimes
be wrong.
18. Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for
every area of your life.
19. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on
your life, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do
more than the ones you did.
20. Take good care of those you love.
21. Don’t do anything that wouldn’t make
your Mom proud.
by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
Life isn’t just about keeping score.
It’s not about how many people call you
And it’s not about who you’ve dated or haven’t dated at all.
What sport you play,
Or which guy or girl likes you.
It’s not about your shoes or your hair
Or the color of your skin,
Or where you live or go to school.
In fact, it’s not about grades, money,
Clothes, or colleges that accept you or not.
Life isn’t about if you have lots of friends or if you are
alone,
And it’s not about how accepted or unaccepted you are.
Life just isn’t about that.
But life is about who you love and who you hurt.
It’s about how you feel about yourself.
It’s about trust, happiness, and compassion.
It’s about avoiding jealousy, overcoming ignorance
And building confidence.
It’s about what you say and what you mean.
It’s about seeing people for who they are and not what
they have.
Most of all it is about choosing to
use your life
In a way that could never have been
achieved otherwise.
These choices are what life’s about.
1. In a group of three: 1 time, 1 reciter and 1 counter.
2. Try to say a tongue twister as many times as you can.
3. Each person gets one attempt.
Time line: 1 minute or less. BONNE CHANCE!
• Si six cent scies scient six cent saucisses, six cent six scies scieront six cent
six saucissons
• Seize jacinthes sèchent dans seize sachets secs.
• Un chasseur sachant chasser sait chasser sans son chien de chasse.
• Je suis ce que je suis et si je suis ce que je suis, qu’est-ce que je suis?
• Un dragon gradé dégrade un gradé dragon.
• Un pâtissier qui pâtissait chez un tapissier qui tapissait, dit un jour au
tapissier qui tapissait: vaut-il mieux pâtisser chez un tapissier qui tapisse ou
tapisser chez un pâtissier qui pâtisse?
11

2008 Spring Conference
PUBLISHERS/EXHIBITORS Prizes
Un gros merci to the publishers and exhibitors who
graciously donated the following prizes to the winning
participants at the OMLTA Spring Conference this year.
• ACPI, Two gift bags
• AIM Language Learning, 2 CDs & teaching material
• Apprentisage Illimité , Set of readers/lecteurs
• Aquila Communications, Books – Set of three
readers, set of two readers
• Canadian Education Exchange Foundation, Backpack
• Cahiers d’activités N.G., Four Activity Books
• Canadian Parents for French - Ontario, Sweatshirt
• Canadian Association Second Language Teachers,
Assessment kit, posters
• Carlson W. Travels, Chapters Gift Certificate
• Centre franco-ontarien de resources pédagogiques/
Librairie du Centre, Book – Des vertes et des pas mûres
• Chenelière Éducation, Two Teacher kits
• Consulat de France, Deux dictionnaires,
quinze livres variés
• Duval Education, $50 Gift certificate
• EF Educational Tours, Back pack
• Editions Marie France Ltée, Three workbooks
• Éditions Soleil publishing Inc., $25 Gift certificate
• Ellison Tours, $50 Chapters Gift certificate
• Rosetta Stone, Five one month online
memberships to Rosetta Stone
• French Teacher.com, Program Unit book and Workbooks
• Girol Books, Three dictionaries
• Goethe Institute Toronto, Umbrella
• Hachette Education, Reader
• ISE Ontario, Backpack and a $50 Gift certificate
for OMLTA membership
• Jacquot, CD de musique
• Le français…oui, oui, oui! Ltée, CD and toolkit
• Learning Spirit, Copy of Grammaire sous la main
• Les Éditions CEC, Several Readers
• Les Éditions RDL, Two $25 gift certificates
• Les Éditions à Reproduire, two $25 Gift Certificates
• McGraw-Hill Ryerson, Book – Beginning French
• Myosotis Presse, Dictionnaire
• Nelson Education, Card game
• Pearson Education Canada, Literacy practice book
• Pearson – ERPI, Professional Development book
• Perspectives Eduscho, Two dozen travel drink
bottles, five travel mugs, five tote bags, five portfolios
• Poster Pals, $50 gift certificate
• Productions Alléluia!,Workbook
• Prologue, Readers
• Prometour Educational Tours, five School Atlas
• R. K. Publishing, Textbook kit
• Rand-McNally Canada, five Atlas books
• Rigodon / Mariposa in the Schools, two music CDs
• Scholar’s Choice Moyer, $25 gift certificate
• The Resource Centre, Spanish dictionary
• Thomson Nelson, Five French dictionaries
• Tralco - Lingo Fun, DVD and Book
• Vista Higher Learning, Spanish DVD
• Wintergreen, Two gift bags
• Word Nerd Language & Education, Language Logic Book
12
Adam Smit
Waterloo Region District School Board
Amelia O’Seasnain Toronto Montessori School College
Andrea Paturel
Thomas Valley D.S.B.
Anne Sagar
York Region D.S.B.
Bernadine Verstraeter Woodland Christian High School
Bryan J. Smith
College Ave Secondary School
Carmen DeVincenzo Thames Valley District School Board
Cathy Fretz
Renfrew County Catholic District
Christina Schilling Halton District School Board
Cindy Armstrong Lambton Kent School Board
Danielle Gégoux Waterloo Regional District School Board
Denise Baker
Simcoe County D.S.B.
Diane Kronpsky Durham District School Board
Eileen Currie
York Region D.S.B.
Gisele Gallacher Waterloo Region District School Board
Gisèle Wilson
Bluewater District School Board
Guy Mellan
OMLTA Life Member
Helen Chesire
Simcoe County District School Board
Janet Molzan
Greater Essex County D.S.B.
Janet Smith
Lambton Kent District School Board
Janice Ritz
Waterloo Region School Board
Jean Rochon
Toronto Distcit School Board
Jean Chorostecki Peel School Board
Josie Martino
Peel School Board
Julia Nash
University of Waterloo
Julie Guèvremont Ottawa Catholic School Board
Kelly Vaine Simcoe County D. S. B.
Kim Lundquist
Sudbury Catholic D.S.B.
Kim McCutcheon Waterloo Region D.S.B.
Koren Watron
Halton District S.B.
Kristin Doak
York Region District School Board
Larissa Klein
Thames Valley District School Board
Leonard Semajuste Catholic District S, B. of Eastern Ontario
Lianne Chumley Waterloo Region D. S. B.
Lisa DeNobile-Blasato Simcoe Muskoka CDSB
Lois Hayward
Waterloo Region D.S.B.
Lynn Tremblay
Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario
Marie Ruggiero
Niagara Catholic S.B.D.
Marilyn Talbot
York Region District School Board
Marlene Zieske
Waterloo Region D.S.B.
Maryanne Coniglio York Catholic D.S.B.
Michael Green
Waterloo Region D.S.B.
Michael Phillips Toronto DistrictSB
Monica Allison
London District Catholic School Board
Monica Hartman Waterloo Regional Schooll Board
Morgan Truemner Lambton Kent Composite School
Nancy Pauls
Waterloo Region District SB
Natalie D’Elia
Halton District School Board
Natalie Holoka
Ottawa Catholic S.B.
Nawal Deir
Toronto Catholic DSB
Patricia Stack Ottawa Carleton Catholic S. B.
Paul Leclerc
Toronto District SB
Roanne Maletto
Catholic School Board of Eastern Ontario
Rosa Ceppaione Windsor Essex Catholic D.S.B.
Sarah Surtees
Nipissing-Parry Sound Catholic DSB
Tabatha Smith
Renfrew County D.S.B.
Teresa Georgiou Toronto Catholic D.S.B.
Win Braunsch
London District Catholic School Board

BRANCHEZ-VOUS!
Par: Helen Griffin
SUCCESS!
Discover Languages
www.DiscoverLanguages.org
This site is a new campaign which builds on the momentum of the 2005 Year of Languages. Its goal is to raise public awareness about the importance of learning languages and
understanding cultures. It includes What’s Going On, Classroom Resources, Information on Languages, Information for Parents, Featured Websites and Podcasts. A fun link is
“Are you smarter than a language teacher?”… give it a try!
World Languages Day
clear.msu.edu/clear/store/moreinfo.php?product_ID=47
This site allows you to download information that may be needed in order to plan a “World Languages Day”. It was created by CLEAR (Centre for Language Education
and Research) at Michigan State University. It is hoped that the step-by-step planning guide will stimulate interest in learning languages and will highlight the importance of
cultural awareness. The steps included are Rationale, Laying the groundwork, Funding, Publicity, Presenters and sessions, Participating schools, Registration, Logistics, Exhibit
area, Volunteers and Evaluations. There are also appendices which include sample budgets, programs, session descriptions, ads, timelines, letter templates and other useful
information. All the makings for a successful learning opportunity.
Anniversaire du Québec
The following websites have been created to celebrate Québec city’s 400th anniversary:
☺ http://www.quebec400.gc.ca/bienvenue-welcome-fra.cfm
Site officiel de la ville de Québec
☺ http://www.quebecregion.com/f/
☺ http://monquebec2008.sympatico.msn.ca/MonQuebec2008/
☺ http://www.carrefour-education.qc.ca/quebec_400/index.html
Carrefour éducation – Espace pédagogique du 400e anniversaire de Québec
En collaboration avec plusieurs partenaires, Carrefour éducation a mis en œuvre un espace pédagogique pour le 400e anniversaire de Québec. Quatre grands thèmes
ont été ciblés dans le cadre de cette initiative :
• Les Premiers occupants;
• Les voyages de Champlain et la fondation de la ville;
• L’architecture et le patrimoine;
• La culture française en Amérique.
Dans chacun de ces thèmes, vous trouverez une synthèse des principaux évènements historiques et diverses suggestions de ressources pédagogiques. Vous pouvez également
avoir accès à des sites Web pertinents, des scénarios pédagogiques, des expositions virtuelles, des banques d’images, des évènements et des sorties éducatives.
L’écho d’un peuple
www.echodunpeuple.ca
Ce site a les activités et les liens web qui soulignent la culture et l’histoire franco-ontariennes.
Le site officiel des Jeux olympiques et paralympiques d’hiver 2010 !
http://www.vancouver2010.com/fr
Vancouver successfully won the bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics and this bilingual site is full of interesting information about the event. Il y a un appel pour les bénévoles…
vos talents et vos habiletés linguistiques peuvent être mis à contribution pour aider à la réussite des Jeux olympiques et paralympiques d’hiver de 2010 à Vancouver, dans les
deux langues officielles du Canada. Vous trouverez toutes les informations et pourrez poser votre candidature sur ce site, ou bien sur le site de Workopolis, http://promotions2.
workopolis.com/content/promotions/volunteer/fr/index.html.
How to Learn a Foreign Language
http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/learn-foreign-language/
This site lists the 5 keys to success in foreign language learning according to Steve Kaufmann.
Podcasts a Resounding Success in Foreign Language Classes by James Cain
http://web.mit.edu/ist/isnews/v22/n02/220201.html
In this article, the author gives links to a ChinesePod but also supplies specific links to resources that would enable someone to create their own podcast. Worth checking out!
Ten Tips for Language Learning Success
http://www.vistawide.com/languages/languagetips.htm
“If you’re a first-time language learner, you know that emotional ups and downs come with the territory. When you understand a concept or begin to comprehend the language,
you may experience feelings of exhilaration. However, these are often followed by moments of frustration and discouragement, during which you might fell as if you will never
master the concepts and attain the ability to understand and communicate effectively.” This site then lists time-tested, research-verified approaches that may increase success in
the language.
Key Factors in Language Learning Success by Mollie Immel-Brown
http://www.linguaguide.com/articles/16/1/Key-Factors-in-Language-Learning-Success/Page1.html
The author lists five specific factors that influence the language learner.
Source: David Crystal. “The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language.” Second Edition
Before You Know It
http://www.byki.com/byki_descr.html
At this site you can download the BYKI lite version of the software for FREE. There are 63 languages to choose from and each language has about a dozen word lists and
phrases. The word lists relate to a specific theme like going to a restaurant and include cards that you click on which have the English translation on one side and the word in the
target language on the other. A bonus of the software is that you can hear the pronunciation of each word by a native speaker. The software is simple and there are no bells &
whistles; however, it is one way to hear and practice the target language.
Language Learning with New Media and Video Games
http://www.lingualgamers.com/thesis/
“Abstract: In recent years, a sharp increase in the number of academic studies around the use of video games and new media for educational purposes has greatly expanded our
understanding of their potential for enhancing learning. At the same time, the field of foreign language pedagogy has been racing to keep pace with the numerous opportunities
afforded by the internet and interactive media forms. Surprisingly, however, there has been little cross-over between the two bodies of academic literature. This site seeks to
present many of the latest theories in game studies and new media literacies alongside theories of language learning. Numerous examples are presented of how video games and
web applications such as The Sims 2, Grim Fandango, Google Earth, Social Networking, DVD functionality and others could shift the way we approach language learning.”
13

Le mot de la fin ...
LE SAVIEZ-VOUS ?
40 INFOS SURPRENANTES SUR LE FRANÇAIS
Tiré de La Grande aventure de la langue française
de Julie Barlow et Jean-Benoît Nadeau
LANGUE MONDIALE
• Le français occupe le deuxième rang, après l’anglais,
pour le nombre de pays où il est langue officielle - 33
contre 45. Et le nombre de pays membre de la
Francophonie, 53, est égal à ceux du
Commonwealth.
• Le français est aussi la seule autre langue, avec
l’anglais, enseignée dans tous les pays du globe à
plus de 100 millions d’élèves par deux millions de
profs – dont 20 % hors francophonie.
• Kinshasa est la deuxième plus grande ville francophone
du monde, après Paris, et avant Montréal et Bruxelles.
• Le nombre de locuteurs du français a TRIPLÉ
depuis 1945, car la plupart des anciennes colonies
françaises et belges ont conservé le français comme
langue officielle, d’administration, de gouvernement,
de science, d’éducation et de diplomatie après la
décolonisation.
• Sept millions d’Américains parlent français, tout
comme la moitié de la population algérienne et 15%
de la population israélienne.
• Le français est toujours langue de travail à l’ONU,
à l’UE et dans des douzaines d’organisations comme
le Comité international de la Croix-Rouge, Médecins
sans frontières, et l’Organisation internationale du
travail. Les pays francophones forment des blocs
considérables à l’ONU, l’UE, l’Union africaine et la
ligue arabe.
• Deux pays du G-8 (France et Canada) et six pays
d’Europe (France, Belgique, Suisse, Roumanie,
Luxembourg, Monaco) sont entièrement ou
partiellement francophones.
AFFAIRES, SCIENCE, TOURISME
• La France est toujours le pays le plus visité au
monde, avec plus de 75 millions de touristes
chaque année.
• C’est à des chercheurs et inventeurs francophones
que l’on doit le premier vol humain, le cinéma, le
pneu radial, les cartes à puce, la motoneige, le
saxophone, le Velcro et bien d’autres inventions.
• La multinationale Areva, dont le siège social est
à Paris, est la plus grande firme spécialisée en
énergie nucléaire civil.
• La plus grande firme de génie international au
monde est SNC-Lavalin, de Montréal.
• Toulouse et Montréal, avec Seattle, sont les trois
principales villes d’aéronautique.
• La technologie de la compression de la voix,
nécessaire au milliard de téléphone cellulaire,
fut breveté à l’Université de Sherbrooke.
• Cotonou, en Guyane Française, est la base de
lancement des fusées Ariane, seul programme de
lanceur spatiaux commercialement rentable.
CULTURE
• La dernière édition d’Astérix fut imprimée à 7
millions d’exemplaires, en français seulement,
et traduite en 23 langues.
• La production cinématographique française – 500
films par an – se classe au second rang mondial
et compte plus d’auditeur hors des frontières
qu’en France. Au Canada, les films québécois
enregistrent souvent plus de ventes au guichet que
les superproductions hollywoodiennes.
• L’agence universitaire de la Francophonie réunit
630 universités dans le monde et 350 facultés
de français, pour un total de plus de 120 000
chercheurs et professeurs.
• Nombre de grands auteurs francophones encore
vivants – Milan Kundera, Nancy Houston,
Jonathan Littel, Andreï Makhine, Tahar Ben Jeloun,
Dany Laferrière, François Cheng – n’ont pas le
français pour langue maternelle.
LANGUE
• Le premier recensement linguistique du monde, à
la Révolution française, a montré que 75 % des
Français ne parlaient toujours pas le français.
Jusqu’au 19e siècle, le français était plus pratiqué
en Hollande et en Allemagne que dans certaines
parties de la France.
14

• Entre le tiers et la moitié du vocabulaire de base
en anglais vient du français, incluant des termes
comme pedigree, surf, view, catch, chase, strive,
staunch, challenge, pride, et war.
• Le purisme français et l’Académie française ont
pour origine un seul homme, non pas le cardinal
Richelieu comme on le croit souvent, mais le poète
François de Malherbe.
• Première organisation officielle vouée à la
modernisation d’une langue, L’Académie française,
crée en 1635, a servi d’inspiration pour des
organisations similaires pour la plupart des
principales langues du monde parlées dans les plus
grands pays, incluant les pays hispanophones,
scandinaves, germanophones, russophones et
arabophones. Les pays anglophones sont la seule
exception.
• La langue française compte plus d’un million de
termes et en crée quelque 20 000 nouveaux
chaque année.
• La banque terminologique du Québec reçoit
50 millions de demandes d’information par année,
dont la moitié provenant d’Europe : c’est 25 fois
plus que n’en reçoit le site de l’Académie française.
AU CANADA
• La Nouvelle-France et l’Acadie furent entièrement
de langue française deux siècles avant la France.
• Le système québécois d’aménagement linguistique
a inspiré des mesures similaires dans un grand
nombre de pays, dont la France, l’Espagne,
le Brésil, le Japon et 33 États américains.
• En dehors du Québec, 300 000 élèves canadiens
sont inscrits dans des classes d’immersion française
chaque année. Et trois millions d’adultes dont la
langue maternelle n’est pas le français déclarent
parler le français comme langue seconde.
• L’Ontario compte un demi-million de Franco-
Ontariens, et leur drapeau est l’un des
sept emblèmes officiels de la province.
• Les Acadiens se sont donné un drapeau et un
hymne national un siècle avant le Canada. Le
Nouveau-Brunswick fut la première province
à se déclarer officiellement bilingue et
demeure encore la seule.
• Jusqu’en 1930, toutes les lois de protection
linguistiques visaient à protéger l’anglais ou
à forcer l’assimilation des francophones.
• Les huit et neuf millions de Nords-Américains de
langue maternelle française descendent de seulement
10 000 colons français.
• Le Canada est l’un des rares pays au monde à
faire usage de la Common Law en français. Les
juristes du Nouveau-Brunswick ont participé à la
rédaction de la constitution de l’île Maurice.
AUX ÉTATS-UNIS
• Le français est la quatrième
langue aux États-Unis,
pour le nombre de locuteurs, et la
seconde pour le nombre d’élèves.
Plus de 7 millions d’Américain le parle.
• Le Québec est le 8e partenaire commercial
des États-Unis, et plus d’un demi-million
d’Américains travaillent pour des
multinationales françaises.
• Les premières figures légendaires du Far West
américain étaient des Canadiens français nés dans
la vallée du Saint-Laurent. Ils ont guidé
Lewis et Clark, colonisé le Nouveau-Mexique,
ouvert la route du chemin de fer et découvert les
premières pépites d’or en Californie.
• New York, la Californie et la Floride ont
maintenant rejoint la Louisiane et la Nouvelle-
Angleterre comme principaux centres
francophones aux États-Unis.
• Aux États-Unis, la moitié des films étrangers et
30% des livres d’origines étrangères
sont en français.
DANS LE COMMONWEALTH
• Le Royaume-Uni et l’Irlande sont le siège de
14 alliances françaises, plus d’une cinquantaine de
clubs français et de 9 lycées et collèges français.
Plus d’un demi-million d’élèves et d’étudiants
apprennent le français entre la maternelle
et l’université.
• Cinq pays du Commonwealth ont le français et
l’anglais comme langue officielle : le Canada, le
Cameroun, Maurice, les Seychelles et Vanuatu.
• C’est à Londres que le Québec a créé sa première
délégation à statut quasi diplomatique dès 1871,
soit quelques années après que le Canada
eut acquis son indépendance en 1867.
15

LE CONCOURS D’ART ORATOIRE
2008
Le Concours annuel d’art oratoire en français langue seconde, organisé par CPF, a eu lieu le 10 mai 2008 au
Collège Glendon de l’Université de York à Toronto. Le concours était un grand succès, plus que 300 élèves de 31
conseils scolaires de l’Ontario ont participé cette année.
Plus que 60 enseignants ontariens de langue française se sont portés volontaires pour participer comme
officiels pour évaluer les discours. Nous tenons à remercier tous les enseignants qui ont participé et de donner
généreusement de leur temps. Sans eux et leur générosité le concours ne pourrait avoir lieu!
Les meilleurs orateurs de l’Ontario ont participé dans quatre catégories différentes. Les lauréats provinciaux
du secondaire accèderont ensuite au Concours national du CPF qui se déroulera samedi 31 mai 2008 à
Ottawa. OMLTA/AOPLV voudrait féliciter tous les élèves qui ont participé au Concours provincial pour leurs
performances et leur courage, et leur souhaitons bonne chance.
En attendant impatiemment le Concours 2009!
Faten Hanna
Coordinatrice des Juges
Place First Name Last Name Title Of Speech School Board Grade Category
1st place Ana Klimovic L'importance du positif Toronto DSB 11 Imm
2nd place Brigitte Stepanov La vie sur notre terre Ottawa Carleton DSB 11 Imm
3rd place Joe McGrade Les pesticides Toronto Catholic DSB 11 Imm
1st place Kristina Hick La science de l'amour Ottawa Carleton DSB 11 Ext
2nd place Victoria-Cate May-Burton Ce qui compte dans l'histoire de la surpopulation Ottawa Carleton DSB 11 Ext
3rd place Ali Daneshvar L'échange éducatif Toronto DSB 12 Ext
1st place Farrahnaz Bulsara Ma petite rencontre en Inde Ottawa Carleton DSB 12 Core
2nd place Ariya Hagh Maurice Ravel - artiste et internationaliste York Region DSB 11 Core
3rd place Christine Ishu Le défi de l'adolescence Dufferin-Peel Catholic DSB 12 Core
1st place Sandra Huynh Une vie moderne sans cellulaire, est-ce possible? Dufferin-Peel Catholic DSB 12 FSL+
2nd place Rebecca Mukuna-Mujinga Sans domicile fixe Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic DSB 12 FSL+
3rd place Marguerite Comeau L'amour Ottawa Carleton DSB 11 FSL+
1st place Daniel Mount L'injustice contre Robert Latimer Toronto DSB 10 Imm
2nd place Luiza Jaroszek La signification des couleurs Toronto Catholic DSB 10 Imm
3rd place Bianca Braganza L'amitié Independent Schools 9 Imm
1st place Ben Sher Les célébrités - nos héros? Ottawa Carleton DSB 10 Ext
2nd place Laura McEown L'intelligence Independent Schools 9 Ext
3rd place Chuqiao Wang Mon histoire Ottawa Carleton DSB 9 Ext
1st place David Liu Apprendre le français York Region DSB 10 Core
2nd place Michelle Lee Les voyages Toronto DSB 10 Core
3rd place Dimitar Kolev Les différences entre Canada et Bulgarie Waterloo Region DSB 10 Core
1st place Stefania Lista Le discours et le vin Toronto Catholic DSB 9 FSL+
2nd place Gemma Caprio Montréal vs Toronto Independent Schools 10 FSL+
3rd place Yiqi Yang La poule ou l'oeuf Ottawa Carleton DSB 9 FSL+
Interested in writing an article for
COMMUNICATION?
E-mail: communication@omlta.org
16