The French Connection - Immersion in Quebec

When I enrolled at the University of Alberta, I decided I would chose French as my minor. That means a student would have to take six half courses or three full courses of French. I had never heard or studied French before, but since it is also popularly spoken in Canada, especially in Quebec and Ontario, it would give me bonus points if I were to apply for permanent stay in Canada after my studies.

I remember during my first lesson, I was almost in tears. I could not hear the French on tape. The language seemed to be spoken so rapidly that I could not make out the sounds! Gradually as I persevered, the situation got better as I learnt to pronounce the words. I applied to join the Students' Immersion Program in Quebec but was rejected as I was a foreign student. As the program was fully sponsored by the government, all participants had to be Canadian permanent residents or citizens. The second year, I applied again, and to my surprise, I was selected. I kept asking Professor Monod, if it was true I was selected as I was a foreign student. He replied, "Le gouvernement ne demandez pas question; moi aussi". (The government does not ask questions; me neither".) Later I found out that Professor Monod was a volunteer counsellor for the Swiss Embassy, and had met many Asians. He purposely closed one eye to admit an Aisan into the progam as he felt I would be a good influence on the students with our ethics and values.

The day before my departure, I spent the whole night counselling a friend who was suicidal. The next morning I left for the train station. It would take a two and a half days' journey from Edmonton to Montreal. I was so exhausted that I hibernated like a polar bear.... slept soundly throughout the journey without even bothering to eat! When Professor Monod briefed us in the train, I just could not open my eyes! What a wonderful and understanding professor.

After a restful sleep, I became energised and to the students' surprise, I was lively and talkative! I was excited by everything I saw. The rest of the Canadian students realised that I was not so boring and sleepy after all.

We had to speak French all the time. If we were to speak any word in English, we had to confess and pay a fine of 10 cents per word! I think I was the weakest in French in my class as most of my classmates had the advantage of having studied French in high school. I brought my dictionary with me everywhere... even to the pubs and shopping centres because I did not want to pay 10 cents for every English word I used! The French family I stayed with for the 4 weeks program in Chicoutimi was just wonderful. Mrs. Perot was a great cook. Every morning she would put a platter of cheese and fruits on the breakfast table. There were cheese of all types of colours... cream, yellow, orange, pink, blue.... gosh! I would not touch any of them much to Mrs. Perot's consternation. I would only nibble on the fruits and bread. Mrs. Perot made the nicest desserts... her cakes were simply delicious!

We were asked to write one page of creative writing. But I had confused one with ten and wrote the professor a ten page short story! My pronounciation was terrible, often drawing laughter from the class, but I realised I had be to be brazen if I wanted to improve. After one month,
I noticed a marked improvement in both spoken and written French.

French is such a beautiful language. It would be good if you could get a French daughter or son-in-law because the word for mother in law is "ma belle -mere" meaning my beautiful mother! "Mon beau- pere" is father in law but translated literally is my "handsome father". Hence even when you are 90 years old and balding, you are still the handsome father. What a lovely description!

When learning a foreign language, do not be afraid to make mistakes. Learn to laugh as the situation can be sometimes quite hilarious! Let's make our lives more interesting and colorful by speaking an extra language or two... the fastest way to bridge any racial barrier!

Gan Chau