I teach in a faculty of education in a francophone university. I think that one of the most important elements of forming future teachers for immersion and supporting current ones in their professional development is providing them with meaningful opportunities to live the language, to understand its importance, and to constantly be able to develop their French language skills. This means supporting cultural organizations in the communities where we live so that all citizens can partake and benefit.
To inspire students, teachers need to be passionate about what they're teaching, and they need to be knowledgeable. For teachers and students alike to enrich our cultural literacy, this can come from living the language through literature, local theatre, arts, sports, historic sites, festivals, and museums.
It comes from having authentic resources that reflect our collective identity. It comes from experiencing francophone cultures across Canada and the world through fantastic programs like the summer language bursary program, Canada World Youth, and Katimavik. It comes from being able to study and work in both languages throughout this country.
In supporting educational institutions like the Université de Saint-Boniface and French language cultural organizations in minority contexts, like the Festival Théâtre Jeunesse or the Maison Gabrielle-Roy, it increases our cultural competency and our social integration as Canadians.