Students attending the new French course offered by the Centre de formation générale des Tisserands (CFGAT) met for the first time at École Arthur-Pigeon in Huntingdon on November 6. The course is offered free of charge, with minor expenses associated with learning materials.
This new point of service for French-language learning was created by the Centre de services scolaires de la Vallée-des-Tisserands (CSSVT), primarily to better accommodate those in the Haut-Saint-Laurent and surrounding region who are interested in improving their communication skills in French. The beginner- and intermediate-level courses take place on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, from 5:30 to 8:50 p.m.
“Francization is a major factor for immigration and integration. The courses offered in our schools enable students to develop not only French-language skills, but also intercultural skills related to Quebec society,” says CSSVT general director Suzie Vranderick. The school service centre also offers full-time and part-time beginner, intermediate, and advanced French courses for adults and immigrants at the CFGAT in Valleyfield.
“Some new arrivals find it difficult to meet the demands of the Quebec job market due to a limited knowledge of French,” says CFGAT director Dominic Tremblay. “In the Haut-Saint-Laurent region, language issues coupled with the growing need for French-language training has led to a growing interest in the francization program,” he explained, while noting it made sense to open a local program to help people integrate more easily into the workforce.
Those interested can register online anytime at www.quebec.ca/education/apprendre-le-francais. (SR)
