Take part in French language study and work programs

Explore 16+ is a 5-week French-immersion program. The program takes place in different locations during the summer and spring breaks.

Students with any skill level in French can take part. Participants are placed in classes adapted to their language level.

Post-secondary students may get credit recognition depending on their institution.

A typical day will depend on the chosen location and institution. You can expect classes and workshops adapted to your language level in the mornings. Workshops might include, among other topics:

• theatre;
• baking;
• arts;
• radio;
• journalism; and
• photography.

You will spend afternoons doing things such as:

• visiting the area;
• outdoor activities;
• sports; and
• social activities.

You can also expect some free time.

Du grand Nord

Eligibility

To qualify, you must:

• be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (people studying in Canada on a student visa are not eligible);
• be a secondary or post-secondary student studying French as a 2nd language;
• be at least 16 years old by the time your Explore 16+ course begins; and
• have been a full-time student for at least 1 term during the current school year.

Costs

The program provides funding that covers:

• tuition;
• instructional materials;
• meals;
• accommodation; and
• most activities.

These expenses are not covered:

• registration fees;
• travel expenses;
• some optional activities; and
• pocket money.

Explore program travel bursary

To offset some of your travel expenses you can apply to get the Explore program travel bursary.

For more information and how to apply

Visit the Explore program website.

Destination Clic is a 3-week summer program for francophone students. Participants are sent to a francophone community in:

• Ontario;
• New Brunswick; or
• Quebec.

This program will help you enrich your language skills. You will meet other francophone students from across Canada and discover another region.

A typical day depends on the location since each program offers its own activities. You can expect a busy day enjoying a diversity of activities, such as:

• courses;
• workshops;
• outings;
• excursions to local attractions;
• cultural events; and
• sports.

Eligibility

To qualify, you must:

• be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident (people studying in Canada on a student visa are not eligible);
• have your permanent residence outside of Quebec;
• be enrolled in a French First Language school in Grade 8 or 9; and
• have been a full-time student for at least 1 term during the current school year.

Students who speak French as a 1st language but do not attend a French-language school may also apply. Further documentation or assessment may be required on your level of fluency.

Costs

The program provides funding that covers:

• tuition;
• instructional materials;
• meals;
• part for your travel costs;
• accommodation; and
• most activities.

These expenses are not covered:

• registration fees;
• part of travel expenses;
• some optional activities; and
• pocket money.

For more information and how to apply

Visit the Destination Clic website.

Odyssey is a paid 9-month work experience in a school environment. It involves working as a language assistant with students in French or English, depending on the requirements of each province and territory

Odyssey Yukon

In the Yukon, we only offer positions for French as a second language assistant. You will work with elementary and high school students offering different types of programs (core French, intensive French, and French immersion). You may also be required to travel to Yukon communities.  

As a language assistant, you will work in a classroom setting with teachers using games and activities to help students learn and improve their French-speaking skills. You will share culture and knowledge of the language through activities such as:

• art;
• music;
• stories;
• local expressions; 
• humour; and
• through other ways.

You'll also help the Cultural Partnerships Officer organize and run yearly cultural activities such as sugar shacks, Chante-la ta chanson, La Folie Furieuse, etc. 

You will be paid for 25 hours of work per week from September to May, for a maximum of 900 hours. Applications must be made via the Odyssey webpage.

Salary and Benefits in the Yukon 

You will receive a taxable salary of $30,600 ($30 per hour from the Council of Ministers of Education and an additional $4 per hour allowance paid by the Government of Yukon) for the 9-month term, plus 8% vacation pay.  

Additionally, you will be paid on statutory holidays from October onward and benefit from 4 weeks of paid vacation (Winter break and Spring break). 

Under certain conditions, if your posting work is over 200 km away from your home province or territory, you can qualify for an allowance to cover 2 return trips to your home.  

Eligibility

You are not required to have prior classroom experience to apply but you must:

• be either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada (people studying in Canada on a student visa are not eligible);
• have solid written and oral French or English language skills (depending on the language in which you'll work); and
• have completed within the last 10 years;
  • at least one full year of post-secondary studies, in either college or university (for studies outside Quebec in Canada);
  • two years of college-level studies or one full year of university (for studies in Quebec);
    For studies outside Canada, at least one full year of post-secondary studies, in either college or university. You will also need to submit a formal assessment of your academic credentials.

For more information and how to apply

Visit the Odyssey website. In the Yukon, we may accept applications during the school year. 

This program is also offered across Canada, in French as a first language, French as a second language and English as a second language.