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Once you have made the decision that you want French for your Life, there is nothing that can stop you. Students in Manitoba are fortunate to have access to many cultural, educational and social activities, en français.

Whether you are a French Immersion student, taking French classes or new to the language, this website endeavors to provide you with useful links and information that will help you along your path to becoming functionally bilingual in both of Canada’s official languages.

Here is a sample of some of the ways students can participate in French or bilingual opportunities in Manitoba, in Canada and abroad.

Languages at Work

Languages at Work is a summer employment program for youth 18 to 30 years of age (certain institutions accept 16-17 year olds), designed to provide Canadian students with practical summer job experience, a chance to practice and improve their second official language skills (either French or English), and the opportunity to discover a new region of the country.

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.

Designed for Explore participants, Languages at Work offers them unique opportunities to continue learning their second language in a professional context.

  • Provide meaningful summer employment opportunities to Explore participants;
  • Provide participants with the opportunity to increase their knowledge and appreciation of their second language while discovering a new region of the country.
Click here for more information

YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange

The YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange (SWSE) program is a national exchange opportunity for 16- and 17-year-old youth living in Canada. Over six weeks in the summer, youth travel to another community in Canada, living and working in their second official language. Participants are employed in the public sector or non-profit jobs, providing them with meaningful employment experience and a chance to contribute to impactful work in communities across the country.

Interested in travel, meaningful work and experiencing new things this summer?

The YMCA Summer Work Student Exchange (SWSE) is a national exchange program for 16- and 17-year-old Canadians. For six weeks in the summer, you’ll travel to an area of Canada where your second official language is spoken, work full time in a community-based organization, stay with a host family and participate in program activities to integrate into your new community.

SWSE is committed to making the program accessible for you. We support youth of diverse cultures and beliefs, income levels, skills and interests. 

While on exchange, all youth work full time with a non-profit or public sector organization. You’ll be paid at the provincial minimum wage of the province you’re working in, and be provided opportunities to grow valuable job skills for the future. During the interview process, you will answer questions about your preferred areas of employment.

Below are some examples of past job placements:

  • Working at a media arts company
  • Interning at a museum or cultural centre
  • Assisting as a science and technology camp counsellor
  • Being a counsellor-in-training at a soccer camp
To Apply, click here

Rideau Hall Interpretive

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

Visit their website for more information. 

Young Canada Works

Young Canada Works (YCW) offers young Canadians the opportunity to develop skills and gain experience in the workplace.

Through job and internship programs, students and graduates can put their skills to the test, build career equity, earn an income and get started on the right career path. The YCW program creates approximately 2,300 job opportunities per year in the fields of heritage, arts, culture and official languages.

The program lasts between six and 16 weeks. It offers job opportunities to students with organizations that conduct activities in both official languages. Students can gain practical work experience while improving their second language skills.

 

Learn about the eligibility criteria of the Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages.