Media Press Releases 285 Young French Language Speakers Wow Record Crowd in Surrey
| 285 Young French Language Speakers Wow Record Crowd in Surrey |
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Released: May 13, 2010 Vancouver – Speaking on topics as radically different as female circumcision in Africa or the Olympic Games, 285 students in Grade 6 to 12 presented five-minute speeches in the daylong provincial and territorial finals of the 27th annual Concours d’art oratoire (Concours) last Saturday. The event, organized by Canadian Parents for French – BC & Yukon Branch, is the culmination of classroom, school and district competitions involving thousands of students across British Columbia. An estimated 800 attendees, including student competitors, filled the mezzanine of Simon Fraser University Surrey. Thirty seven volunteer judges chose 72 first, second and third place winners in five categories: Early French immersion, Late French immersion, Core French, Francophone and, for the first time in Concours' history, Intensive French. Prizes include university entrance scholarships, books and medals. Grade 12 winners in four of the five categories will be invited to the National finals in Ottawa, where they will compete for a $20,000 scholarship to the University of Ottawa. New this year, three grade 6 winners will take part in the Vancouver International Children’s Festival’s Youth 4 Youth program later this month. Sponsors and supporters of the event include: Canadian Heritage; the BC Ministry of Education; School District #93; the University of Alberta; Simon Fraser University Surrey; the University of Ottawa; Radio-Canada; the Consulate General of France; Québec Intergovernmental Affairs; the Canadian Club of Vancouver; the BC Federation of Francophones; the Express du Pacifique newspaper. Canadian Parents for French-BC & Yukon is a non-governmental, parent-led organization promoting French-second-language educational and cultural learning opportunities for youth. With almost 9,000 members, the BC & Yukon branch is by far the largest in Canada. Source: Robert Rothon, Executive Director, CPF - BC & Yukon. 778.329.9115, ext. 316. |
