The Explore Program to Be Offered for the First Time in the Northwest Territories

In the summer of 2026, Collège Nordique will welcome the Explore program to the Northwest Territories for the very first time. Offered across Canada for several decades, this well-established language immersion program allows adults to strengthen their French or English skills while taking part in a meaningful human and cultural experience.

The arrival of Explore in Yellowknife marks an important milestone for Northern Francophonie. It also opens the door to active participation from the local community, particularly through the involvement of host families and host individuals, who play a central role in the immersion experience.

A Nationally Recognized Language Immersion Experience

The Explore program is an intensive five-week experience supported by the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC). It is open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents aged 19 and over who have completed at least one term of studies during the current academic year.

During their stay, participants take part in dynamic language classes and a wide range of cultural, community, and outdoor activities designed to support language learning in real-life contexts. Immersion takes place both inside and outside the classroom, through everyday interactions.

At Collège Nordique, the Explore program will be offered in French, in person, over a five-week period, from June 15 to July 17, 2026, in Yellowknife.

A First Northern Edition Rooted in the Territory

For this inaugural edition in the Northwest Territories, the Explore program will take place in a unique Northern environment that is conducive to learning and exploration. Group sizes will be intentionally kept small, with fewer than 10 learners per group, to ensure personalized support tailored to each participant’s needs, following a placement test.

The program will highlight Northern cultural, linguistic, and natural realities through activities such as:

• workshops related to Indigenous and Northern cultures;
• outdoor activities in the boreal forest and surrounding territory;
• community outings and participation in local cultural events.

This approach aims to provide a fully immersive experience, where language learning is embedded in a rich social, human, and territorial context.

Host Families and Host Individuals at the Heart of the Explore Experience

Accommodation is a key component of the Explore program. Participants stay with a host family or host individual, allowing them to practise French on a daily basis and fully integrate into community life.

Hosting a participant is a meaningful way to support French-language learning while taking part in a deeply enriching human experience. For many host families across the country, the experience becomes a memorable moment that often leads to lasting connections.

An Information Session for Interested Families and Individuals

Families and individuals interested in learning more about hosting conditions are invited to attend an information session organized by Collège Nordique on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., available in person and online.

This session will provide an overview of how the program works, expectations related to hosting, and the support offered to host families and host individuals throughout the stay. A question-and-answer period will allow participants to ask all their questions.

A Collective Project for Northern Francophonie

The implementation of the Explore program in the Northwest Territories aligns with Collège Nordique’s mission to support the vitality of Francophonie and to offer educational experiences rooted in Northern realities. Made possible through financial support from the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC), this first edition in the NWT also relies on strong engagement from the local community.

By becoming a host family or host individual, community members play an active role in a national educational initiative while helping to showcase Yellowknife and Northern Canada to participants from across the country.