Over three activity-filled days, Nanaimo District Secondary students left Vancouver Island’s mild winter to explore the snowy streets of Québec City
As she has for years, teacher and trip organizer Lisa Brockley coordinated the biannual trip for 27 French immersion students to experience francophone language and culture.
The group left in early February, and throughout the trip, students were expected to speak only French, even at the airport.
“Learning about a language and being in the language are two completely different experiences,” said Brockley. “You can be told about it; you can believe it. But until you’re there, it’s completely different.”
Guided by a French-speaking tour guide, students visited restaurants, shops, and historical sites using only French. One Grade 8 student made it her goal not to speak English at all and celebrated each successful interaction when locals didn’t switch to English.
Brockley noted the experience proved transformative for some students. One student, previously uncertain about staying in French Immersion, returned home more confident and committed to the program.
Students watched canoe races on the St. Lawrence River, went tubing at Village Vacances Valcartier, celebrated winter at Carnaval de Québec, and learned about Wendat Indigenous culture at Wendake Village. For Brockley, a highlight was visiting the Cabane à sucre.
Students learned how maple syrup is made before sitting down to a traditional meal filled with music, spoon-playing, and lively folk dancing.
“The joy on their faces during the dancing was incredible,” she said. “Even our bus driver joined in.”
Planning for this year’s trip began last spring. The school partnered with tour company Palmétour, whose long-standing relationship with the program proved invaluable.
They worked with her to customize the itinerary based on the students’ needs. And in the past, Brockley said unanticipated weather disruptions required last-minute flight changes, which they accommodated tremendously.
“In my experience, even if you might get a slightly cheaper option elsewhere, going with a known company that you’ve worked with before is just such an advantage because you know how it’s going to work. You know that they have great guides that are going to take good care of you when you’re over there … As much as sometimes we try to do it all on our own, it’s definitely a huge advantage to go with a company that knows what they’re doing.”
Planning went smoothly, from making sure students were comfortable with their roommates to updating medical and safety documents. However, meeting students’ dietary needs at restaurants remained a challenge.
“Our tour guide mentioned that there are a lot of restaurants and other service industries that just don’t have enough people working there. One server working for a group of 30 had its own set of challenges,” Brockley said.
Overall, the trip proved that language is lived.
Students returned with stronger language skills and a greater understanding of culture. The trip was more than mere sightseeing; it gave students confidence to use French in real situations and deepened their understanding of Canada’s francophone communities.
Experiences that provide full immersion do more than support the curriculum. They make it richer.