Two Vanier College French Teachers receive Le Prix de la ministre

Vanier College is proud to announce that two Vanier teachers, Rachel Jobin and Josée Tamiozzo, have received the Prix de la ministre de l’Enseignement supérieur given to them at a gala event held in Quebec City on September 19, 2018. The Prix de la ministre highlight the creativity and commitment of people who, within colleges and universities, create and put into practice new teaching strategies to better guide students towards academic success.

Rachel Jobin and Josée Tamiozzo received the Prix Enseignement collégial, in the “volumes” category within the didactic material sector, for the conception of Voix croisées, a French second-language manual, published by Chenelière. The didactic materials sector awards college and university authors of didactic materials. The prize underlines the quality of educational material produced in French. These prizes are accompanied by a $5000 bursary or a $1500 bursary in the case of an honorable mention.

Voix croisées uses a different approach to teaching French as a second language. It invites its readers to explore Quebec culture in all its diversity. Written for students registered in French Second Language 100 and 101 courses, this study manual aims to reinforce linguistic knowledge while fostering the development of a feeling of belonging to Quebec, and offering an opportunity to reflect on the benefits of being open to the other. The book also aims to develop critical thinking and to support the shaping of committed citizens. Voix croisées allows the users to discover contemporary Quebec authors and artists of diverse origins, such as Dany Laferrière, Kim Thúy, Monique Proulx or Samian. The selected excerpts from novels, plays, poetry, songs and comedic monologues, offer a portrait of present-day culture. Various exercises and video and audio excerpts accompany every chapter.

Awards in the Didactic materials sector recognize the competence of pedagogues who invest themselves in the demanding challenge of creating effective, adapted and innovative didactic products in French. The prix de la Ministre are given to works that stand out by the excellence of the pedagogical strategy that is proposed, the general quality and rigour of the work, and the importance of its effects on teaching and learning.

Academic Dean, Annie-Claude Banville, is thrilled with this recognition, “Congratulations to Rachel and Josée! Here is another example of the commitment of our teachers and Vanier College’s expertise in a teaching approach that places value on cultural diversity. We are proud of our dedication and our contribution to college teaching.”