Institut de Français, UBC à Québec
A three-week immersion program for French language teachers in the heart of Quebec City!
Explorez la vieille ville avec nous et ne manquez pas le festival d’été de Québec!
Institut de Français, UBC à Québec is designed to respond to the needs of all French second language teachers, both experienced teachers and those just entering the profession. The institute welcomes all levels of French speakers, from emerging French language users to advanced.
This program is intended for school teachers and administrators interested in further developing their knowledge and teaching of French language and culture within a francophone setting.
Morning classes, additional afternoon workshops, and cultural activities are geared toward further developing teachers’ ability to use French in professional settings while at the same time modeling how to translate the authentic experiences with Quebec culture into engaging and relevant teaching resources. Communicative-based methods and differentiated instruction are used to encourage active student participation. Taking part in visits and activities within the community are an integral part of the program.
The program is offered during the Quebec City Summer Festival featuring street musicians, concerts, plays, and many other cultural activities.
With the participation of the Government of Canada and the Ministry of Education and Child Care of British Columbia.
Application Deadline: May 1, 2023
Application is now closed.
Dates: July 3-21, 2023
Format: Face-to-Face
Cost: TBC
Contacts
604-822-2013
quebec.institute@ubc.ca
Program Details
About
The language classes are designed to improve participant’s language and intercultural competencies while maintaining an orientation on teaching strategies. This allows participants to develop their language expertise while learning how to apply this new knowledge in their own classrooms.
As the program is delivered entirely in French, participants are encouraged to arrive with some basic understanding of the language and to make every effort to interact with others during the program’s daily activities inside and outside of class.
Our Instructors
Our instructors are experienced language educators who are there to support and interact with participants both inside and outside of classtime, during mealtimes and cultural activities, making this a truly immersive language experience.
Location
The Institut is located in the quartier St-Roch, and is within easy walking distance of all Quebec City attractions.
Schedule
Participants should arrive by Sunday evening, prior to the first of the day of the program and are expected to attend the Welcome event on Monday and orientation on Tuesday morning beginning at 9:00 am at the Residences de l’Université du Québec.
Travel & Accommodation
Accommodation
Single occupancy accommodation at the Residences de l’Université du Québec for 19 nights is included in the cost of the program.
Spouses and children cannot be accommodated during the program but are welcome to join participants before or after the program in shared accommodation at the Collège.
Other Accommodation in Québec
If you wish to arrive earlier in Quebec or stay after the Institute is finished, you are responsible for your own accommodations in Québec City. The Résidences offer accommodation outside the institute dates. Participants are responsible for booking any other accommodation on their own. Once you have registered in the program you will have an opportunity to book extra nights directly with the Résidences or elsewhere.
Meals
Lunches and morning snacks are provided on weekdays, while breakfasts and dinners are the participant’s responsibility. Dinners are available for purchase for take-out. Efforts will be made to accommodate dietary allergies and restrictions.
Travel & Transportation
Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to Quebec and to the Résidences upon arrival.
Fees & Bursary
Fees
The cost of the 2023 program is still to be confirmed
The total cost of the program in 2022 was $4,200 + GST
Bursary
BC teachers who speak French as an additional language are eligible for a Canadian Heritage bursary.
In 2022, the Canadian Heritage bursary was $2400.
There are a limited number of bursaries. Applicants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis based on receipt of the registration form, payment of fees, and meeting the bursary requirements. BC teachers are eligible for a bursary if they speak French as an additional language, and fulfill one of the following criteria:
- are or will be involved in the teaching of French at a public or independent school
- are or will be involved in the supervision of a French program including as a vice-principal, principal or French program coordinator
- are working as a teacher-on-call
- have worked as a French teacher in the past or plan to work as a French teacher in BC
- are currently a UBC teacher candidate in the BEd program, or will be in the fall following the summer program.
Bursaries for this program are administered by the University of British Columbia. Your registration for the program is also your application for the bursary. You do not need to apply separately for the bursary.
Please note: Teachers who have previously attended this institute are not eligible for the bursary again for the following three years.
Application
Application for In-Service Teachers, Educational Leaders & Administrators
Registration for Teacher Candidates
Cancellations & Refunds
BC teachers who do not complete the program are ineligible for the Canadian Heritage bursary and will be responsible for payment of the full cost of the program.
If you would like to cancel your registration, you must submit the request by email:
- Cancellations received on or before May 1, 2023 are eligible for a full refund, less the non-refundable $300 registration fee.
- There is no refund available for cancellations received after May 1st.
The non-refundable registration fee of $300 is required with your application form.
All programs are subject to minimum enrolment. If the Institute is cancelled due to low enrolment, your registration fee will be refunded in full.
Travel: We recommend you do not finalize your travel arrangements until the Institute is confirmed to run. You should receive notification by early May.
History
In 2016 the Institut de Français, UBC à Québec celebrated its 25th anniversary at Collège Mérici in Quebec City. It was also the 40th anniversary of the Institute that started as an initiative of the BC Ministry of Education in 1976.
The first six Institutes were run by small groups of teachers who received block funding. At that time, UBC was offering its own non-funded summer program for teachers in collaboration with Université de Montréal. Participants spent one week at UBC before going to l’Université de Montréal for three weeks. The program was successful and, when proposed as a possible model for the Institute, received the enthusiastic support of the Ministry.
The first Institut de Français, UBC à Montréal took place in 1984 and offered three different streams: for Core-French teachers, for French Immersion teachers, and for Programme-Cadre teachers (today Conseil Scolaire Francophone). That year, 145 BC teachers participated. The Institute consisted of equal numbers of UBC instructors and Université de Montréal instructors. The Institute ran successfully for a number of years, and was then reduced to three weeks (without a stay at UBC).
The program moved to Quebec City in 1990, where it was first hosted at the CÉGEP of Cap-Rouge and the following year in a community centre in Vieux Québec in Quebec’s historic centre.
In the fall of 1991, the Institute was relocated to the Collège Mérici which, at the time, was run by a religious congregation and teaching local students. UBC had finally found a home for its Institute in Quebec City in close proximity to the historic sights of la vieille ville. After many years under the direction of UBC’s Continuing Studies, the Institute is now administered by the Department of Professional Development and Community Engagement in UBC’s Faculty of Education.
Today, the Institut de Français, UBC à Québec demonstrates UBC’s commitment to promote professional development for French second language teachers by supporting their continued language and cultural development with an emphasis on pedagogy and instructional practices. The long-standing history of the Institut de Français, UBC à Québec clearly shows that a successful program can last well over a quarter century without losing its vibrancy. The hundreds of teachers who have attended the Institute can attest to the continuing welcome at College Mérici and the care and enthusiasm of the UBC instructors who offer such an exceptional program.
Testimonials
“All around I would highly recommend this program and would like to come back sometime. I have participated in several other teacher summer programs, and this was by far the best. Merci!”
~ Sharon Kirk, Winnipeg
“The program was outstanding. The teaching staff provided an excellent curriculum and schedule of events that included a blend of classroom instruction, cultural lessons, songs, dance, improvisation, outings, celebrations, and French film. Not limited to the classroom, we were transported to Quebec’s most beautiful scenic/historical areas.”
~ Lori Thompson, Fredericton High School