Two weeks after the arrival of the first Explore cohort at Collège Nordique, students are already fully immersed in their French-language experience in the Northwest Territories.

For the very first time in the more than 50-year history of the Explore program, a post-secondary institution in the Northwest Territories is welcoming students from across Canada. This historic milestone allows Collège Nordique to deliver a French immersion experience deeply rooted in the North, where the territory, Indigenous cultures and the local community become an integral part of the learning journey.

At Collège Nordique, this experience is built on a pedagogical approach that combines formal, non-formal and informal education. Together, these three dimensions create complementary learning opportunities, allowing students to strengthen their French while building meaningful connections with the people, cultures and landscapes that define the North.

"From the very beginning, our goal was to offer much more than a language program. We wanted to create a meaningful human experience where learning continues well beyond the classroom. This first cohort is already demonstrating the incredible potential of Explore in the Northwest Territories." — Patrick Arsenault, Executive Director, Collège Nordique

Formal education: Building confidence in French

Each morning, students attend French classes led by Collège Nordique's teaching team.

Placed in beginner or intermediate groups according to their language level, students develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills while strengthening their grammar and vocabulary. Lessons combine structured language instruction with conversations, debates, educational games and collaborative activities that encourage students to communicate confidently in French from the very beginning.

These classroom experiences provide the foundation that students continue to build on throughout the rest of the day.

"What I enjoy most about teaching is seeing the connections that grow between people. Language becomes a way of bringing people together. Day after day, you see students encouraging one another, laughing together, collaborating and gaining confidence. Those are the moments when French truly comes to life, because it becomes a way to connect with others." — Margarita Sánchez Ovando, Ph.D., French and Spanish Instructor

Non-formal education: Learning through experience

Every afternoon, learning continues through a diverse program of workshops and activities designed to help students apply their French in authentic situations.

Participants can choose from different learning pathways based on their interests. Some workshops focus on arts and self-expression, while others explore northern realities and Indigenous cultures.

Creative workshops such as debate, conversation, improvisation, photography, painting and Francophone music encourage students to use French naturally while expressing themselves, working collaboratively and building confidence in a relaxed environment. Reading circles and French-language documentary clubs spark discussions about minority Francophone communities, northern realities and the social and cultural issues that shape Canada today.

The program also places a strong emphasis on Indigenous knowledge and cultures. Students have participated in beading workshops, traditional fish-scale art, an introduction to the Tłı̨chǫ language and culinary activities featuring bannock and other local traditions. These hands-on experiences foster dialogue, cultural exchange and meaningful opportunities to practise French while learning directly from Indigenous knowledge holders.

Students also took part in a Truth and Reconciliation activity inspired by the Blanket Exercise, encouraging thoughtful discussions about the history of Indigenous Peoples, the impacts of colonization and the ongoing journey toward reconciliation in the Northwest Territories.

At Collège Nordique, these experiences are an essential part of the program's non-formal education approach. They extend classroom learning by creating authentic opportunities to use French while developing a deeper understanding of the cultures, histories and communities that make Northern Canada unique.

"We designed the program so that every activity contributes to learning. Classroom instruction provides the foundation, while experiences in the community allow students to immediately put their language skills into practice. The combination of formal, non-formal and informal education is what makes this immersion experience so meaningful." — Ernesto Pardo, Programs and Training Manager and French and Spanish Instructor

Students also explore Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories through a wide variety of sociocultural activities. During the first two weeks, they visited the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly to learn about the territory's unique system of government, explored the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre to deepen their understanding of Northern history and heritage, and visited the Yellowknife Public Library.

Outdoor experiences are equally important. Hikes around Frame Lake and Tin Can Hill, canoe excursions to the city's iconic houseboats, walks through Yellowknife's historic Old Town and recreational activities encourage students to continue speaking French while experiencing the territory firsthand.

The cohort also celebrated Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, beginning with a traditional rabaska canoe outing where students sang French call-and-response songs before joining the festivities at Folk on the Rocks. These moments provide opportunities to experience Francophone culture in a festive community setting while creating lasting memories together.