News Release Archive
EDUCATION/CULTURE--EDUCATION SERVICES TO THE U.S. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Students and educators from Louisiana will travel to Nova Scotia this summer to study French immersion for five weeks at the Universite Sainte-Anne in Church Point. Special Policy Advisor on Acadian and Francophone governance Allister Surette made the announcement today as part of a cooperative educational venture between the State of Louisiana and the Department of Education and Culture. Students from Louisiana have studied at Sainte-Anne since 1989. However, the 30 or so expected this year is the largest contingent ever. "This venture builds on Nova Scotia's international reputation as a provider of educational services and strengthens our position as a leader in the area of French language education," said Mr. Surette. "It's also a wonderful way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of summer immersion programs at Sainte-Anne." Nova Scotia is already recognized as a leader in the area of distance education, offering a range of French language programs at the university or community college level and will begin pilot programs at the secondary level in the fall. Nova Scotia currently provides French language programs to community college students in Prince Edward Island. Beginning this summer, Sainte-Anne will offer distance education courses in french language training and professional development to teachers in Louisiana. "We have a particular expertise in this area," said the president of Universite Sainte-Anne, Dr. Harley d'Entremont, Education and Culture Minister John MacEachern, executive director of Acadian Affairs Paul Gaudet and executive director of Acadian and French Language Services Dr. Charles Gaudet travelled to Louisiana this spring to follow-up discussions concerning educational ventures initiated during a similar trip in 1995. Through talks with educators and state officials, several proposals were developed including another first, the recruitment of Nova Scotia candidates for teaching positions in Louisiana. There are currently 4,000 French first-language students in Nova Scotia. By providing programs to students and educators in Louisiana, Nova Scotia will increase the number of French language students it serves, providing cost efficiencies when purchasing textbooks and educational resources. "There is a special historical and cultural bond between Nova Scotia and Louisiana," added Mr. Surette. "Providing students and teachers in Louisiana with opportunities to discover and learn the French language will strengthen this bond." -30- NOTE TO EDITORS: There is an accent aigu on the second "e" in Universite (Universite Sainte-Anne). Contact: Lisa Bugden 902-424-2795 trp May 24, 1996 - 1:35 p.m.