An award recipient of Canadian Parents for French Alberta will soon be bringing a French forum to Cochrane and area students. Trish Rognvaldson, who became involved with the national organization when she enrolled her children in French immersion a few years ago, won the Volunteer of the Year award. Now, she’s hoping she can continue to encourage youth to pursue French and second languages through French for the Future, which she recently began a part time position with. “I’m so thrilled about it,” Rognvaldson said. “We are expecting our numbers to be a minimum of 250 high school students, grades 9 through 12.” French for the Future is a Canadian non-profit organization that aims to promote bilingualism and French-language education in Canada. Similar forums will be held by French for the Future in 15 cities across the country, including three in Alberta. “It’s really about encouraging the students to continue their French second language learning in whatever program they’re doing that in,” Rognvaldson said. “The speakers will give the benefit of bringing some cultural aspects. It will be engaging, moving and all in French,” Rognvaldson said. “The kids are in an environment that they can feel comfortable speaking French and using their French and seeing what the benefits are to continue that beyond high school into post secondary... In their career, in travel, in day-to-day activities.” Multiple school districts will be invited and students learning French in Cochrane, Calgary and surrounding areas will have the opportunity to learn about scholarships, bursaries, exchanges and more available to them. As well, the forum will touch on aspects of cultural importance of knowing French and prospective career opportunities. “I’m super excited to be bringing that here to Cochrane, I think that will open the doors for some others to possibly attend,” said Rognvaldson. “It just gives them a little more incentive to put some value on continuing” She said accomplishments are another big piece in motivating students to continue French learning. “It is an accomplishment for them,” Rognvaldson said. “Learning and studying other languages is something they should be very proud of and see the value that this can hold for them now and down the road.” “Having a second language is really a gift.” The forum will be held at the Cochrane RancheHouse on March 20, 2019 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information visit www.french-future.org.
