French Second Language Revitalization Program (FSLRP)

Grants to Manitoba nonprofit organizations, schools or school divisions, and professional associations for projects that enhance French language instruction. Funding is available to the educational community for a range of projects that align with the educational areas listed below and the goals of the FSLRP.

Goals of FSLRP
Provide financial support for projects that ultimately aim to:

1. Ensure the full implementation of the French Immersion Program and the successful delivery of French courses (English Program)
2. Enhance linguistic and cultural identity of the students so that they can: communicate with confidence and fluency in French in academic, cultural and social contexts; increase their desire to continue their studies in French and choose to use that language throughout their life

The strategic framework chosen by the Bureau de l'Éducation française to achieve the goals of the FSLRP is based on the following four educational areas:

Create a school setting appropriate for learning French – Ensure material and human resources are in place to support French language learning.

-French educational resources, library books
-Qualified French support staff in the school
-French divisional coordinator
-French signage in the school
-Inclusion and appropriate support for all students
-New French Immersion Program, new French courses (English Program)

Validate students’ linguistic and educational experience – Provide multiple opportunities for students to develop and strengthen their French language skills through a variety of social, academic and cultural contexts thus validating their linguistic experience. Develop students' confidence in the use of the French language; provide them with opportunities to assess their language skills and to celebrate successes.

-Academic and/or cultural field trips (include pre- and post- activities to maximize impact of language experience)
-Interactions with other Francophone or Francophile students
-Group of theatre, improvisation, book club, school radio, debate clubs
-Volunteering at school or in the community

Support educational staff – Support the professional development of teachers to ensure quality French instruction and an understanding of the philosophy and methodology of second language learning in order to develop and strengthen student learning.

-Professional learning community
-Mentorship
-French courses
-French professional development in all subject matters
-Professional development on second-language teaching methodology
-Networking and planning opportunities

Recruit and retain students in the French Immersion Program and in the French courses (English Program) – Heighten community awareness regarding the benefits of learning French to help encourage and maintain student enrollment. Encourage students to continue their studies in French and highlight how bilingualism is a viable option for their life, personal growth, future, etc.

-Information sessions or open house events for parents
-Information sessions or discussion forums on the relevance of French in their lives. Discussion with students regarding post-secondary studies, career opportunities, various French exchange programs, French cultural activities, etc.
-Visibility of the French Immersion Program on the school's or school division’s website and in the school newsletters
-Participation of families in the school’s or school division’s French cultural activities
-Appropriate support for students with learning difficulties
-Outreach to students from feeder schools

Applications received will be prioritized for funding based on their correlation with the data of the French Language Education Review. Nonprofit organizations, professional associations of educators, and independent schools will need to consult online the provincial profile and reports of the French Language Education Review in order to know more about the successes, challenges and goals of the educational community regarding French language education in Manitoba.

Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

1. Relevance of the project to the data found in the French Language Education Review.
-Is there a correlation between the project and the initiatives identified by schools or school divisions in their questionnaire of the French Language Education Review?
-Is there a correlation between the project and the data found in the French Language Education Review?

2. Relevance of the project to the goals and educational areas of the FSLRP:
-Does the project contribute towards reaching the ultimate goals of the PRFLS?
-Do the project objectives correspond with one or more educational areas of the FSLRP?
-Do the activities proposed in the project description help achieve the project objectives?

3. Project benefits for the clientele
-Will the project have an effective impact on the target audience?

4. Performance targets and evaluation measures
-Do the identified performance targets correspond with the project objectives?
-Will the evaluation tool properly evaluate the performance targets?

5. Finance
-Is there an adequate cost/benefit ratio between the budget and the value of the planned activities?

Eligible expenditures include, but are not limited to:
-The purchase of French signage
-The purchase of educational resources and library books
-A percentage of the teacher’s salary for the first year of a new French course (English Program) or a school’s new French Immersion Program
-The purchase of educational resources for a new French course (English Program) or a new French Immersion Program
-A percentage of a French divisional coordinator’s salary
-Transportation and accommodation costs of individuals providing educational activities
-Transportation costs so that students can participate in French cultural activities
-The purchase of project materials, room and equipment rental
-Substitute costs for teachers participating in professional development sessions
-Fees for professional services