Congratulations, you have chosen to participate in the IN-PERSON 5-week EXPLORE Spring Intensive French Immersion Program at the University of Saskatchewan! The principal objective of our program is to improve your SPOKEN French. So be ready to SPEAK French and have FUN too! PLEASE NOTE: All classes and workshops are posted in Central Standard Time.

For any questions or if having trouble registering, please contact Gisèle Piché, University of Saskatchewan EXPLORE Program Director, by phone at 306-966-4355 or by email at gisele.piche@usask.ca.

• Les Horaires : PRÉSENTIEL

Obtaining Credit

You may choose to have this 5-week French Immersion program recognized as 6-credit unit course at the University of Saskatchewan or at your home university. 

All students who wish to receive credit for the Explore French Immersion Program must obtain a letter of permission from the appropriate department and faculty at their home institution and must order an official transcript for $10.

It is highly recommended that the letter of permission:

• Be obtained prior to the beginning of the program.
• Outlines exactly what your home institution requires in order for credit to be granted, i.e. level of study in French, final grade percentage, person and address where the official transcript is to be sent, and student number at your home institution.
• Be sent directly to Gisèle Piché at gisele.piche@usask.ca. 

Absences

Our program is based on mastery of language over a period of intensive study, particularly the speaking and listening components. Permissions to be absent from the program are not given. As a condition of the bursary, students must be 100% available for the program at all times. Students can be absent up to a maximum of 10% of class time. If a student exceeds 10% for example if illness continually prevents a student from attending class, activities or workshops, they will be asked to discontinue.

During the program, there are scheduled French Immersion workshops for students. These are compulsory for all students. Every student must be registered for 5 workshops. Please note that these workshops group students according to interest and not according to their level of French proficiency. Bring your speaking and listening French language skills, and enthusiam for the subject!

Please read through the description of the workshops. This will help you decide before you go online to register. We do our best to offer enough spots, but it is first come, first serve. (In the past, students have always obtained their first, second and/or third choice.)

These will be announced soon!

Wanuskewin

The visit to Wanuskewin Heritage Park is an opportunity for you to understand the rich history of the park and the Plains Indigenous people who have lived in the area for thousands of years! Students and instructors will participate in the Opimihaw Walk, learn about tipis and traditional games and end the day with a dance performance.

Entrance and programming fees, are covered by the Explore Program. The Explore program will also cover the costs of a Bannock dessert.

Pike Lake Provincial Park

Located 20 minutes south of Saskatoon, Pike Lake Provincial Park is loved for its lush lawns pleasantly shaded by aspen, ash and birch trees. Situated on the South Saskatchewan River, the park offers various recreational opportunities for visitors to enjoy including water activities, playgrounds, tennis and volleyball courts, golf and a popular outdoor pool with a waterslide. The park's 1.5-km nature trail begins at the interpretive centre and provides a great opportunity to experience the diverse wildlife and ecosystems contained within the park. 

Entrance and canoe rental fees are covered by the Explore Program. Please note that weather conditions may cause this excursion to be cancelled or certain on-site activities to be closed.

Danse folklorique

Folkloric dance means dances of the people. This type of dance reflects the traditions, cultures, and beliefs of people in a particular region. Folkloric dance expresses the life and spirit of a people through its movement and music. Come and have fun or encourage your classmates, and all in French!

Le film : Le Petit Prince

Released in 2015, this film has won the César Award for Best Animated Film, Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Music in a Feature Production. It is adapted from the short story, Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. In the film, the Aviator introduces a girl to a world where she rediscovers her childhood and learns that it's human connections that matter most, and that it is only with heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.

Tournoi de ballon volant

Whether an athlete or an amateur, students will form teams to play in our very own in-house tournament. Medals and prizes are given to winners. A French event that is enjoyed by all!

Course intergalactique

Based on one of Canada's most popular tv shows, this event offers teams of participants, of various levels a similar experience with pit stops and challenges designed to discover the USask campus and underline the links to the short story: Le Petit Prince.

Loups-garous

For Intermediate and Advanced speakers of French. A game where your opinions matter, where your "game life" depends on your ability to convince others, and where you need to be innocent until proven guilty.

Kiosques touristiques

For Beginner and Low Intermediate speakers of French. An activity where you can practice your questions, your "travelling" vocabulary, your listening comprehension skills and more... Welcome to Paris on the Prairies!

Observatory

The USask Observatory provides the public with weekly viewings of our night sky every Saturday night. Admission is free. The campus observatory was constructed in two phases between 1928 and 1930, at a cost of approximately $23,000.

The Observatory houses a 3-meter long refracting telescope with 6 inch diameter lens. On clear Saturday nights, staff will point the telescope at seasonal objects in the sky. Planets, nebulae, star clusters, galaxies, and even comets can be viewed at the right times of the year. On cloudy nights, staff present an educational slide show depicting objects in our solar system, galaxy, and beyond.

The Observatory also features a small museum with a tour of our solar system. Exhibits also highlight the history and fundamentals of Astronomy, and there is even a display on black holes!

Saskatoon Berry Barn

Cost: $40/student (includes GST)

The Berry Barn is a relaxing getaway just minutes from the city, with homestyle cooking served in a country-style dining room or on the patio, with beautiful views of the South Saskatchewan River.

Berry Barn offers Orchard-fresh Saskatoon Berry pies and desserts, a craft shop featuring an exclusive line of Saskatoon Berry gifts and souvenirs, jams, jellies, and toppings made in house, beautiful displays of flowers in the gardens and in the Berry Patch, a laid-back country atmosphere in a scenic riverside location surrounded by orchards, away from the roar of the city, and U-Pick berries (in season).

The fee covers the cost of accompanied Explore staff, transportation to a venue where you can walk the river edge, pay to pick berries, view gift shop and enjoy a piece of homemade Saskatoon Berry Pie, juice, tea or coffee.

Prairie Lily Riverboat Cruise

Cost: $31.50/student (includes GST)

Enjoy a cruise through the heart of Saskatoon on the South Saskatchewan River! Cruising on the Prairie Lily you'll see the natural beauty of the Meewasin Valley, the welcoming of our downtown, the friendliness of River Landing and the personality of our living river.

Students will walk to the boarding area on the river from Mohyla Residence. Recommended departure time: 12:45pm. Boarding at 1:30pm, sailing at 2:00pm