FRENCH PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST UNDETERRED BY RAIN
Concours d’art oratoire speaks to students’s love of French
Halifax: The Concours d’art oratoire is a competition hosted each spring by Canadian Parents for French (CPF). The students present first at their school level, and then may be selected to compete at the provincial, and national levels.
Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia (CPF Nova Scotia) held their 34th provincial Concours d’art oratoire (French public speaking contest) on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Mount Saint Vincent University. Despite the storm watch warnings, the rain did not deter students from attending and presenting their speeches to the judges. Students in Grades 5-12 participated with a variety of topics ranging from climate change to international refugees. Students from every school board in the province, including the Conseil scolaire Acadien provincial (CSAP) and the Canadian Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), participated in the event.
One hundred and thirty-eight students represented every French program in the province from core French to immersion to French first language. The categories are designed to provide participants with the chance to test themselves against those with similar French experience and enrichment. Students are also required to respond to questions posed by the judging panel regarding their speech topics.
Over 200 people were at the event to cheer on their friends and family. Entertainment after the presentations was Yves Rossignol et ses amis. Yves is an entertainer and retired teacher from the South Shore. He is well-known for his impersonation of Samuel de Champlain. He is also the author of the popular “Musique Ados” program found in classrooms in Canada and the United States.
The first place winners from grade 9/10 received full bursaries to attend a week at the Encounters with Canada/Rencontres du Canada in Ottawa during the next school year. Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia has partnered with Encounters with Canada for ten years and each year awards six bursaries at the grade 9/10 level.
The grade 11/12 first place winners are on their way to compete at the Canadian Parents for French National Concours on June 3rd for scholarships worth over $35,000. This year’s National Concours will take place in Gatineau, Québec. All grade 11/12 students who competed this weekend won an entrance scholarships to Université Sainte-Anne and Université de Moncton.
Sponsorship for this event was received from: Nova Scotia Education and Early Childhood Development, Université Sainte-Anne, Université de Moncton, Mount Saint Vincent University and Canadian Heritage. With the continuing support of our sponsors and volunteers, Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia is able to organize and present the provincial Concours d’art oratoire.