FRENCH - Ministère des Relations internationales et de la

QUÉBEC
Promoting the French language
FRENCH: A LANGUAGE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
Ensuring the long-term viability of the French language in the Americas is a central
focus of the Government of Québec’s efforts. As North America’s only majority
francophone society, Québec is committed to fostering the use of French and
the teaching of the language beyond its borders. The existence of francophone
communities across North America also helps to further the use of French. As the
cradle of French in North America, Québec is strongly committed to protecting and
promoting the French language. To that end, Québec offers a variety of resources—
programs, courses and online content—and undertakes initiatives with a number of
organizations.
French in Québec
• Official language since 1974
• Language of government, work,
education, communications,
commerce and business
• 83% of Quebecers speak French
at home
• 40% of Quebecers are bilingual
(French/English)
PROGRAMS AND COURSES
Advantages of learning French
• To communicate with 200 million
people around the world, including
more than 30 million in the Americas.
• To learn about different francophone
cultures or to study in francophone
countries.
• To speak one of the official working
languages of the UN, NATO, UNESCO,
the International Olympic Committee,
the European Union and the Red Cross.
• www.theworldspeaksfrench.org
Association québécoise des écoles de français (AQEF)
www.aqef.qc.ca
[Québec Association of French Schools]
The AQEF is an association of accredited colleges and universities offering courses
in French as a second or foreign language (FSL). These institutions organize a
variety of immersion programs featuring intensive French courses at all levels
(beginners, intermediate, advanced), as well as social, cultural and sports
activities. These programs attract students from various age groups, depending
on the institution.
Training program in Québec language, culture and society
www.gouv.qc.ca/portail/quebec/international/usa/etudes/apprendre_le_
francais/cours_francais
Every year, the Ministry of International Relations provides financial assistance to members of the American Association of Teachers
of French (AATF) wishing to take part in an FSL teacher training program. Training programs in Québec language, culture and
society are held every summer at Laval University and the University of Montreal.
ORGANIZATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Centre de la francophonie des Amériques
www.francophoniedesameriques.com
Inaugurated in 2008, the Centre aims to encourage the use of French and to bring together francophones and francophiles from
across the Americas. Featuring cultural and academic programs, it also organizes a variety of forums, scientific conferences,
contests and cultural events geared primarily towards young people. The Centre also seeks to promote the diversity of francophone
cultures in the Americas.
AATF, ACQS, ACSUS, AIEQ - www.frenchteachers.org (AATF) / www.acqs.org (ACQS)/
www.acsus.org (ACSUS) / www.aieq.qc.ca (AIEQ)
The Government of Québec undertakes initiatives with a number of associations with a view to promoting French and
Québec society in the US, including the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF), the American Council for
Québec Studies (ACQS) and the Association for Canadian Studies in the United States (ACSUS), which collectively represent
hundreds of French language and Québec studies teachers. The International Association of Québec Studies (AIEQ) also
offers a variety of resources aimed at promoting Québec studies around the world.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Courses, programs
• Association québécoise des écoles de français: www.aqef.qc.ca [Québec Association of French Schools]
• Radio-Canada language courses: www.radio-canada.ca/jeunesse/courslangues/index.html
• Learning French with TV5: www.tv5.org/TV5Site/ap/accueil_ville.php?id_ville=17
Dictionaries, encyclopedias, publications, medias
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Association nationale des éditeurs de livres: www.anel.qc.ca [book publishers association]
Communication-jeunesse: www.communication-jeunesse.qc.ca [youth-oriented communications]
Dictionnaire Le Visuel: www.ledictionnairevisuel.com [visual dictionary]
Dictionnaire québécois Franqus: http://Franqus.ca [dictionary of Québec French]
Encyclopédie de l’Agora: www.agora.qc.ca [virtual encyclopedia in French]
Encyclopédie de la Francophonie: www.agora.qc.ca/francophonie.nsf [La Francophonie encyclopedia]
Encyclopédie du patrimoine culturel de l’Amérique française: www.ameriquefrancaise.org [cultural heritage encyclopedia]
Export Livre: www.exportlivre.com/ [book export agency]
Grand dictionnaire terminologique: www.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/ressources/gdt_bdl2.html [terminological dictionary]
Youth-oriented literature: www.livresouverts.qc.ca/index_V3.php
Digital books in French: www.jelis.ca/livres_jeunesse_fr.aspx
Québec Français: www.revueqf.ulaval.ca [quarterly journal and magazine]
Radio-Canada/French Television Programs : www.tou.tv
Organizations and associations
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Association canadienne d’éducation de langue française (ACELF): www.acelf.ca/index.php [French language teachers]
Association québécoise des professeurs de français (AQPF): www.aqpf.qc.ca [French language teachers]
Association québécoise des enseignants de français langue seconde (AQEFLS): www.aqefls.org [FSL teachers]
Centre de la francophonie des Amériques (CFA): www.francophoniedesameriques.com
Éducation internationale : www.education-internationale.com [Cooperative for educational development and
exchange service]
• Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF): www.olf.gouv.qc.ca [Québec’s French language office]
Educational activities
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ACELF educational activity database: www.acelf.ca/c/bap
CCDMD Learning Centre: www.ccdmd.qc.ca/en/
Francofête: www.francofete.qc.ca [French language festival]
Dictée des Amériques: www.dicteedesameriques.com [French dictation contest]
Radio-Canada/Ressources for teachers : www.radio-canada.ca/jeunesse/pourlesprofs
Studying in Québec
• Québec Department of Immigration: www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/fr/informations/etudier-vivre/index.html
Québec-related resources
• Government of Québec’s official tourism site: www.bonjourquebec.com/qc-fr/lequebec.html
• Québec’s international portal: www.gouv.qc.ca/portail/quebec/international/usa/quebec
• Panorama-Québec: www.panorama-quebec.com
www.quebecusa.org
February 2010