Get Ready for Trois-Pistoles
The French Immersion experience in Trois-Pistoles is a unique way to improve your French skills and learn more about Quebecois culture. You can get a head start on your immersion experience by participating in one, or both, of our optional preparatory courses.
The prep course content is designed for beginner and intermediate level participants (placement test score below 68%).
ONLINE PREP COURSES
Online Prep Courses
Our online French Essentials Certificate Program features our partner town of Trois-Pistoles and offers a variety of activities and tasks for students learning French and looking to simultaneously experience the Quebecois culture.
These self-guided courses are designed to help you prepare for your experience in Trois-Pistoles from the comfort of your own home or while on the go!
What to Expect
You will complete a number of modules that include both linguistic and cultural components. These modules will help you familiarize yourself with the Bas-Saint-Laurent region as well as the Quebecois expressions you will hear and use while in Trois-Pistoles.
The courses are available completely online so you can work at your own pace and review learning materials at any time. You will have the chance to learn or refresh basic language skills and build your confidence communicating through listening and speaking activities.
Interactive quizzes will help you appreciate all that you have learned as well as what you may need to review before your arrival in Trois-Pistoles.
Topics include:
- Language for daily interactions;
- Pronunciation;
- Quebecois culture.
PREP WEEK IN TROIS-PISTOLES (Not offered in 2023)
In-Person Prep Week
The Prep Week Program is held prior to our Five Week (Explore) summer session. Prep Week is designed to help you become familiar with Western University's French Immersion School, the town of Trois-Pistoles, and to feel more comfortable and confident using the French language in daily situations before the Five Week program begins.
Additional benefits of an extra week of immersion include:
- Personalized and special attention due to small class sizes;
- Better understanding of the organization and operation of the French Immersion School;
- Opportunities for connecting with other learners at your level;
- An extra week to reach your second language goals.
What to Expect
Using an action-oriented approach, activities throughout Prep Week will focus on everyday tasks in a variety of real-life situations. All of the activities will be carried out in French and participants will be required to interact in French with assistance from staff, members of the local community as well as their host family members.
Morning
From Monday to Friday, you will be enrolled in morning sessions during which basic vocabulary for communicating will be taught or reviewed.
Afternoon
During the afternoons, you will be tasked with using the vocabulary learned in your morning class in authentic situations (e.g. ordering coffee at a café, renting a bike, asking the price of an item at the local 'dépanneur').
Evening
Various sociocultural activities will be offered during the evening. Take a look at our preliminary prep week calendar for an idea of what to expect.
The dedicated employees of the Trois-Pistoles French Immersion School, along with our welcoming host families, help create a supportive learning atmosphere and help you feel at home in your new surroundings. On completing our Preparatory Week, you will be ready to start the following session with confidence!
