Teaching in French, the Canadian way

An international network of bilingual private schools offering Canadian curricula and diplomas to children and youths in over 30 countries now has a new - and first francophone - partner: Université de Montréal.

Maple Bear Global Schools and UdeM have signed a memorandum of understanding to integrate Canadian French-language instruction into education programs in select primary and secondary schools worldwide.

"This is a marvelous opportunity not only for thousands of students to learn in French, but also for the university to extend its reach in the international sphere," said Michèle Glémaud, UdeM's executive director admissions and recruitment.

“Collaboration and cooperation are cornerstones of the Maple Bear philosophy," added Maple Bear chief executive officer Arno Krug.

"Our goal is to have beneficial partnerships and we are delighted to be working with Université de Montréal to expand our access to French Canada's language and culture, as well as Quebec's excellent science curriculum."

Launched in 2005, the Maple Bear network today includes more than 510 schools in 33 countries, with over 48,000 students in nations as diverse as Brazil, Romania, Kenya, Vietnam, South Korea, India, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.

Teacher-training, a summer school and more

Under the new agreement, Université de Montréal will train teachers in French-as-a-second-language (or a third or fourth language), develop teaching materials and provide opportunities for Maple Bear graduates to study at UdeM.

Maple Bear will also be able to engage UdeM professionals to certify that their schools meet specific academic criteria, as well as send their 15-to-17-year-old students to a summer school organized by UdeM, so that they spend time here learning and absorbing the local culture.

As well, Maple Bear holds an annual symposium for its nearly 300 Canadian trainers, and UdeM has offered to host science sessions for them.  The trainers will then travel around the globe on annual visits to impart their knowledge and skills to local Maple Bear teachers.

"It's win-win for everyone," said Pascale Lefrançois, UdeM's vice-rector of student affairs. "By combining our strengths in education, we will be fostering a new generation of young people whose horizons stand to grow geographically and linguistically."