"Café de Paris" French Conversation Workshops for Healthcare and Social Services Professionals
French workshops for NWT healthcare and social services professionals to develop their French speaking and comprehension skills.
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Training to prepare volunteers for tutoring
On Saturday, October 17, Collège Nordique francophone hosted a training session focused on tutoring and supporting adult learners, organized in partnership with the NWT Literacy Council.
A total of 17 people took part in the day, including nine volunteer tutors. Staff members from the NWT Literacy Council and Collège Nordique francophone were also in attendance, along with Michael Brophy, who provided French-English interpretation throughout the training.
The day was designed to prepare volunteers to support adults in their learning and provide them with practical tools to create welcoming, inclusive and safe learning environments.
Preparing to support adults with diverse realities
Tutoring goes far beyond providing support in a particular subject or helping someone develop a specific skill. Learners can have very different backgrounds, goals and needs. The training therefore emphasized building strong relationships and adapting approaches to the individual learner.
Volunteers worked on communication and active listening, building trust and recognizing the social, economic and cognitive factors that can influence learning. The training also encouraged them to reflect on the different realities experienced by adults who access the Literacy Outreach Centre and how these realities can shape their learning experience.
Part of the day also focused on inclusive and culturally responsive practices. The goal was to better understand how to create a space where everyone can feel welcomed, respected and supported in reaching their goals.
Practical tools for tutoring
The training placed a strong emphasis on practical application. Through discussions, exercises and scenarios, volunteers had the opportunity to consider different situations they may encounter when supporting adult learners.
Preventing and managing challenging situations was among the topics covered. Participants explored strategies for recognizing early warning signs before a situation escalates, responding calmly, de-escalating conflict and maintaining a safe learning environment.
The training also addressed the importance of establishing healthy professional boundaries. Volunteers developed tools to better define their role, recognize situations that require additional support and understand how to respond when a learner’s needs extend beyond the scope of tutoring.
Drawing on community resources
Knowing how to support someone also means knowing where to turn for help. Participants therefore became more familiar with community and organizational resources available to support adults who encounter barriers to learning.
This knowledge allows tutors to contribute to a broader network of support around learners and connect them with appropriate resources when needed.
A partnership supporting literacy in the NWT
The training is part of the partnership between Collège Nordique francophone and the NWT Literacy Council through the Literacy Outreach Centre, a bilingual space located at the Collège in Yellowknife.
The Centre offers services in French and English to support learning and skills development. Its activities include one-on-one tutoring, literacy support, digital and financial literacy, conversation cafés, as well as language learning and community integration programs.
Services are available to a diverse range of people looking to develop their skills or become more independent, including newcomers, Indigenous people, seniors, adults in vulnerable situations and families.
Volunteer tutoring directly contributes to this mission. Volunteers support adults in their learning, helping them develop their skills, build confidence and make progress toward their personal goals. No previous teaching experience is required, and volunteers receive training and ongoing support.
The October 17 training was therefore an important step in preparing these volunteers for their new role. With nine people now trained, including four French-speaking and five English-speaking volunteers, the Centre can count on a better-equipped team to provide supportive, safe and responsive learning experiences tailored to the realities of adult learners.
Interested in making a difference in someone’s learning journey? The Literacy Outreach Centre is always looking for people who want to share their time, knowledge and skills. Whether you speak French or English, becoming a volunteer tutor is a concrete way to support adult learners in our community. No teaching experience is required, and training and ongoing support are provided.
Learn more about the Centre and how you can get involved.
Publié le 27 octobre 2026