OLBI Newsletter - June 2020

Convocation 2020: a digital experience

As we live through this unprecedented time, burdened by uncertainty and fear of the unknown, the determination and creativity of our graduates inspires us and brings us hope. The resilience and agility they have displayed over the past few months testify to the strength, ingenuity, and readiness of their generation. The OLBI congratulates all its graduates; they have made us proud and have fully earned our admiration.

On Thursday, June 18, the University held an online ceremony to highlight this achievement in the face of difficult circumstances and to celebrate this important milestone, which signals the end of a university journey and opens the door to a world of new possibilities. Watch the Faculty of Arts Convocation Ceremony.

The world is their oyster! Here are the inspiring journeys of two OLBI graduates.

Combining the study of a second language and science

Valérie Binder, who earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts by majoring in French as a second language and minoring in biology, customized her degree program. As someone who loves both the outdoors and French language and culture, she found a way to study them both in perfect harmony at the University of Ottawa. On June 18, as she received her degree, she was overjoyed and eager to start a bright future that combines her two passions. Get to know Valérie Binder and prepare to be impressed

Convocation 2020: reaching for new heights

It wasn’t until her fourth year of the second-language teaching program that Michelle Chin caught the research bug. She discovered this new interest when she presented a research project as part of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) and in working with OLBI professors. Learn more about Michelle Chin’s academic experience and her journey to new heights.

Get ready for a digital back-to-school by attending a distance education workshop

Whether the pedagogy focuses on student needs or on an interactive and adaptable program, the OLBI is proud to be continually innovating and redefining language teaching. As the fall term approaches, the OLBI aims to assist teachers and their students in their transition to distance education. To do so, the OLBI will hold workshops for teachers who want to learn more about the tools and best practices used in distance education to plan courses, engage with students, and evaluate performance.

Virtual Meetings to welcome new students

A back-to-school period fraught with uncertainty is at our doorsteps. In July, an OLBI initiative to engage students will be launched to welcome new students and offer them additional support, while also welcoming back returning students who enrol in one of the OLBI’s courses or programs.

Through informal online sessions, students will learn more about the OLBI, meet professors, and connect with their peers.

Over the summer, the OLBI will offer open sessions for students enrolled in the immersion, DLS, and FLS or ELS minor/major programs. These weekly sessions will also be open to graduate students who feel they need support.

An article by Catherine Levasseur on Francophone identities

Catherine Levasseur, an assistant professor at the OLBI, has published an article entitled Being multilingual and Francophone: identity representations and positioning of francization students in Vancouver. It appears in Francosphère, on online publication hosted by l’Association canadienne d’éducation de langue française (ACELF), the Canadian association for French-language education. In the article, Professor Levasseur, who is passionate about sociolinguistics, examines Francophone identities, the roles they play, and their importance in educational settings.