student guide summer 2016 - explore program

STUDENT GUIDE
SUMMER 2016 - EXPLORE PROGRAM
J’EXPLORE À LA CITÉ
PROGRAMME D’IMMERSION EN FRANÇAIS LANGUE SECONDE
CONTENTS
Explore .................................................................................................................................................. 3
French as a Second Language Immersion ................................................................................ 3
Letter to bursary participants from CMEC ........................................................................................... 4
French as a Second Language Program Contract ................................................................................. 5
The Program ......................................................................................................................................... 7
Courses ........................................................................................................................................... 7
Courses Credits.............................................................................................................................. 7
Special Needs/Learning Disabilities ............................................................................................ 7
The Language Policy ............................................................................................................................. 8
Fees And Registration ........................................................................................................................... 8
Your Bursary ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Your bursary ................................................................................................................................... 9
Meal plan ......................................................................................................................................... 9
OcTranspo bus pass ..................................................................................................................... 9
Out Of Pocket Expenses........................................................................................................................ 9
Life In Residence .................................................................................................................................10
Suggested Items to Bring ....................................................................................................................11
Languages At Work Program ..............................................................................................................11
Languages at work program information ..................................................................................11
Arrival And Departure.........................................................................................................................12
Program Registration ..........................................................................................................................12
Online registration ..........................................................................................................................12
Student card ...................................................................................................................................12
Frequently Asked Questions ...............................................................................................................13
EXPLORE
French as a Second Language Immersion
Program Spring Session: May 16th to June 17th, 2016
Dear Bursary Recipient:
Welcome to La Cité French as Second Language Immersion Program in the heart of the
National Capital Region!
We are proud to offer a comprehensive, first-rate learning program! Whether you are at the
beginner, intermediate or advanced level, our program is tailored to your needs.
Furthermore, it includes various social, cultural and recreational activities designed to promote
vivid and spontaneous use of the second language. Following your placement test, you will be
assigned to the level that best compliments your skills. Classroom lectures are given in the
morning and cover linguistic components (grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation). In the
afternoon, you will have the opportunity to take part in workshops that focus on enhancing your
FSL listening and communication skills.
At the end of the day, you can relax and take part in various athletic and recreational activities.
We have also planned social and cultural activities, such as guided museum tours, variety
shows, movie nights, an Ottawa boat cruise and many other outings. Don’t forget to bring any
item that might make your stay more enjoyable, like your musical instrument, sports gear,
bicycle, rollerblades, camera or video camera.
Au plaisir de vous rencontrer à Ottawa!
Michelle Hill
Explore Coordinator – Explore 2016
The student guide has been created to provide you with essential information regarding
the Explore program. It will be very useful to you during your stay at the college. Please bring
your student guide with you!
LETTER TO BURSARY PARTICIPANTS
FROM CMEC
Congratulations! You have received a bursary to study French in another province. Explore
provides eligible students in Canada with the opportunity to learn their second official language
and become familiar with the cultures represented by that language. Students from across
Canada can participate in Explore, in either French as a second language (FSL) or English as
a second language (ESL). This intensive program will focus on speaking and understanding
your second official language, and you are expected to make every effort to speak that
language at all times — during classes, sociocultural activities and during your free
time.
Explore is funded by Canadian Heritage and administered by the Council of Ministers of
Education, Canada (CMEC), at the pan‐Canadian level and by the provinces and territories in
their jurisdictions. The $2,200 bursary covers the cost of the course, instructional materials,
meals, and accommodations.
A placement test (pre-test) and an achievement test (post-test) will be administered to all
bursary recipients in order to place you according to your level of language proficiency and to
assess your progress. All institutions offer courses at different levels, and you will be enrolled
in the level that corresponds to your language proficiency.
Our institution provides a five-week program of at least seven (7) hours per day, five days per
week, of which a minimum of:
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three and one half (3) hours per day are for formal instruction;
two (2) hours per day are for workshops or other language-intensive activities; and
two (2) hour per day is for appropriate sociocultural activities.
We will organize weekend activities and be responsible for your supervision while you are
participating in the program. We may also organize fee-paying activities for students, but these
activities will be optional, and appropriate and suitable non-paying activities will be offered at
the same time.
We will provide you with accommodations and meals, with a varied selection that takes into
account the most common food intolerances, such as milk and nuts). All students are required
to live in residence on campus or in private homes selected for their favourable target-language
environment.
You are responsible for your personal expenses during the program and for the organization
of travel between your home and the institution at the beginning and at the end of the program.
Upon completion of the program, you will receive a certificate of participation. If you would like
to receive credits for participating in the program, you should approach the educational
institution that you plan to attend in the future.
Explore institutions were chosen for their high-quality programs. The cities were chosen
because they offer excellent [English/French]-speaking environments. You are strongly
encouraged to make the best of your experience by speaking and using the target language
throughout the program. We hope that Explore will be a great experience and a benefit to you
in the future.
Sincerely,
CMEC
FRENCH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
PROGRAM CONTRACT
Please read the following contract carefully
All courses and activities during the five week program are MANDATORY. During the
Explore program you will not be able to work, attend another learning institution, or leave
for personal reasons on the weekends. Explore is a five-week commitment.
To complete your Explore registration at La Cité, you will be required to pay a nonrefundable $265.00 registration fee (includes $15.00 student card).
Program Requirements
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I agree to speak French at all times.
I agree to attend all morning grammar courses and afternoon oral communication
classes, all mandatory social activities, and to complete all assignments assigned by
the instructors.
I agree to write all exams, including the final exam. Failure to write the final examination
will result in a final grade of F.
I agree to live at The University of Ottawa Friel residence and abide by the
regulations set forth by the residence.
I agree to justify my absences.
Program Dismissal Conditions
I understand and agree that one or more of the following situations will result in my immediate
expulsion from the program:
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Repeat lateness to classes.
Unjustified absences: three or more total absences from morning, afternoon
conversational
workshops, and socio-cultural activities.
Refusal to speak French or to try to speak French at all times.
Refusal to complete homework or exams.
La Cité has a ZERO tolerance policy for aggression, violence, alcohol/drug infractions and
harassment.
Inappropriate or aggressive behaviour towards anybody throughout the program.
Participants that are dismissed must leave immediately and will be responsible for their
own expenses to return home.
Parking
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I understand that if I bring my vehicle to la Cité campus/University of Ottawa campus, I
am responsible for the parking costs.
THE PROGRAM
Courses
Our team has prepared an intensive, action packed schedule with the goal of improving your
linguistic skills. Spend your days on campus participating in interactive grammar classes and
oral communication workshops. Participate in sociocultural activities evenings and weekends.
Following a placement test, you will be assigned to the level that best complements your skills.
Classroom lectures are given in the morning. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to
take part in workshops that focus on enhancing your FSL listening and communication skills.
Expect to participate in sociocultural activities and workshops most evenings and
Saturdays. All courses and activities during the five week program are MANDATORY. During
the Explore program you will not be able to work, attend another learning institutions, or leave
for personal reasons on the weekends. Explore is a five-week commitment.
You will receive a calendar of activities upon arrival.
Courses Credits
You can request to transfer the 12 Explore course credits to your home institution. La Cité is
not involved in the decision to accept the transfer credits.
1. Submit Explore course plans to your educational institution.
2. Submit your final transcript to your education institution.
Special Needs/Learning Disabilities
Case 1: If you have an IEP that states you need additional explanations and/or supplementary
time completing assignments and exams, simply bring your identifying documentation with
you. You will set up a meeting in week 1 to discuss accommodations with your professors.
Case 2: If your capacity to participate in Explore is restricted due to an enduring physical,
sensory, mental health or learning disability (other than case 1), La Cité will make every effort
to accommodate disabilities based on documentation received from your doctors. Please notify
the coordinator upon receiving the bursary and set up a telephone interview to discuss
accommodations. In order to be eligible for special needs services this information must be in
your student file with the medical documentation two weeks before the start of the Explore
program.
THE LANGUAGE POLICY
In an effort to provide students with a rich language learning experience, it is imperative
that students enrolled in the Explore French language program converse exclusively
in French at ALL times.
It is important to remember that Ottawa in a bilingual city. It will be up to you to seek out
opportunity to speak and use French as you go through the program. As you participate
in activities both on campus and off, the temptation to converse in English will always be
present; however, it is important to remember why you are here, and choose to
communication and interact in French. If you make a conscious effort to communication
and interact with administrative staff, instructors, monitors, peers and community
members in French, you will surely be rewarded by your increased linguistic abilities.
Rules for bursary and non- bursary students oblige participants to respect a francophone
environment for the duration of the program. People who choose not to respect this policy,
ultimately, could be expelled from the program.
The rule is clear: I SPEAK IN FRENCH AT ALL TIMES IN ALL PLACES!
FEES AND REGISTRATION
Those who do not receive a language bursary may still register for the French Immersion
program. Here is the cost breakdown:
Morning grammar classes only (90 h): $778.50
Complete Program (including grammar courses, oral communication workshops,
sociocultural activities) (210 h): $1,816.50
Residence: $800
YOUR BURSARY
Your bursary
Explore provides eligible students in Canada with the opportunity to learn their second
official language and become familiar with the cultures represented by that language.
Explore is funded by Canadian Heritage and administered by the Council of Ministers of
Education (CMEC).
Your bursary covers the cost of the course, instructional materials, meals, and
accommodations and is paid DIRECTLY to the hosting institution.
Meal plan
A sum of money ($575) will be allocated to you in several installments to both purchase
your meals on campus and purchase weekly groceries. The cafeteria services will be
open at La Cité Monday to Friday 8 a.m.to 2 p.m. Students can prepare their meals
together at the residence. Please remember to bring proper cooking utensils, pots and
pans!
OcTranspo bus pass
As a bursary student, you will receive a free OC Transpo Visitor’s bus pass for the duration
of your stay in Ottawa. This will allow you to explore the National Capital region more
freely and will help you get around town with ease.
OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES
Registration Fee : There is a non-refundable $265 program registration fee ($250.00 +
$15.00 student card fee).
Spending Money : You are responsible for your personal expenses during the program.
A personal spending budget of $100 to $150 per week to take part in optional should be
sufficient.
Parking : The bursary does not cover parking fees. It will cost around 100$ to park at La
Cité for the duration of the program. You are responsible to communicate with the different
institutions to arrange parking.
Travel Arrangements: Organization of travel between your home and the institution at
the beginning and end of the program is not covered by the bursary.
LIFE IN RESIDENCE
PLEASE NOTE THAT EXPLORE LA CITÉ STUDENTS ARE HOUSED OFF CAMPUS.
Experience Downtown Ottawa with all the Rez Life benefits. Friel residence is surrounded
by a 24/7 grocery store, food outlets, a pharmacy, a cinema, a public library and main bus
routes.
Registration will take place at the FRIEL Residence, downtown Ottawa. Upon arrival in
Ottawa May 16, please go to Friel Residence.
Address: 240 Friel street, Ottawa ON Canada, K1N 1H6 , (613) 860-6997.
The entrances to the residence are access-controlled. You need a magnetic swipe card
to have access to the building and a key to enter your room.
Facilities: Reception, coffee bar, study rooms, activity rooms, sunny courtyard, laundry
rooms, storage.
Utilities: Electricity, hot water, heat and air conditioning. Phone, TV, Internet: Wi-Fi
Internet and common area TV.
Rooms: 1- 2 and 3-bedroom suites with bathroom (single, double and triple occupancy).
Furniture: Sleeping area: single beds and 2-drawer dressers that fit under the bed
(bedding not included)
Study area: desks with a hutch and a chair, dining table and chairs.
Kitchenette: Each room has a kitchenette equipped with a sink, a mini-fridge and a
microwave, shared with roommates.
The ground floor kitchen is equipped with full-size ranges and microwave ovens. There is
also a community kitchen on the 3rd floor.
Utilities: Electricity, hot water, heat and air conditioning. Phone, TV, Internet: Wi-Fi
Internet and common area TV.
Housekeeping: Common areas are cleaned once a day. Cleaning your suite and taking
out the recycling, compost and garbage is your responsibility.
Security Features: Card access, guest registry and security guard at night.
Locked out of your room? Go to the Front Desk if you are locked out of your room. The
cost is $15, payable on demand.
Lost your keys? Get replacement key and access card from the Front Desk. Costs for
replacement access card is payable at the time of request.
Guests: Anyone you allow into your residence becomes your guest and your
responsibility! While in Rez, guest registry is mandatory. If your guest arrives while you’re
in your room, you must come down to let them in.
SUGGESTED ITEMS TO BRING
 Small pots and pans (to cook)
 Kitchen linens (hand towels, dish towels, tablecloth or place mats, napkins,
etc.)
 Bath towel and beach towel
 Flatware, dishes, glasses
 Hangers
 Shampoo, soap, toothbrush
 Hair dryer
 Running shoes or walking shoes
 Clothing for athletic, social and cultural activities, warm clothing, rain coat
 Personal computer
 Sports gear (bicycle, in-line skates, helmet, etc.)
 School supplies: French and English/French dictionaries, loose-leaf paper,
binder, pens, pencils, color pencils/crayons, etc.
 Provincial health card (OHIP, other)
 Your Student Guide
 If you have limited room, you can purchase items at the Dollarshop.
LANGUAGES AT WORK PROGRAM
Languages at work program information
Managed by La Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française, Languages at Work is
a joint initiative of the Explore program and Young Canada Works in Both Official
Languages and is designed for Explore bursary recipients students.
Languages at Work offers participants unique opportunities to continue learning their
second language in a professional context. La Cité hires 5 to 8 FSL participants for the
Languages at Work program. If you are interested, you will submit your resume for
consideration in week 2 of your program.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Our five-week French immersion program starts on May 16. Please plan to arrive on this
date. Registration will take place at the FRIEL Residence, downtown Ottawa.
Spring session: May 16 to June 17, 2016
Check-in: University of Ottawa FRIEL residence*, Monday, May 16, between 12p.m and
8 p.m.
Address: 240 Friel Street, Ottawa, ON K1N 1H6
Mandatory checkout: Friday, June 17 before 11:00 am.
Arriving early? Call the University residence at (613) 860-6997.
Accommodations prior to or following the program are at your expense.
PROGRAM REGISTRATION
Online registration
There is a non-refundable $265 program registration fee ($250.00 + $15.00 student card
fee). Payments can be made with Visa or MasterCard. Please keep in mind that your
place is not confirmed until we have received your registration.
Student card
You must submit your photo for your student card BEFORE you arrive. Please refer to
the step-by-step directions indicated on the La Cité website.
Your student card has several functions on campus. You will receive your student card
at registration on May 16.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the average age of the students?
Participants registered in the French Program must be 19 years or older. The majority of
students are between 19 and 50 years old. Mature applicants are always welcomed and
strongly encouraged at la Cité.
Where are the participants generally from?
Students come from different provinces across Canada. Every province is generally
represented in the French program, including Quebec.
How many students are participating in the program?
La Cite collegial registers approximately 100 students French spring session. Explore
Bursary quotas change from year to year and these numbers include fee-paying
Canadian and International students.
What do we do when we arrive on May 16?
Registration will take place at the University of Ottawa FRIEL Residence. You will go
there first.
How many classes per day?
Students are registered in FSL Grammar classes in the mornings from Monday to Friday,
FSL Oral Communication classes in the afternoon Monday to Thursday and FSL Language
in Social Context courses with mandatory socio-cultural activities scheduled Thursday
evenings, Friday afternoons and Saturdays. Students will have additional optional
activities and workshops almost every evening.
In what level will I be placed?
Placement tests will be administered to all participants. Please note that students are
registered in their classes based on their academic results. Students are registered in
their appropriate linguistic level for the duration of the 5 weeks. There are 5 FLS
grammar levels.
What are the courses offered at your institution?
The English and French Programs use an integrated skills approach to teach all
language skills. The morning classes tend to focus on a combination of grammar, writing,
reading comprehension and communication skills. The oral communication afternoon
classes focus primarily on listening and speaking skills and the socio-cultural
educational excursions related to the course Language in Social Context focus on
vocabulary building and enhancing your writing skills in the target language. Instructors
are encouraged to use eclectic approaches and techniques combining different linguistic
methodologies to best meet the linguistic objectives of the program.
What is the attendance policy at la Cité?
La Cité has a strict attendance policy for both English and French programs. Three (3)
absences without valid justification will result in immediate expulsion from the program.
Can students be automatically expelled from the program?
In addition to the Immediate expulsion from the Program will be decided by the
Coordinator for the following misdemeanors:
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Any illegal activities, such as possession of illegal substances or chemicals.
Vandalism and theft on la Cité property, or at Friel residence.
All forms of harassment as outlined in the Directives of the college.
Any action willfully and unreasonably taken to damage the reputation of the
Explore program of La Cité.
What kind of mandatory socio-cultural activities are offered at La Cité?
There will be several compulsory socio-cultural activities each week. Attendance is
obligatory and participants are requested to arrive at the meeting places on time.
Educational excursions at La Cité may include Tour of Parliament of Canada, Peace
Tower Ottawa River Boat Cruise, Dow’s Lake and Rideau Canal, Laurier House, Lac
Philippe in the Gatineau Park, National Art Gallery of Canada, Upper Canada Village on
the St. Lawrence, Busker Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Jazz Festival, Museum of
Civilization, Currency Museum, Canadian Museum of Nature, Byward Market tours and
more …
What kind of optional activities are offered?
Participate in workshops, sports and recreational activities in the evenings. Optional
activities vary every year. The National Capital Region has a lot of attractions and
students will be encouraged to explore the city with language monitors in order to
practice the target language in social settings as much as possible. Some activities may
include: walking or cycling tours, sports activities on campus, outdoor soccer games,
cooking contests, hip-hop classes, karate, movie nights and more.
What does the meal plan include?
You will be given $575 to purchase groceries. You will be able to prepare your food in
the residence or purchase food at the cafeteria.
Can I work in the evening or on weekends during the program?
No, the Explore Program is a full-time immersion program and attendance is absolutely
mandatory.
Will La Cité come and pick me up at the airport?
La Cité is not responsible for airport pickup. The best option for students is to take or
share a taxi. Other options may include local bus transportation.