MEES permanently authorizes Vanier Bilingual Science and Social Science programs 

25 mars 2019

Cet article de nos archives n'a pas été traduit en français.

Vanier College is pleased to announce that the Science and Social Science DCS programs in English and French given in partnership with Cégep de Saint-Laurent have now received permanent authorization from the Quebec Ministry of Education (Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur – MEES).

In recognizing the two programs, Jean François Roberge, Minister of Education, congratulated Vanier and Cégep de Saint Laurent for creating these two innovative programs that offer students the opportunity to master a second language, which helps them excel in their university studies and in the job market.

The two bilingual programs started on an experimental basis in 2013. Vanier students enrolled in either of the two bilingual programs take some of their courses in French at Cégep de Saint-Laurent, located next door to Vanier on Sainte-Croix Avenue, and others in English at Vanier College. These programs provide students with an opportunity to experience studying French in the context of a francophone institution. Upon completion of this program, students write the English Exit Exam, and have the choice to write the French Exit Exam as well.

“The bilingual programs offer several advantages for students so I am extremely pleased that the Ministry of Education has officially recognized them. In addition to allowing students to acquire a mastery of both French and English at a very high level of proficiency they also allow students to increase their intercultural awareness by attending classes in two different linguistic and cultural contexts while deepening their knowledge of the common values of Québec society,” said Vanier College’s Academic Dean Annie-Claude Banville.

Other advantages of the programs include:

  • Students obtain official recognition of proficiency in both languages.

  • Students are prepared to attend university in both French and English.

  • Students definitely increase and improve their employability skills.

Michael Persico is a Science student who chose to study at Vanier College because it offered the bilingual science program. He said the bilingual program lived up to all his expectations and he was delighted with the results including passing his French exit exam before the end of his final year.

“It was an amazing experience. Being able to communicate well in French is a definite asset if not an absolute must to work in Quebec. I wanted to be fluent in both languages and be able to fully participate in life in Quebec. Coming into the program I was afraid my French might not be as strong as needed but everything worked out very well,” Michael said.