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Prenez connaissance des directives de l'Université Sainte-Anne en matière de prévention de la COVID-19.

By living the language, you will love the language!
Université Sainte-Anne specializes in bringing French immersion students to the next level.

Immersion is the best way to learn French!

There are so many reasons why Université Sainte-Anne is reputed for having the best French Immersion program in Canada!

Since starting our immersion program in 1972, we've honed an expertise in teaching French as a Second Language, from our philosophy of learning-by-living, to the quality of our teaching.

By eating, sleeping, studying, working and playing in French, 24 hours a day, you will gain considerable proficiency and confidence in Canada's other official language.

Map of Atlantic Canada

"Learning French opens doors to a whole new world. I'm not the same person I was when I arrived at Sainte-Anne!"

The Sessions

Students around campfire

Due to the current situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Université Sainte-Anne has decided to cancel the Spring 2020 French Immersion Explore session. The Explore bursaries that we should have received for the spring session will be carried over to the summer session. That said, as the situation continues to evolve, it is possible that the summer session will also be cancelled.

Please contact Luc Tardif by email () or by telephone (902-769-8498) for any questions.

5-week Spring Session (May 17 to June 20, 2020)

University students and adults who wish to perfect their French can benefit from our 5-week French immersion session in the spring. The schedule is very similar to the summer session. Students must be at least 19 years old to enroll.

Christine McElreavy
Christine McElreavy attended the 2016 summer session. Read her story here.

Due to the current situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Université Sainte-Anne has decided to cancel the Summer 2020 French Immersion session.

Please contact Luc Tardif by email () or by telephone (902-769-8498) for any questions.

5-week Summer Session (July 5 to August 8, 2020)

Students from across Canada, the United States and overseas come to study and have fun during our summer session. A well-trained, professional staff of teachers and counselors ensure a pleasant learning experience.

Activities range from theme nights, excursions and whale-watching expeditions to canoeing and golf - all in French, of course. Students attend two formal classes (6 university credits) in the morning, have a workshop in the afternoon, and activities are planned for the remainder of the day and the weekend. There is no time for boredom and fun is guaranteed! Students must be at least 15 years old to enroll. Many adults participate, too, and are housed in separate residences.

Kayla Sheppard attended the 2016 session for teachers. Watch the video to learn more!

Due to the current situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Université Sainte-Anne has decided to cancel the Summer 2020 French Immersion session.

Please contact Luc Tardif by email () or by telephone (902-769-8498) for any questions.

We are currently offering online French as a Second Language courses to Nova Scotia teachers in partnership with the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and Canadian Heritage.

4-week Session for Teachers (July 5 to August 1, 2020)

This program is specifically designed for teachers who wish to hone their French, renew their skills as instructors, enrich their supply of pedagogical activities, and immerse themselves in a dynamic French atmosphere.

Students participate in an intensive 4-week period of courses. They are led by a team specifically trained in the latest approaches in the instruction of French. Please check with your provincial government for information about bursaries that may be available.

Two smiling students

Due to the current situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Université Sainte-Anne has decided to cancel the Summer 2020 French Immersion session.

Please contact Luc Tardif by email () or by telephone (902-769-8498) for any questions.

1-week Program (August 1 to August 8, 2020)

This mini-session is offered on a first-come, first-serve, limited-enrolment basis. Students must be at least 10 years old to attend.

"You make tremendous progress through osmosis. French was in the air!"

A day at Sainte-Anne

Mornings

Students attend two formal classes.

Afternoons

Students participate in mandatory workshops. These include outdoor activities, souvenir album, dance, video, blog, music, etc.

Following the workshops, sports are organized for each residence.

Evenings

Social activities include bands performing on campus, casino night, open-mic night, "café-théâtre", and even our own versions of popular game shows!

Weekends

Look forward to trips to the beach, whale watching, canoeing, trekking, and more!

Activities vary based on weather conditions.

"I was having so much fun, I didn't even realize how much French I was learning!"

The EXPLORE bursary is available to Canadian citizens and landed immigrants who are in Grade 11 or 12 or enrolled as full-time post-secondary students in the current academic year.

The program offers bursaries to students wishing to improve their knowledge of French. It covers all tuition fees, room, meals and socio-cultural activities for a 5-week program.

Travel expenses and the $275 enrolment fee are not covered by the bursary and must be paid by students.

Application forms and instructions are available at the EXPLORE website.

Explore Logo

"I'll never forget my stay at the beautiful Saint Mary's Bay. Vive le français!"

Accommodations

All students live in residence on campus and eat at the university's cafeteria. A room will be reserved for you in residence upon receipt of your application and deposit. If you wish to arrive a day earlier than specified, you must let us know so we can ensure that your room is ready. Students are placed in residence according to their age.

The Placement Test

The placement test is a French-language equivalency evaluation given on the first Monday of every session. Don't worry about studying! The results of the test allow us to place you into one of our 8 program levels (from Beginner to Very Advanced), according to your skill.

Certificate

Students who successfully complete the 5-week spring or summer sessions will receive a certificate indicating their completed level of competency in French, and a transcript.

Credits

Students may request that credits for successfully-completed courses be transferred to other universities or high schools. Note: acceptance of credit transfers depends on the receiving institution.

The French-Only Rule

At the official opening of the session, you are asked to sign a pledge agreeing to speak French at all times during the program. As soon as the pledge is signed, the use of French is mandatory at all times. If a student is caught speaking English they will receive a warning. The third warning results in expulsion from the program.

How much does the program cost?

The fees for the 2021 sessions will be available soon.

How to Apply

1 Register Online
(Payment by credit card only)  OR  Download the form as a PDF
(Payment by money order)
2

Send the $275 enrolment fee ($50 for the 1-week session) with your registration. Receipt of the deposit will automatically reserve a place for you in the program.
  • We accept VISA or MasterCard; cheque or money orders should be made payable to Université Sainte-Anne.
  • If you withdraw at least four weeks before the start of the 4-week or 5-week sessions, $225 of the $275 regsitration fee will be reimbursed to you.
  • Students who leave while the session is in progress will lose the $275 enrolment fee and will be charged for an extra seven days after their date of departure.
  • Applications are processed on a first-received, first-admitted basis. Last-minute applications are considered in the event of cancellations.

Questions?

Email us:
Call us: 902-769-2114, ext. 7200
(toll free within Canada and the U.S. at 1 888-338-8337)