The Carrefour francophone is ready to welcome you!
Marie-Soleil Pinsonnault
By Nadia Gervais
Last Thursday marked the programming launch of the University of Ottawa’s Carrefour francophone lounge in the University Centre Agora. In the midst of the back-to-school rush, performers and buskers took turns presenting (to the sound of tambourines!) the various activities organized by the University’s Community Life Service. This year’s program includes a photography contest, several cocktail hours, a taping of the show Coups francs, movie nights, trivia games and more. The Carrefour francophone team is even running a Facebook contest that will award one student $200!
Johanne Albert, a communications student and coordination officer at the Carrefour francophone, wants to lend a hand in protecting her native language. “I consider the Carrefour francophone very important because Francophones are a minority at the University, and it’s important to promote our roots. I’ve been in Ottawa for six years, and I quickly realized that I was starting to lose my French,” she says. It’s the same story for Marie-Soleil Pinsonnault, French programming officer at the Community Life Service: “I was stunned the first time I noticed how self-conscious Francophones can be about speaking French. Luckily, the University offers many services in French and helps us promote the Carrefour francophone.”
Officially open since March 2011, the Carrefour francophone is a student lounge dedicated to the Francophonie. It’s intended not only for Francophones, but also anyone who would like to learn or practice French. The Carrefour also provides information on services offered in French at the University and in the region.
“Participants don’t need to have a high level of French proficiency to take part in our activities,” explains Marie-Soleil Pinsonnault. “In fact, on movie nights, we put up English subtitles to help non-native French speakers.”
The Carrefour is gaining popularity and, though still in its early stages, a few success stories can already be told. “I’m thinking in particular of our Anglophone volunteers, who become much more confident in their French abilities by working with us,” says Pinsonnault. She adds that many foreign students appreciate the opportunity to practice a third language by participating in activities in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.
For information on Carrefour francophone activities, stop by UCU 026. You can also check out the Carrefour Facebook page or the Community Life Service website.
Comments
There are no comments for this article yet.