CPF Magazine Spring 2024 Issue

Magazine 

SPRING 2024 

GROWING UP 

BI/MULTILINGUAL 

$6.95 • FREE FOR MEMBERS 

FRENCH CLASSES 

BOOST MY CONFIDENCE 

National French 

Immersion Day 

FRENCH FOOTPRINTS 

PODCAST SERIES

Membership Engagement Modernization 

CPF MEMBERSHIP IS BEING OFFERED FREE! 

At CPF, we need a large membership base to grow, to 

offer programming, to be accessible across the country 

and to continue our advocacy work. Our membership 

needs to be as diverse as Canada’s population. This 

modernized engagement and participatory approach 

will enable more parents and families joining our 

movement without any financial barriers. 

CPF Branches have begun to share wonderful 

newsletters inviting existing CPF members to convert 

to a digital membership with an invitation to donate. 

Instead of purchasing a yearly membership, we will 

invite members to support CPF through a $25 donation 

to our organization. On a practical level, this also allows 

members to redeem tax receipts for their valuable 

contribution to expanding French language learning. 

MEMBERS 

JOIN JOIN 

FOR FOR 

FREE FREE 

2024-2025 

Increased membership and 

participation are key to delivering 

the programs that benefit Canada’s 

youth and our collective future.

Magazine 

CANADIAN PARENTS FOR FRENCH 


www.cpf.ca 

CONTRIBUTORS 

Nicole Thibault, Dominique Labas, 

and other authors and organizations 

as noted in their articles. 

EDITORIAL MANAGER 

Dominique Labas 

GRAPHIC DESIGN 

Stripe Graphics Ltd. 

PRINTING 

Trico Packaging and Print Solutions 

SUBMISSIONS 

Canadian Parents for French 

1104 - 170 Laurier Ave. W. 

Ottawa, ON K1P 5V5 

(613) 235-1481, www.cpf.ca 

Advertising: Cathy Stone 

Canadian Parents for French 

Email: advertise@cpf.ca 

CPF Magazine is published three times per 

year for members of Canadian Parents for 

French. Our readership includes parents 

of students learning French as a second 

language, French language teachers, 

school board or district staff, and provincial, 

territorial and federal government staff 

responsible for official languages education. 

CHANGE OF ADDRESS 

To signal a change of address, 

contact Canadian Parents for French 

at (613) 235-1481, or email: 

cpf.magazine@cpf.ca 

Editorial material contained in this 

publication may not be reproduced 

without permission. 

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40063218 

Return undeliverable mail to Canadian 

Parents for French at the address above. 

To become an online subscriber, email 

cpf.magazine@cpf.ca. For an online version 

of this issue, visit www.cpf.ca. 


Table of Contents 

FEATURES 

3 French Classes Gave Me Confidence So Why Aren’t 

They More Accessible for Canadian Students? 

5 CPF Celebrated National French Immersion Day 

in April 2024 

7 Facts About French Immersion in Canada 

10 Growing up Bi/Multilingual Code Switchers Unite! 

14 Inclusion in French Immersion Kindergarten 

REGULAR ARTICLES 

2 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 

Ce n’est qu’un aurevoir! Bonne chance Marcos! 

In Memoriam: Claire Smitheram 

8 CPF BRANCHES 

Canadian Parents for French O'Poésie 

National FSL Poetry Contest 

12 CPF NETWORK 

French Footprints – New CPF Podcast Series 

16 CPF PARTNERS 

From Coast to Coast with Les 400 Coups 

18 CPF NETWORK 

CPF Welcomes Glendon Campus to the Family: 

A New 2024 Concours d'art oratoire Scholarship! 

Fondation Baxter & Alma Ricard Scholarships 

19 CPF BRANCHES 

CPF Saskatchewan Speaker Series 

20 KEY CPF CONTACTS ACROSS CANADA 

21 CPF YOUTH ACTIVITY 

Canadian Parents for French is a nationwide, research-informed, volunteer organization 

that promotes and creates opportunities to learn and use French for all those who 

call Canada home.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 

Spring is here, bringing fresh starts and sunny 

days! Inside this issue of CPF Magazine, you'll 

find articles and tips to inspire you and your child 

as we approach the end of the school year. 

April is National Volunteer Week, and CPF 

sent a big message of thanks to our amazing 

CPF volunteers across Canada! From tutoring to 

contest judges to board of directors and those 

helping in organizing events, their support is 

crucial to helping FSL students in each community 

thrive and succeed. 

We're excited to share some great news about 

French immersion success in Canada published in 

a new Statistics Canada, Census in brief 2021, report. Thanks to 

an advocacy event and social media, we are raising awareness 

and will continue to bust myths about elitism in French 

language learning. 

Check out our newly launched podcast series hosted by 

Madame Amy, perfect for parents of young bilingual learners. 

Plus, get updates from CPF branches in 

Saskatchewan and Quebec-Nunavut, featuring 

their inspiring Speakers Series and O’Poésie 

contest. 

Don't forget to follow CPF on social media 

for the latest updates and virtual events open 

to all members, no matter where you live in 

Canada. Being part of the CPF pan-Canadian 

network means access to resources and support 

for your family's French language journey from 

all parts of the country. 

We are grateful for your support and invite 

you to learn more about how CPF can help your 

family and to participate in our engaging member opportunities. 

Merci et à bientôt! n 

DERREK BENTLEY 

CPF NATIONAL PRESIDENT 

Ce n’est qu’un aurevoir! 

Bonne chance Marcos! 

CPF Network wishes 

to thank our outgoing 

Communications Manager, 

Marcos Salaiza, as he leaves 

CPF to embark on a new 

professional adventure. 

Marcos was responsible for 

the publication of the CPF 

Magazine for almost five 

years (the last 14 issues!), as 

well as playing an important 

role with external, media 

and government partners. His kind and efficient 

manner will be missed, and we wish him well. He 

represented CPF creating a linguistic security video, 

with Centre de la Francophonie des Amériques, 

during the ‘Journaliste de la relève’ project. 

His video can be viewed here: 

https://francophoniedesameriques.com/vosservices/programmes/formation 

enligne/ 

journalistes-releve/salaiza-marcos 

IN MEMORIAM 

Claire Smitheram 

The CPF Network has 

learned of the passing 

of Claire Smitheram on 

January 27, 2024. 

We extend our sincere 

condolences to her family. 

Claire was a passionate 

French educator, having 

worked diligently to 

introduce French Immersion 

to Prince Edward Island 

in the 1970s, then leading as a French consultant 

in the Ottawa Board of Education through the 

1980s, and serving as the national president of 

ACPI in 1985. 

To honour her legacy, her family has established 

an endowment fund to support French immersion 

graduates on Prince Edward Island. 

Donations can be made to the CPF PEl Claire 

Smitheram Legacy Fund: HERE. 

2 CPF MAGAZINE SPRING 2024

French Classes Gave 

Me Confidence 

So Why Aren’t They 

More Accessible for 

Canadian Students? 

From a young age, learning French had a positive 

impact on Ruhi Kalia's life. Her experience with the 

transformative power of the French language, not 

only in academia but throughout her life and career, 

has been profound. 

U 

nfortunately, the barriers 

Canadians face to learning in 

French continue to compound, 

and access to these learning opportunities 

is limited. For those who have the 

opportunity to learn French, the 

rewards are incredible. 

We caught up with Ruhi to learn 

more about her experience with the 

French language and the valuable 

personal and professional growth that 

she attributes to these learnings. She 

shares how French has opened her 

up to opportunities, her views on the 

limitations facing French education, and 

her vision for the future of French as a 

Second Language learning in Canada. 

Ruhi's Story 

Ruhi's journey with French began early 

on. In the first grade, her parents decided 

to enroll her in the Core French program 

at her elementary school. She continued 

her French studies through high school 

and carried on to the University of 

Ottawa, where she achieved a Bachelor 

of Arts in French. 

Throughout Ruhi's grade school 

studies, she benefited from the support 

of a French tutor, who practiced the 

language with her once a week from 

the first grade until she graduated 

high school. 

"She went on to become a French 

teacher." Ruhi shares, "So I would 

say that's inspired me quite a bit and 

given me the confidence to be able to 

communicate in French." 

Recently completing her 

undergraduate studies, Ruhi has set her 

sights on continuing to give back to the 

community by teaching French. This fall, 

she will begin a Bachelor of Education 

at the University of Ottawa, with a goal 

of teaching kindergarten to grade six in 

French as a Second Language. 

"French has been a huge part of my 

life, and when I was younger, I wasn't 

really sure how useful it would be for me. 

Once I was in high school, I realized that 

it's given me a lot of opportunities that I 

might not have had if I didn't know this 

amazing language." Ruhi shares. 

continued... 

CPF MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YW8JlkXNcm8 

She goes on to explain how a 

volunteer opportunity with Canadian 

Parents for French translated into 

tutoring roles and ultimately an employee 

position as Virtual Program Coordinator, 

where she oversees the French tutoring 

program and volunteer teams. 

"French has played a huge role – it's 

given me a lot of different volunteer and 

career opportunities. And now, when I 

go on to become a teacher, I'll be able to 

teach French too!" 

Building Foundational 

Skills; Creating Valuable 

Opportunities 

"It's so much fun to learn another 

language!" Ruhi exclaims as she discusses 

the skills she has acquired from French, 

"I really enjoy being able to communicate 

in a different language with so many 

people. It gave me a lot of confidence 

[growing up], and now being able to 

actually go out there and use my French 

[at work] – It's been an 

amazing experience." 

Stepping out of her comfort zone, better 

expressing herself, learning new study 

techniques, immersing herself in the 

French culture, and generally becoming 

more sociable are all skills she attributes 

to her French education. 

Her goal as a French teacher? To 

make a difference in the lives of children 

and inspire them to continue to practice 

their French throughout their lives. 

Barriers to French Language 

Learning in Canada 

Reflecting on her time working with 

Canadian Parents for French, Ruhi 

emphasizes her growing understanding 

of the accessibility barriers to learning 

French in Canada. 

"Even in our tutoring program, a 

lot of the parents will say that their 

kids don't have French classes in their 

schools anymore. It's not part of their 

curriculum." She explains, "It's so 

important to be able to learn French 

because it's another language we speak 

here in Canada. It opens up so many 

different opportunities that people 

wouldn't have without that language 

and the skill set that comes along with 

learning French." 

Ruhi shares the impact of 

empowering children to explore new 

languages, "From what I've seen, the 

kids in our program, they're always 

super excited and enthusiastic about 

learning the language when they get that 

opportunity." 

If it were up to Ruhi, everyone would 

have the opportunity to access French 

learning resources and education. 

"It's so important to encourage 

students, especially when they're quite 

young, and teach them all the benefits 

that you can get from [French], especially 

later on in life." n 

Our mission at Canadian Parents for French 

(CPF) is to continue supporting French 

language ambassadors like Ruhi, and 

to increase access to French education 

across the country so that more students 

can experience the positive impact of 

bilingualism on their lives. To learn more 

about CPF's mission, visit cpf.ca 


The Canadian Parents for French national network joined with its linguistic 

duality partners to raise public awareness of the important contribution of 

French immersion toward a strong, dynamic and bilingual Canadian society. 

National French Immersion Day is 

celebrated on the fourth Wednesday 

of April each year. It is coordinated 

by the Canadian Association of Immersion 

Professionals (ACPI) and promoted with 

the support of like-minded organizations. 

This year's theme, “Our Languages, the 

bridge that unites”, allowed us to highlight 

the importance of linguistic and cultural 

diversity in our country, as well as the 

crucial role immersion programs play in 

promoting Canadian values. 

CPF created an infographic and 

launched a series of social media posts 

featuring statistics on enrolment in 

French immersion and the use of French 

in adulthood. CPF National joined CPF 

Ontario in hosting a MPP awareness 

breakfast at the Legislature Building in 

Toronto, Ontario, with a program that 

helped dispel commonly held beliefs and 

feature how the program delivery has 

evolved to be inclusive of all learners. 

We often hear that French immersion 

streams some students out of the program 

– while this may have been true in the 

past, it is no longer true! – The profile of 

student enrolment in French immersion in 

Canada is now as diverse as in the English 

programs. According to Statistics Canada, 

47% of school-aged children, with one 

year+ in French immersion, have an 

immigrant background. And nearly 

1 in 5 have a mother tongue other than 

English: such as Mandarin, Punjabi or 

Arabic. French Immersion in 2024 is for 

all learners. 

CPF wants to recognize the role that 

Canadians who have learned French – by 

means of French immersion or other 

FSL learning programs – play as allies 

in support of the vitality of French in 

all parts of Canada. Canada’s official 

languages create links between majority 

and minority language communities within 

the population and are at the heart of the 

Canadian identity and the social contact 

that unites us. 


“Think about the positive impact that this educational program has had in supporting the Canadian 

Francophonie and recognize the importance of the work that French immersion teachers do, making 

a significant impact on changing the lives of students from one end of Canada to the other,” shared 

Derrek Bentley, CPF National President. 

CPF Ontario with NDP Members of Ontario Provincial Parliament. 

Chantal Bourbonnais and Lesley Doell represented ACPI, the 

organization spearheading French Immersion Day, with 

Dr. Sharon Lapkin, U of T Professor Emeritus. 

Université d’Ottawa | University of Ottawa 

FRENCH IMMERSION 

at uOttawa 

A French Toast for French Immersion! Santé! Longue vie! 

The next step in 

bilingual education! 

• French immersion available in 75 undergraduate programs 

• All FSL students are eligible 

• Special courses to make the transition to bilingual 

university studies 

• An extra $1,000 per year for studying bilingually 

• An authentic bilingual environment in Canada’s capital 

Data was drawn from Participation in French immersion, bilingualism and 

the use of French in adulthood, 2021. Census in Brief, Statistics Canada – 

release date: February 28, 2024. This first analysis on participation in French 

immersion programs and on the impact of these programs on bilingualism in 

Canada’s two official languages were made possible thanks to new questions 

on language of instruction in the 2021 Census. The analysis was prepared 

by Dominique Pépin-Filion and Étienne Lemyre of the Language Statistics 

Program in Statistics Canada’s Centre for Demography. To access the full 

report: https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/as-sa/98- 

200-X/2021018/98-200-X2021018-eng.cfm. 

immersion@uOttawa.ca 

www.immersion.uOttawa.ca 


Facts About French Immersion in Canada 

How Many Canadians Benefit from French Immersion? 

1.6 

1.6 million adults and children 

whose mother tongue is not French 

have been enrolled. 

1 in 6 

MILLION 450,000 

Nearly 700,000 school-aged children, 

representing 1 in 6 (16.9%) of children 

aged 5 to 17 benefit. 

Nearly 450,000 school-aged 

children are currently enrolled 

(11.9% of eligible students). 

Who Speaks French in Canada? 

50.2% 

Half (50.2%) of children and adults, with one year+ in 

French immersion can have a conversation in French. 

100,000+ 

100,000+ children 

and adults, aged 

5 to 60 years, speak 

French at home (15.4%). 

1 in 10 

72,000 workers (1 in 10 

workers) with one year+ in 

French immersion, use 

French at work. 

Where is participation in French Immersion highest in Canada? 

37.3% 28.6% 

In New Brunswick 

In Prince Edward Island 

50% 

The more adults in a municipality who know French, the more likely the children 

in that municipality were to be enrolled in French immersion as of Grade 1. 

And 50% of school-aged children 

who live in Ottawa, Ontario and 

Moncton, New Brunswick, were in 

or have been in French immersion. 

Newcomers to Canada Embrace the Benefits of French Immersion 

47% 

Close to half of school-aged children, with one year+ 

in French immersion, have an immigrant background. 

1 in 5 

Nearly 1 in 5 school-aged children enrolled in French immersion have a 

mother tongue other than English, such as Mandarin, Punjabi or Arabic. 

French Immersion Strengthens Bilingualism in Canada 

65.7% 

Two-thirds 

(65.7%) of bilingual young adults, 

with one year+ in French immersion, use 

French into adulthood, at home and at work. 

Source: Census in Brief, Participation in French immersion, bilingualism and the use of 

French in adulthood, Census of Population, 2021. Statistics Canada, February 28, 2024. 


CPF BRANCHES 

National FSL Poetry Contest 

O’Poésie is the CPF national 

French-language poetry contest 

for students in grades 1 to 12 (CEGEP 1) 

enrolled National in FSL programs Poetry Contest across Canada 

This is a wonderful opportunity for 

students to explore the beauty 

and expressiveness of the French 

language through a creative learning 

project, to practice literary skills, and 

develop a sense of belonging in Canada’s 

Francophone community. Teacher support 

guides are avaiable on the CPF website. 

In 2024, over 400 students from all 

across Canada participated! Our judges 

were blown away by our young poets’ 

eloquence and creativity. Our winners stem 

from British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, 

Nova Scotia, and Quebec. Winners receive 

a certificate and prizes, value ranging from 

$25 to $150 each, augmenting dependent 

on grade category and for first, second, 

or third placement. This year there were 

eight separate categories considering 

program type (core, extended, immersion 

or francization) and grade level groupings 

(Grades 1-3, Grades 4-6, Grades 7-9, 

Grade 10-12 / sec IV to Cegep 1) with 24 

participants earning prizes to a total value 

of $1925. In addition, all participants are 

also invited to participate in a virtual sociocultural 

opportunity to celebrate from the 

comfort of their home. 

We truly encourage CPF families with 

school-aged children to participate as we 

hope to grow the contest and recognize 

winners in every province and territory. 

To learn more about contest timelines and 

requirements, visit the CPF website at: 

https://qc-nu.cpf.ca/en/o-poesie. 

We are pleased to feature here 5 of 

the poems having earned a first place in 

one of the eight categories. 

• 1st place | 1 er rang : Leena, Alberta 

(GROUPE A: 1 re à la 3 e année | 

Grades 1 – 3) 

• 1st place | 1 er rang : Lexa, Quebec | 

Québec (GROUPE B: 4 e à la 6 e année | 

Grades 4 – 6) 

• 1st place | 1 er rang : Shaza, Nova Scotia | 

Nouvelle-Écosse (GROUPE B: 7 e à la 

9 e année | Grades 7 – 9) 

• 1st place | 1 er rang : Harmony, Ontario 

(GROUPE A: 10 e à la 12 e année | 

Grades 10 – 12) 

• 1st place | 1 er rang : Sophie, British 

Columbia | Colombie-Britannique 

(GROUPE B: 10 e à la 12 e année | 

Grades 10 – 12) 



Leena, Alberta 

LES LIVRES 

Les livres sont géniaux! 

Ils t'emmènent dans une nouvelle aventure. 

Vite, j'en lis un et tout de suite un autre. 

Ramener des livres à la maison de Ia bibliothèque. 

Educatifs, c'est ce que sont les livres pour moi. 

Lexa, Quebec | Québec 

Le Beau Printemps 

Dans un grand jardin 

Un papillon vient sentir les pins 

Un canard se baigne dans un ruisseau 

Elles se parlent un peu trop “coin-coin” 

Le soleil reflète sur l’eau 

Dans les arbres, il y a des écureuils 

Ils passent leur temps à jouer dans les feuilles 

Haut dans les airs, arrivent les oiseaux 

Leurs ailes font du bruits dans le vent “flap-flap” 

Ils aiment admirer les autres animaux 

Dans le gazon, une petite fille 

Elle vient tous les jours, cueillir des jonquilles 

Les cygnes relaxent dans l’étang 

Elles sifflent une mélodie “pffuit-pffuit” 

Quel beau printemps! 

Harmony (Hao Ning), Ontario 

Où vont les tournesols quand le soleil se couche? 

Je suis la fleur dont tu as cueilli tous les pétales 

Et que tu as gardée dans le verre de ton cœur. 

Tu es celui qui m’as guidé vers le vrai nord, 

Alors je t'attends, je cours après toi, dans la brume ou à l’aurore, 

Comme des tournesols chassant le soleil, d’est en ouest. 

Mais où vont les tournesols quand le soleil se couche? 

Se tournent-ils vers le ciel, chaque coup d’œil 

Aux étoiles qui dansent dans la nuit? 

Ou baissent-ils la tête vers la terre, 

Et ne ressentent que le vent glacial partout? 

Tu étais la partie qui m’a rendue complète, 

Mais malgré tout, je dois dévoiler ces morceaux de moi, 

Sans toi: le râle de ta voix, le pli de ton cou, 

Ou ton tirage magnétique qui demeure 

Sur mon corps tout entier. 

Donc contrairement aux tournesols qui 

Se tournent vers l'éclat brillant du soleil, 

Je ne découvre plus la chaleur, la sérénité, la mélodie de ma vie, 

En toi, mais dans les yeux d’un autre— 

Moi, je me retrouverai. 

Shaza, Nova Scotia | Nouvelle-Écosse 

Les Ailes de l'Avenir 

Dans la forge des rêves où les ambitions s'enflamment, 

La résolution guide, ferme et vraie, 

M'élevant vers les cieux où l'azur n'est pas bleu, je m'engage. 

Noble rêve, une quête qui prend forme, 

Ingénieur pour les Forces canadiennes, destin en éclats, 

Un voyage de but, un objectif étincelant. 

À travers l'étendue infinie, je voguerai, 

Naviguant à travers les vents, une vision à dévoiler. 

Construisant des ailes, pas seulement en acier, 

Dans le royaume du service, l'appel du devoir est réel, 

Aspirations élevées, comme des avions rugissants dans les cieux. 

La feuille de route des rêves se dévoile avec précision, 

Dans la poursuite du savoir, l'arsenal mental aérospatial, 

Je forge le chemin vers l'avenir, destin déployé. 

Pour chaque rivet posé, chaque plan conçu, 

Les Forces canadiennes, sous l'enchantement du nord. 

À travers dévouement et honneur, je monterai, 

Rêve d'ingénieur, protéger, défendre, 

Dans les Forces armées canadiennes, les objectifs transcendent. 

Sophie, British Columbia | 

Colombie-Britannique 

La Puissance de l’Océan 

Regardez l’océan : 

Il murmure, il chante, il s’emporte dans sa rage 

Écoutez sa voix : 

Elle raconte des vagues, du soleil, des orages 

Voyez l’océan : 

Il pleure, il ne peut se débarrasser ni des filets, 

Ni des plastiques, ni des saletés 

Que les humains jettent dans son obscurité 

Écoutez la chanson : 

Les larmes des poissons, le chagrin des baleines 

Entendez leurs souhaits : 

Le rêve d’un temps de liberté, d’austérité lointaine 

N’oubliez pas : 

Dans le cœur de l’océan, il existe l’honneur, le bien 

Mais comprenez : 

Si on nourrit la pollution, un tsunami n’est pas loin... 

Regardez : 

L’océan se défendra, par tempêtes, par orages 

Écoutez : 

Sa chanson est remplie de puissance, de courage. 


Growing up 

Bi /Multilingual 

Code Switchers Unite! 

In our big, diverse world, lots of people grow up speaking more than one language. While some 

places, like parts of the English-speaking world, mostly use just one language, in other spots, 

like countries in Europe or Africa, speaking multiple languages is totally normal. 

For example, someone from Cameroon might speak local languages, such as Limbum and Sari, 

as well as Ewondo, a common language, and either English or French, which are the official ones. 

They might even use a mix of English and French! 


To stay bilingual, speakers need chances 

to practice their languages, and that's 

where parents come in. Being bilingual 

isn't something you're born with; it's 

something you learn, so it's up to 

parents to make sure their children 

get opportunities to practice. 

Some have reported the decline in use of French in some 

regions of the world, but French is an important language 

in West Africa. A study by the investment bank Natixis 

predicts that French will likely become the world's most widely 

spoken language by 2050, due to the demographic growth 

prospects in Africa, immigration and globalization. Canadians, 

learning French in school now, will benefit in the future. 

Canada is changing, and immigration is our future. Think 

about families in your neighbourhood where the parents speak 

different languages or where the family's language is different 

from what most people around them speak. These kids growing 

up in multilingual households are actually pretty amazing! Even 

when they're really young, bi/multilingual kids can understand 

and know who to speak to in each language and can switch 

between the languages quite naturally. 

Some parents worry that learning two languages might be 

too much for a child, but learning to talk is more like learning to 

walk—it comes pretty naturally. And research shows that the 

brain can handle more than one language just fine. 

... all the benefits surface no 

matter what languages you 

speak. It's the mix that matters, 

not which languages they are! 

These bilingual kids are not just good at talking - research 

tells us that they're also great at understanding how language 

works. For example, they're better than kids who only speak one 

language at spotting mistakes in sentences. An example cited 

is they'll know right away if someone says, "apples growed on 

trees", doesn't sound right, but "apples grow on noses" does 

sound right, even though it's nonsensical! 

Another worry that surfaces among parents is if their child 

mixes languages in the same sentence. We are here to say, 

it's totally normal! It's called code-switching, and it's not just 

random - it follows rules! Bilingual folks use it for all sorts of 

reasons, like finding the right word or for privacy or for fitting 

in with their friends. 

These bilingual kids also develop awesome thinking skills. 

Because they're used to switching between languages, they're 

really good at seeing things from different points of view, 

figuring out what's important, and ignoring stuff that doesn't 

matter. These skills aren't just for language; they can help with 

all sorts of life’s challenges. 

Now, parents might wonder, what if one of the languages 

isn't all that popular or useful in a Canadian context? Like, who's 

speaking Flemish or Cornish on the streets of Calgary these 

days? Well, here's the thing: all the benefits surface no matter 

what languages you speak. It's the mix that matters, not which 

languages they are! 

Long story short, there are awesome perks of being 

bilingual, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities! To stay 

bilingual, speakers need chances to practice their languages, and 

that's where parents come in. Being bilingual isn't something 

you're born with; it's something you learn, so it's up to parents 

to make sure their children get opportunities to practice. n 


CPF NETWORK 

French 

Footprints 

New CPF Podcast Series 

Canadian Parents for French is pleased to launch its newest 

venture, a podcast series for parents of early learners. This 

spring we have produced four episodes of French Footprints 

podcast to explore the benefits of learning a second language 

at an early age. And we look forward to sharing more this fall! 



We invite parents and caregivers to join host 

Amy Maan, a FSL learner, mother of two and 

founder of 123 Petits Pas, as she connects 

with educational experts to discuss strategies to help 

build the confidence of parents and better the bilingual 

future of their children. As a former French teacher, 

Amy saw a need for parents who wanted resources for 

introducing French to their young children, to make 

learning French fun and accessible. As host of the French 

Footprints podcast, Amy aims to provide parents with 

meaningful takeaways that will help make learning 

French less intimidating. 

To access our new podcast series, there are several 

convenient options available to listeners. If you’re an 

Apple Podcasts or Spotify user, simply open the app and 

search for our series by name: French Footprints: FSL in 

the Early Years. Alternatively, you can visit our website 

where the series is hosted. Navigate to the ‘Parent 

Resource Hub’ and you will find all 4 episodes available 

for streaming. No matter your preference, accessing our 

latest content is quick and easy across all platforms. 

CPF was pleased to officially 

launch the French Footprints 

project at the Ontario 

Modern Languages Teachers 

Association (OMLTA) 

conference in early April, 

in Toronto. 

Madame Amy joined CPF 

National and CPF Ontario 

at the exhibitor booth to 

chat with teachers and 

distribute almost 200 

CPF French Goodnight Bags 

– a resource kit containing a 

French language book, a puppet, a printed bilingual bedtime 

routine chart and colouring book, activity booklets, as well 

as a music shaker and bulletin board trim. 

Episode 1: Introducing French to Your 

Child During Their Early Years – 12:01 

Amy explores some tips and tricks that are 

accessible to all parents – whether they speak 

French or not. 

Episode 2: It’s Never Too Early: The 

Importance of Bilingualism from Birth – 16:14 

in conversation with Silvia Nuñez, a seasoned 

early childhood educator, principal, and proud 

mother raising a multilingual family. 

Episode 3: Mythbusting Concerns About 

Starting FSL at a Young Age – 19:46 

in conversation with Lauren Barlow, a 

bilingual speech and language pathologist. 

Episode 4: It Takes a Village: Building a 

French-Speaking Support Network – 19:23 

more strategies with Silvia Nuñez, a seasoned 

early childhood educator, principal, and proud 

mother raising a multilingual family. n 


Inclusion in French 

Immersion Kindergarten 

BY SARAH VAN'T VELD, KINDERGARTEN TEACHER, HOLY CROSS SCHOOL EDMONTON CATHOLIC SCHOOLS DIVISION 

Traditionally, when many people think of the French Immersion program they tend to think of students with neurodiversity 

(i.e.ADHD, autism, Oppositional Defiance Disorder etc.) as not a good fit. This year I have the pleasure of teaching a French 

Immersion kindergarten class with a variety of students who have a wide range of needs. The students in kindergarten 

attend a full day at our school and spend half the time in the kindergarten class and the other half of the day in the Flight 

program with an Early Childhood Educator. In both classes, students are immersed in the French language with songs, 

daily interactions and activities that help them to learn the language. Teaching kindergarten in French Immersion is an 

extraordinary experience, in that the students often come into the class knowing no French at all and by the end of the 

year are able to listen, comprehend and produce French words independently. 


Our class has a vast range of students 

who have neurodiversity. Several 

students use AAC (Augmentative 

Alternative Communication) devices to 

communicate their thoughts and needs 

throughout the day. For some children 

this is their sole way to communicate 

with their peers and teachers. It is a true 

wonder to watch as students use these 

devices to communicate with their peers 

and also to learn a new language at the 

same time. As we are learning a new 

concept in our classroom (i.e.colour, days 

of the week, animals etc.) we are able 

to put new words in French on the AAC 

device so that the students who are using 

them have access to the new vocabulary 

in French. 

Many of our students who are 

neurodiverse also have additional support 

in the classroom from either a TABT 

(Therapeutic Assistant for Behaviour 

Therapy) or an EA (Educational Assistant) 

who work with them throughout the day 

to aid in their learning. These educators 

are essential in the development of the 

French language with these students are 

they are able to offer additional practice 

of the target language, break down 

concepts into smaller chunks and provide 

one on one support during instructional 

time. These people are instrumental in 

assuring that the students are able to 

achieve their true potential. 

Kindergarten students who attend 

school in Alberta have a curriculum that 

is covered throughout the year. This 

includes: numeracy, literacy, science, 

social studies, physical education, art 

and physical education. The is designed 

to be delivered in French and offers the 

students many hands-on experiences and 

opportunities to learn new words, phrases 

and to develop their understanding of the 

language. It is essential when planning for 

our learning that we make the learning 

hands on, engaging and sensory friendly 

to help each student engage with the 

curriculum in a meaningful way. 

When planning out the classroom, 

we employ a variety of strategies to aid all 

our students in their learning. By turning 

off the overhead fluorescent lights off, 

having soft lighting and soft quiet music 

playing throughout the day, we strive to 

lessen sensory overload and create a calm 

learning space. In our school we also have 

a sensory room that students have access 

to and can request if they are feeling that 

they need a break for the classroom. The 

sensory room has a variety of resources 

that help students to regulate their bodies 

and get ready for learning. There are 

standing stationary bikes, fidget toys, 

puzzles, quiet music, calm lighting and 

much more. This room is an essential space 

for students with neurodiversity as the 

classroom can often be an active, busy and 

loud place and they need a place that gives 

them a moment of calm and then they are 

ready to head back to the classroom for 

their learning. 

Through my career I have taught a 

variety of grades in the French immersion 

program and I am happy to see a shift in 

our perspective when looking at students 

who have neurodiversity. Instead of taking 

the stance that maybe students who 

have neurodiversity do not belong in the 

program, we are now asking ourselves 

“How can we accommodate the program 

to make it more accessible for all?” We 

know how beneficial it is for anyone to 

learn new languages and this includes 

students who may have a variety of needs. 

By asking ourselves some tough questions 

about our programming and how we 

deliver our program we can open doors 

that may have previously been closed to 

students who have exceptional needs and 

welcome them into a world of learning! n 

Through my career I have taught a variety of grades 

in the French immersion program and I am happy 

to see a shift in our perspective when looking 

at students who have neurodiversity. 

Your child is learning French. 

You can too! 

Register online! 

• Summer session deadline: June 25 

• Fall session deadline: September 10 

In-person & distance learning options. 

Learn more at educationplus.ca 

Our learner-centred 

course material 

uses communicative 

and theme-based 

approaches to 

provide a highly 

interesting 

language learning 

experience. 


CPF PARTNERS 

FROM 

COAST to COAST 

WITH LES 400 COUPS 

BY JULIETTE PETIT CHAPUIS, TRANSLATED BY SIMON DE JOCAS 

Travel in Canada! Enjoy a country that offers a wealth 

of unusual activities, even during the summertime. 

Follow our tips for guaranteed fun! 

The journey begins in Montréal 

(Quebec), the second most 

populated city in Canada. Head 

to the Pointe-à-Callière Museum, the 

Montreal Museum of Archaeology 

and History, where you can visit the 

permanent exhibition “Come Aboard! 

Pirates or Privateers?” Step aboard a ship 

to discover, through an immersive and 

interactive seafaring adventure, the daily 

life of New France’s pirates. 

After that, take a breather by reading 

the Sven the Terrible series written by 

Rhéa Dufresne and illustrated by Orbie. 

Then hop on a boat (a real one 

this time) to travel to Île-du-Havre- 

Aubert (Magdalen Islands, Quebec). This 

archipelago is known for its round sandy 

beaches and dunes. If you visit in August, 

sign up for the sandcastle competition to 

experience a creative and magical event. 

Make sure to bring along “Pépé à 

la mer” and “Mémé à la plage” by Rhéa 

Dufresne and Aurélie Grand, so they 

can get a little tan too! Plus, Pépé loves 

building sandcastles! 

It’s now time to head back to the 

mainland and venture northward into 

Quebec. If you’re not too sensitive to the 

cold, you can’t miss the Pingualuit Crater 

in the middle of the tundra. This crater is 

the result of a meteorite impact a million 

years ago! 

The crater is reminiscent of the Big 

Bang and the creation of the universe. To 

understand this better, get your hands on 

the illustrated documentary “Impossible” 

by Catarina Sobral, and you’ll become an 

expert on the topic. 

The journey continues to Ontario. 

Just thirty minutes from Toronto, 

skateboarding enthusiasts will be thrilled 

to discover the Wilcox Lake Skatepark, 

one of the most impressive in size and 

variety of modules. Like the young 

narrator in “À contresens” by Jean-Yves 

Casterman, you can feel free and roll 

around without a care! 

For those who prefer observing 

rather than doing, we suggest a special 

moment with the animals at the Jungle 

Cat World Wildlife Park (Orono, Ontario). 

Enjoy close contact with some freeroaming 

creatures! 


CPF PARTNERS 

Reading tip: “Mon nouvel ami” by 

Sylvain Bouton. A warning to parents who 

aren’t attentive enough: kids might want 

to invite some unusual friends home 

for cookies… 

Let’s now travel to Saskatchewan to 

discover Stone Hall Castle (Regina). Like a 

fortress, this castle stands firm against all 

weather conditions and offers a unique 

medieval experience! 

Just like the princess in “752 lapins” 

by François Blais and Valérie Boivin, stroll 

through this space that’s large enough to 

hold 752 rabbits… at least. 

In Alberta, head to Calaway Park 

(Calgary). This amusement park is the 

largest on the west coast! It offers rides, 

shows, and street performances. It’s a 

real playground for children, where they 

can hope to see their biggest dreams 

come true. Just like in “Tata” a book by 

Iris Samartzi. 

For a touch of the fantastic, enter the 

Enchanted Forest in Revelstoke, British 

Columbia. Discover the poetic world of 

legends and magical creatures living in the 

trees. You can even sleep in fairy houses 

straight out of the most beautiful fairy tales. 

Who knows, you might meet Paul, 

the daring woodsman from “La Légende 

de Paul Thibault” by Annie Bacon and 

Sans Cravate! 

After all these surprises, we’ve 

reached our final stop! Vancouver! 

Thanks to its various cycling routes, you 

can experience the city by bike. Whether 

you’re a beginner or more experienced, 

you’ll always find a suitable trail. 

No matter which path you choose, 

just like Rosie, in “La petite truie, le vélo 

et la lune” by Pierrette Dubé and Orbie, 

who shows perseverance, you’ll be 

amazed by the incredible landscapes! 

We hope this grand tour of Canada 

has inspired you for your vacations… 

and your readings! Until we meet again, 

farewell travellers! n 



CPF Welcomes Glendon Campus to the Family: 

A New 2024 Concours d'art oratoire Scholarship! 

Embarking on the journey towards 

post-secondary education is not just 

about textbooks and lectures; it's about 

experiencing the vibrancy of campus life 

and the energy of a city that could become 

your home. 

Canadian Parents for French in partnership 

with Glendon Campus of York University, 

Toronto, Ontario, is excited to unveil a new 

scholarship at the 2024 National Concours 

d'art oratoire! 

The Glendon scholarship is a curated 

experience designed to provide aspiring 

scholars with an immersive glimpse into 

university life and the surrounding 

community. 

Recognized for the depth and 

excellence of their language learning 

programs and unique bilingual pathways, 

Glendon Campus is nestled between the 

midtown Toronto neighbourhoods of 

Lawrence Park and Bridle Path. 

Imagine strolling through the picturesque 

natural vistas of the campus, and 

soaking in the cultural richness of the city 

– all while envisioning yourself as a vital 

part of this dynamic environment. 

Here's what the Glendon Scholarship 

has in store for you: 

• A Private Tour of Glendon Campus: 

As part of your scholarship experience, 

you will have the chance to visit 

Glendon's prestigious campus. Led by 

knowledgeable guides, personalized 

tours provide an immersive exploration 

of every corner of the bilingual university 

campus, offering a firsthand glimpse 

into the academic life that awaits you. 

• Roundtrip Travel for You and a 

Guest: Exploration is best enjoyed with 

company, which is why we are thrilled to 

offer roundtrip travel for you and a guest 

to Toronto. 

• A 2-Night Stay in Toronto: You will 

have the opportunity to spend two nights 

exploring the vibrant urban landscape of 

Toronto. Delve into the fabric of the city 

by exploring cultural landmarks. Experience 

the unique personality and charm 

of your prospective academic home! 

• A Dinner Experience: Indulge in a 

culinary adventure with an exclusive 

dinner experience for you and your 

guest. Savour the flavours of Toronto's 

diverse culinary scene! 

This scholarship isn't just for the 

academically inclined; it's for the curious, 

the adventurous, and the dreamers who 

dare to envision a future filled with 

possibility. Begin an unforgettable journey 

in expanding your academic and professional 

horizons in the bilingual sphere! n 

To lean more about Glendon Campus, 

please visit: 

https://www.yorku.ca/glendon 

To learn more about the Glendon 

scholarship, please visit: 

https://cpf.ca/en/participate/youth/ 

concours-dart-oratoire 

Fondation Baxter & Alma Ricard 

Scholarships 

The Foundation's scholarship program is intended for students who have 

completed a Bachelor's degree or are enrolled in obtaining a second Bachelor's 

degree, a Master's degree, or a Doctorate and who are from a minority Francophone 

linguistic region in Canada, referred to as "Francophones outside Quebec." 

Applicants must be Canadian citizens, have completed their Bachelor's degree, or 

plan to complete it within the current year. Those whose applications are successful 

will be required to provide proof of admission to the university where they will 

pursue their postgraduate studies when the time comes. They may study at any 

recognized university anywhere in Canada or elsewhere. 

18 CPF MAGAZINE SPRING 2024 

The deadline for submitting applications is December 1st. 

Additional information: https://fondationricard.com/demande-de-bourse

The 


SPEAKERS’ 

SERIES 

BY KAREN POZNIAK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, 

CANADIAN PARENTS FOR FRENCH - SASKATCHEWAN 

It all started with an astronaut. The 

idea was to provide students with 

a presentation during French-Second- 

Language (FSL) Education Week by 

an accomplished Canadian. Colonel 

Chris Hadfield was at the top of the 

list, but a person of such achievement 

and significance seemed out of reach. 

However, through persistence and 

thorough research, the stars did 

somehow align (pun intended!) and 

Colonel Hadfield did agree to make 

two presentations for the Branch: one 

to students across Saskatchewan and 

another to Canadian Parents for French 

(CPF) members and supporters of FSL 

programs across Canada. That was 

the beginning. 

But, let us go a back a bit and 

revisit the situation we all lived through. 

When the pandemic came along, many 

organizations had to offer services, 

resources and programs differently. 

There was no other choice. Quite 

suddenly, virtual programming and 

instruction became the norm. What 

emerged was a realization that there 

was a benefit to this virtual format not 

appreciated nor fully utilized until then. 

The untapped advantage was “access”, 

access to people from all over Canada… 

and the world actually. Presenters who 

would not necessarily be available or 

affordable in-person were a viable 

virtual option. 

Given that the online format was 

now the standard, it was important 

for Canadian Parents for French - 

Saskatchewan (CPF SK) to offer virtual 

programs that were different from the 

ordinary; that were exciting, engaging 

and innovative. To this end, CPF SK 

seized the opportunity and created 

The Speakers’ Series and The Speakers’ 

Series - Youth Edition. CPF SK looked 

to book presenters who would align 

with CPF’s culture of continuous learning, 

complement the organization’s strategic 

plan and ongoing policy changes, inform 

about the non-profit zeitgeist and 

societal trends in general, and just be 

interesting and enjoyable to listen to. 

For students, the following 

keynotes have already contributed to 

The Speakers’ Series - Youth Edition: 

Chris Hadfield, Astronaut and first 

Canadian Commander of the International 

Space Station; Will’s Jams, JUNOnominated 

musician and nationallyrecognized 

educator; Peter Katz, JUNOnominated 

musician and storyteller; and 

Stéphanie Morin-Robert, multi-award 

winning and multi-disciplinary artist. 

More than 14,000 students and school 

staff attend each year’s program. Each 

presentation has a theme for speakers 

to work toward. Examples of past 

themes included (for Chris Hadfield 


and Will’s Jams) From the classroom to 

the stars! Dream. Act. Realize. / De la 

classe aux étoiles! Rêver. Agir. Réaliser. 

and (for Peter Katz and Stéphanie 

Morin-Robert) Find Your Own Story! / 

Découvrez votre propre histoire ! 

Presentations organized, so far, 

for CPF members and FSL supporters 

included Colonel Chris Hadfield as already 

mentioned; Perry Bellegarde, former 

National Chief of the Assembly of First 

Nations and Valerie Galley, Indigenous 

advocate, advisor and author, who spoke 

on the theme Indigenous Languages, 

Cultures and Traditions: Reconciliation 

and the United Nations Declaration on 

the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; Roberta 

Bondar, astronaut, physician, scientist and 

photographer, who spoke on A Vision for 

CPF: Opening Up Possibilities for Change 

and Growth; and Nik Nanos, founder and 

chief data scientist for Nanos Research, 

who addressed The Future of the 

Non-Profit: Demographic Trends That 

Will Reshape Society. 

Many CPF members and FSL 

supporters from coast to coast to coast 

Given that the online format was now the standard, 

it was important for Canadian Parents for French 

- Saskatchewan (CPF SK) to offer virtual programs 

that were different from the ordinary; that were 

exciting, engaging and innovative. 

are repeat attendees at The Speakers’ 

Series. Comments from the get-go 

have always been encouraging and 

supportive. There is also no shortage of 

questions submitted by registrants for 

the Q&A segment that follows the formal 

presentation. 

Regarding the future of the program, 

the Branch Office plans to continue 

offering both The Speakers’ Series and 

The Speakers’ Series - Youth Edition 

moving forward. Depending on 

operational factors, CPF SK would 

ideally like to organize two to three 

events per year per category. Needless 

to say, the antennae are always up in 

search of new ideas for presenters and 

program content. 

The Speakers’ Series would not 

be possible without the unwavering 

financial support of CPF SK’s funders, 

Canadian Heritage and Saskatchewan’s 

Ministry of Education. The Branch is 

tremendously fortunate to receive stable 

funding enabling it to provide a variety 

of programs. This is a great position to 

be in. So, there are many more relevant, 

exciting and talented speakers to come. 

Stay tuned! n 

KEY CPF CONTACTS ACROSS CANADA 

Network Office 

1104 - 170 Laurier Ave. W., Ottawa, ON K1P 5V5 

T: 613.235.1481 

cpf@cpf.ca cpf.ca 

Quebec & Nunavut 

204-661 Rose of Lima St, Montreal, QC H4C 2L7 

infoqcnu@cpf.ca qc-nu.cpf.ca 

British Columbia & Yukon 

227-1555 W 7th Ave., Vancouver, BC V6J 1S1 

T: 778.329.9115 TF: 1.800.665.1222 (in BC & Yukon only) 

info@cpf.bc.ca bc-yk.cpf.ca 

Alberta 

211-15120 104 Ave. NW, Edmonton, AB T5P 0R5 

T: 780.433.7311 

cpfab@ab.cpf.ca 

ab.cpf.ca 

Northwest Territories 

cpfnwt@nwt.cpf.ca nwt.cpf.ca 

Saskatchewan 

303-115 2nd Ave. N., Saskatoon, SK S7K 2B1 

T: 306.244.6151 TF: 1.800.561.6151 (in Saskatchewan only) 

cpfsask@sasktel.net sk.cpf.ca 

Manitoba 

101-475 Provencher Blvd., Winnipeg, MB R2J 4A7 

T: 204.222.6537 TF: 1.877.737.7036 (in Manitoba only) 

cpfmb@cpfmb.com mb.cpf.ca 

Ontario 

103-2055 Dundas St. E., Mississauga, ON L4X 1M2 

T: 905.366.1012 TF: 1.800.667.0594 (in Ontario only) 

info@on.cpf.ca on.cpf.ca 

Nova Scotia 

8 Flamingo Dr., Halifax, NS B3M 4N8 

T: 902.453.2048 TF: 1.877.273.5233 (in Nova Scotia only) 

cpf@ns.cpf.ca ns.cpf.ca 

New Brunswick 

cpf@ns.cpf.ca nb.cpf.ca 

Prince Edward Island 

PO Box 2785, Charlottetown, PE CIA 8C4 

T: 902.368.3703 ed@cpfpei.pe.ca pei.cpf.ca 

Newfoundland & Labrador 

PO Box 8601, Stn A, St. John’s, NL A1B 3P2 

T: 709.579.1776 ed@cpfnl.ca nl.cpf.ca 

TF: 1.877.576.1776 (in Newfoundland & Labrador only) 


CPF YOUTH ACTIVITY

CPF Magazine Spring 2024 Issue

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?