Parents

Choosing to provide your child with a bilingual education is an important decision. Whether you are considering enrolling your child in the French Immersion program, or simply looking for information on French-second-language (FSL) learning opportunities, French for Life is proud to support parents of FSL students.

Discover why bilingualism is so vital in today's world, what you can do to help your child and what current research is saying about the importance of bilingualism. Get answers to your questions, learn where you can turn for support or start your own journey towards bilingualism in Canada's official languages!

Opportunities for Students

OCOL – Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages Interactive Map

Interactive map allows you to explore the second-language learning opportunities available at every university across Canada.

Université de Saint-Boniface

Established in Manitoba nearly 200 years ago, Université de Saint-Boniface offers a friendly and supportive learning environment to French speaking students from around the world.

Odyssey – Odyssée

Full time, remunerated language assistant program for Anglophones, wishing to work in a francophone environment, and vice versa.

Participants support a teacher by leading language activities, in English, in an Elementary, Secondary, or Post-Secondary classroom.

Canadian citizens who have completed at least one year of Post-Secondary studies within the last 10 years.

YMCA Summer Works Student Exchange/Emplois d'été Échanges étudiants YMCA

Remunerated summer work experience program, offering participants the opportunity to work in their second official language.

Students for different regions of Canada move to a new community and create an agenda of activities to learn about each other and their new community. Transportation to and from host community is provided free of charge by VIA Rail.

16 and 17 year old students.

International Experience Internationale

A Visa program that allows Canadians to stay in France for an extended period; Visas usually last up to one year, with certain exceptions.

Professional development for young workers, inter-university exchanges, education related work experiences stages (co-ops in Canada), university vacation work, and work/holiday experiences.

Bilingual individuals 18 to 35 years of age.

Rideau Hall Interpretive Guide

Remunerated Guide-Interpreters greet visitors and conduct guided tours while interpreting various themes and presenting interpretative programs to diversified, international clientele. Participants must possess excellent oral communication skills in both English and French.

Bilingual individuals who qualify for the Federal Student Work Experience3 Program.

Student Guide Program

Remunerated guide-interpreters give guided tours in battlefield terrain and underground tunnels, while providing operational support to visitor's centers on the site of World War 1 memorials in France. Participants have access to shared housing with other guide-interpreters.

Bilingual individuals who can provide written proof of full-time student status and who qualify for the Federal Student Work Experience Program.

The Senate Page Program

Remunerated work experience. Senate Pages are responsible for a variety of activities associated with the legislative process. Participants must complete a training program and work around their class schedule.

Students enrolled in full-time studies at Carleton University, Saint-Paul's University, the University of Ottawa and the Université du Québec.

House of Commons Page Program

Remunerated House of Commons' Pages serve the Speaker, Chair Occupants, Members of Parliament and Table Officers in various capacities. Pages work a minimum of 15 hours per week, while completing their first year of studies.

First year students enrolled in full-time studies at Carleton University, Saint-Paul's University, the University of Ottawa and the University of Québec.

Réseau international de la jeunesse

The RIJ is an internship which allows participants to undertake a practical work experience, in French, in a member Francophonie country. This unique and rewarding experience will help broaden your understanding of the world, discover new cultures, and acquire new knowledge while developing new skills.

Canadian citizens aged 18 to 30.

Juno Beach Centre's Guide Program

Remunerated guide-interpreters participate in special events, and inform visitors of Canada's contribution to the Second World War and contemporary Canada. A passport and French visa is required.

Bilingual Post-Secondary students or individuals who have graduated within the past year.

Encounters with Canada
Rencontres du Canada

Week long youth forums that bring together 120 – 148 teens from across the country. Each week has its own theme (Arts and Culture, Sports and Fitness, Journalism and Communication, etc).

Canadian residents aged 14 to 17 years.

Programme d'échanges
Manitoba-Québec Student Exchange Program

Manitoban students are paired with Québec students for a six- month period; three months in Manitoba and three months in Québec. Students live and attend school with their pair during their exchange semester; they receive one credit for completing the program.

French Immersion and strong Basic French students in Grades 10, 11 and 12.

Experiences Canada (Formerly SEVEC)

Multiple programs: Youth Exchanges Canada, Youth Advisory Committee (The YAK), Youth Saluting Youth, Rendez-vous Canada.

Groups from different regions are paired and billet each other. A typical exchange lasts one week.

Groups of 10 to 30 participants, between the ages of 12 and 17.

Forum for Young Canadians
Forum pour jeunes canadiens

A bilingual, educational, behind the scenes experience, created to teach teens about the political processes that are used to govern Canada.

Students 15 to 19 years of age.

Explore

A five-week immersion program for students wishing to enhance their French-language skills. Students attend a college or university in a francophone environment.

Canadian citizens, at least in Grade 11, or studying at the Post- Secondary level; must have been a full time student for one term during the current school year.

The Learning Traveller

An educational travel company that specializes in helping you select and experience the perfect language immersion program.

Language learning holidays for teens, for gap year students, for adult and for 55+ learners.

Nacel Canada

A not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting international understanding and language education.

Participants stay with a host family in their new community.

Academic Program participants must be between 15 and 17 years of age at time of departure.

OSEF – Organisme de séjours éducatifs français

OSEF France-Canada invites you to discover France, Belgium or Luxemburg and improve your language skills in French.

Reciprocal homestay summer exchange: Canadian students spend the month of July in France, returning home with their French exchange partners, who in turn spend the month of August in Canada. 11 week exchanges also available.

Participants must be 13 to 17 years of age.

École Québec Monde

A language school offering French classes to anyone in the world who wishes to learn and experience French in Québec City. A variety of programs are offered.

Students must be at least 18 years of age to enroll at École Québec Monde. It is possible to conditionally accept students who are under 18 years of age with an authorization letter from a parent or guardian.

Education First

Education First is the world's largest provider of international exchange programs. Learn a language. Study abroad. Explore other cultures.

Programs range from 2 to 52 weeks in length.

Programs for adults and students.