Grade 3 students in Mme. Sudgen’s French class are learning the phrasing required to question and talk about others, while Mme. Stanley’s Grade 6 students have already learned to speak about their likes and dislikes in an earlier unit this year. 

An enrichment opportunity arose for both grades to explore the importance of learning about each other and expressing themselves in a different language. Additionally, having a real-life situation to truly use their communication skills gives an added layer of reinforcing another language.

The interviews were not just about learning a new language, they were about broadening horizons and exploring the diversity of our students

Several brave Grade 6 students volunteered their time to be interviewed by a group of Grade 3s, who accepted the challenge to expand their French interview skills. Each Grade 3 student was paired off with a Grade 6 buddy, who responded to their interview questions. At the same time as the Grade 3s are just learning how to express themselves in more detail, the Grade 6s are getting the chance to realize how far they have come in the past few years with their own French language journeys.

The interviews were not just about learning a new language, they were about broadening horizons and exploring the diversity of our students, and they even got to make a connection with someone from a different grade. It’s in these moments that our faculty goes beyond to provide rewarding opportunities for our students, motivating learning through cross-grade groupings.

Samples of the questions and answers from the interviews:

LUC: Comment t’appelles-tu (what's your name)?
SEAN: Je suis Sean (I am Sean).

KLAUS: Quel âge as-tu (how old are you)?
SOPHIE: J'ai 11 ans (I’m 11).

AYDIN: Quelle est ta nationalité (what is your nationality?)
AARON: Canadien (Canadian).

CHARLES: Qui est dans ta famille (who is in your family)?
BOWYN: Maman, papa et frère (mom, dad and brother).

EATON: Est-ce que tu as un animal domestique (do you have a pet)?
EDDIE: Oui, un chien (yes, a dog).

ARIEL: Quel est ton sujet préféré (what is your favourite subject)?
EVA: J’aime la musique (I like music).

ARIEL: Qu’est-ce que tu aimes manger (what do you like to eat)?
ARIAH: J'aime manger les pommes (I like to eat apples)

ASHAR: Quelle est ta couleur préférée (what is your favourite colour)?
NIHAL: J'aime le bleu (I like blue).

AARAV: Qu’est-ce que tu aimes faire (what do you like to do)?
JOANNA: J'aime jouer au basket (I like to play basketball).

Why I volunteered...

While it was an assignment for the Grade 3 students, our older students volunteered for a number of selfless reasons.

“I come from a French-speaking family, and I wanted to support younger students with speaking French.” - BOWYN D.

“When I was in Grade 3, I looked up to the older students who would come in and help us practice French. My sister is also in the Grade 3 class, so wanted to be there to help her practice her French.” - AARON Z.

“I wanted them to be able to feel confident with speaking French while practicing with older students who may have different levels of skills. They get to learn in a different way and meet new people.” - ARIAH L.

“One of my friends has a sibling in this class, so I wanted to help his class practice French.” - SEAN L.

“I wanted to see if I could help them practice French, but I learned their French is really good! Practicing with them made me want to get better myself and I now know I need to review the colours in French a bit more.” - RAY W.