By Jayme Marteniuk – Staff Writer

In early October of 2023, the provincial government proposed to increase tuition fees for non-Quebec students. Initially set to nearly double from approximately $9,000 to $17,000, these proposed increases elicited significant concern among English university communities. However, after extensive negotiations, community support and a recognition of the unique circumstances at Bishop’s University, the Lennoxville institution was exempted. Consequently, there will be no tuition increase for Canadian non-Quebec residents wanting to pursue their studies at Bishop’s. Additionally, Bishop’s will not face financial penalties if it cannot meet the government’s requirement that 80 per cent of non-Quebec students reach intermediate oral fluency by the end of their undergraduate studies.

At the heart of Bishop’s initiatives lies a commitment to creating a diverse web of opportunities for students to engage with the French language, Quebec society and culture. In an interview with The Campus, Principal and Vice-Chancellor Sébastien Lebel-Grenier, highlighted that although language proficiency targets have been established by the government, “we view this as an opportunity rather than an obligation.” He explains that Bishop’s continues to be firm in its commitment to offering valuable language learning experiences, regardless of the government’s goal of having 80 per cent of students achieve a level five in oral proficiency. Bishop’s is dedicated to expanding the variety of French language learning it offers students because it understands the value of diversity of language, he describes.

Bishop’s has established a French language committee to develop additional language offerings and improve existing ones to meet the government’s objectives, Lebel-Grenier explained. With the support of provincial government funding, the university intends to put into effect a comprehensive set of measures meant to support the goals of the French department and improve French learning at Bishop’s.

The chair of Bishop’s Études françaises et québécoises department, Prof. Sarah Théberge, outlined the wide range of French language offerings available to students. From translation and grammar classes to courses tailored to various disciplines, Bishop’s aims to make French learning accessible and enjoyable for all students, regardless of their language background. She expressed that “we want French to be an addition to students’ competencies”.

In addition to its traditional language programs, Théberge explains that Bishop’s plans to introduce new courses centred around Quebec French, French micro-certificates embedded within undergraduate studies and engaging contests and activities to promote French language participation.

Additionally, Bishop’s aims to equip students for success in a workforce that is becoming more and more interconnected while acknowledging the professional value of French proficiency or any other language proficiency in general, Théberge describes. With programs related to a variety of professions, such as hospitality, information technology, arts and culture, and healthcare, Théberge explains that Bishop’s aims to equip students with the language and cultural skills necessary for success in their careers and overall in life.

Nearly 30 per cent of Bishop’s University’s student body is from outside of Quebec, and the institution takes pride in its diverse and inclusive community. Its small campus of 2,900 students is home to a diverse range of languages and cultures, which together form the foundation of its identity. 

Bishop’s is prepared to improve its French language offerings because it recognizes the value of building stronger relationships with students who speak the language while encouraging students who lack proficiency in it to explore the varied possibilities of it, Lebel-Grenier expressed.

In conclusion, although the university encourages students to take advantage of the French language opportunities on and off campus, it understands that these programs should support students’ academic endeavours rather than interfere with them. As part of its continuous support to prepare students for the real world, Bishop’s is growing its French language opportunities to encourage intercultural communication.