COMMUNICATION IS KEY AT FRENCH PUBLIC SPEAKING CONTEST
Concours d’art oratoire speaks to students’s love of speaking French
Halifax: The Concours d’art oratoire is a competition hosted each spring by Canadian Parents for French (CPF). The students present first at their school level, and then may be selected to compete at the provincial, and national levels.
Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia (CPF Nova Scotia) held their 35th provincial Concours d’art oratoire (French public speaking contest) on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at Mount Saint Vincent University. Students, parents and volunteers were treated to a beautiful sunny day for the event. Students in grades 5-12 participated with a variety of topics ranging from child soldiers to sign language. Students from every school board in the province, including the Conseil scolaire Acadien provincial (CSAP) and the Canadian Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), participated in the event.
Over one hundred students represented every French program in the province from core French to immersion to French first language. The categories are designed to provide participants with the chance to test themselves against those with similar French experience and enrichment. Students are also required to respond to questions posed by the judging panel regarding their speech topics.
Over 200 people were at the event to cheer on their friends and family. Entertainment after the presentations was Mary Beth Carty. High-energy one-woman band Mary Beth Carty performs humourous, romantic party songs on accordion and stomping board, taking her audience on a musical journey from Eastern Europe to Cape Breton Island. Also a percussionist on musical bones, there is much variety in Mary Beth’slive show. She is a captivating story-teller and heartfelt performer who transcends musical borders. Mary Beth is an ECMA 2018 nominee.
The first place winners from grade 9/10 received full bursaries to attend a week at the Encounters with Canada/Rencontres du Canada in Ottawa during the next school year. Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia has partnered with Encounters with Canada for ten years and each year awards six bursaries at the grade 9/10 level.
The grade 11/12 first place winners are on their way to compete at the Canadian Parents for French National Concours on June 2 for scholarships worth over $35,000. This year’s National Concours will take place in Gatineau, Québec. All grade 11/12 students who competed this weekend were awarded entrance scholarships to Université Sainte-Anne and
Félicitations à tous nos lauréats !
2018 CONCOURS MEDALLISTS_web version
Photo credit: Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia
Gr 11/12 Concours d’art oratoire Awards
Back row: Zeeshan Asim (Sydney Academy), Kate DesRoches (Citadel High School) , Syed Talha (Halifax Grammar School), Olivier Blais (École du Sommet), and Sherry Eskander (Halifax West High School)
Front row: Chantal Peng (Horton High School), Makayla Foster (West Kings District High School), Lauren Gray (Halifax West High School), Fiona MacLellan (Riverview Rural High School) and Dâphnée Auclair (École Acadienne de Pomquet)
Sponsorship for this event was received from: Nova Scotia Education and Early Childhood Development, Université Sainte-Anne, Université de Moncton, Mount Saint Vincent University and Canadian Heritage. With the continuing support of our sponsors and volunteers, Canadian Parents for French, Nova Scotia is able to organize and present the provincial Concours d’art oratoire.