Explore - English and French - Summer Bursary Programs

GUIDELINES AND EXPLANATIONS

This document outlines the guidelines of the Explore (Summer Language Bursary) Program and the conduct expected of all participants.

1. ATTENDANCE: Attendance is taken daily for each class period, workshop and socio-cultural activity. This provides the French Centre with the number of hours of attendance that must be recorded in each participant's file.

2. MORNING CLASSES: Morning classes are compulsory. Students must obtain the permission of the Coordinator if they have to miss a class period for a valid reason. Students who are sick must inform the Coordinator of their condition as soon as possible and no later than 8:30 am on the first morning they will miss. The Coordinator or an administrator can be reached at 604-822-0801 or 604-822-0800.

3. BREAKS: Morning classes are held from 9:00 am to 10:30 am and from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. A half hour break between 10:30 am and 11:00 am allows participants to meet and to speak their second language informally. It also gives them a chance to chat with their instructors.

4. LUNCH BREAKS: The lunch break is from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm. At lunchtime, keep to your second language whenever possible.

5. AFTERNOON CLASSES/WOKSHOPS: Afternoon classes or workshops are compulsory. Students must obtain the permission of the Coordinator if they have to miss for a valid reason. Classes or workshops are held Monday to Friday from 2:00 to 3:30 or 4:00 pm. Hours and locations may vary. You should consult the schedule for details. It is therefore important that you arrive at your class/workshop location on time in case the group has moved to another part of the campus or town.

6. MEETINGS: A general meeting of all the participants in the Explore (Summer Language Bursary) Program will be held once a week at noon. This meeting provides the Coordinator, instructors, monitors and participants with a forum to exchange information, ask questions and/or promote activities organized by either the program or participants.

7. FRIDAY AFTERNOONS: You have classes or workshops on the first three Fridays of the program. The last two Friday afternoons are free.

8. COMPULSORY SOCIO-CULTURAL ACTIVITIES: There will be at least two compulsory socio-cultural activities each week at times and places to be announced. Students must obtain the permission of the Coordinator if they have to miss an activity for a valid reason. Attendance will be taken and participants will be requested to arrive on time. Socio-cultural and evening activities often provide the best chance to really get involved and speak your second language spontaneously.

9. OPTIONAL AND WEEKEND SOCIO-CULTURAL ACTIVITIES: Participation in the optional and weekend socio-cultural activities will be left to the discretion of the students. A financial contribution may be requested and, if so, will be collected before the start of the activity. Socio-cultural activities organized by individual participants are always optional and if the organizer of an activity requires a financial contribution, it is solely his or her responsibility to collect the necessary contributions before the start of that activity. The French Centre cannot subsidize activities organized by persons other than the Coordinator, the teachers, or the monitors as part of their normal duties. Optional activities are best enjoyed in small groups!

10. COURSE MATERIALS: Instructors will provide course materials. A three-ring binder and a small hole-punch may keep you organized and you may wish to bring a small dictionary. You have teachers and native speakers of the language you are learning to consult if you need help.

11. COMPUTER LABS: UBC has computer labs available to students to use on a voluntary basis. You can use some labs to listen to radio or recorded text, do exercises, prepare your homework, etc. Most students use the lab to search and share information on the Web and to communicate with other students by using email and discussion groups.

12. LIBRARIES: The Canadian University Reciprocal Borrowing Agreement allows students at participating libraries to obtain free borrowing access at UBC. Visit the following web site for a list of participating institutions: www.coppul.ca/rb/rbname.html. You can apply for a UBC card at the Circulation Desk at the Walter Koerner Library, if you present your valid library card.

If you do not belong to a participating institution, you may purchase a UBC Library Community Borrower card for $40/term. You can apply at the Circulation Desk of the Walter Koerner Library. The card is not necessary for simply browsing through books in the libraries.

13. SWIMMING POOL AND SPORT FACILITIES: Explore (Summer Language Bursary) Program participants have access to most of UBC’s sport facilities as long as they respect the procedures set out by the University for use of its facilities. A minimal fee is usually charged for use of the sport facilities.

14. THE RESIDENCE: Participants should refer to the Residence Contract regarding rules and regulations concerning the Residence. The French Centre hopes that Explore (Summer Language Bursary) Program students will behave in a reasonable manner and respect the rights of all other residents. Some of these other residents may need quiet time to prepare for exams. It is essential that their right to privacy and quiet be respected. Participants should at all times keep the noise level low (and police themselves in case of excesses). Participants should plan a good night's sleep so that they will be rested for class the following morning.

15. USE OF YOUR SECOND LANGUAGE: Your second language should be the only language you speak within the program. Participants are expected to speak their second language at all times: in classes, during breaks, during workshops and socio-cultural activities, in residence and during outings. On a daily basis Francophones are expected to speak English to Anglophones and Anglophones French to Francophones. If you do not speak with an accent, you are probably at fault! The only exception is during bilingual exchanges when you are expected to help another student learn your first language.

16. IF A PARTICIPANT BREAKS THE CONTRACT REGARDING THE USE OF HIS/HER SECOND LANGUAGE AT ALL TIMES: Sanctions will be taken according to the participant's circumstances and his/her willingness to make an effort to speak the language. The level of proficiency of the participant will be considered, as will his/her general attitude in the program. Sanctions vary from verbal warnings to expulsion from the program. Participants will not be allowed to stay in the program if they do not sincerely attempt to speak their second language.

17. ABSENCES: Each time a participant misses a class period, workshop or activity, he or she is given an absence sheet, which must be filled out and returned to his or her instructor. This sheet should always be filled out before an absence for any reason other than sickness or accident.

The Coordinator keeps a record of the reasons for which individual participants are absent. This procedure is a way to avoid penalizing participants who have had to be absent more than 3 times due to illness, and permits a better evaluation when individuals' report cards are filled out by teachers at the end of the program. Participants missing classes, workshops or activities without valid reasons may be expelled from the program.

18. LATE ARRIVAL FOR DAYTIME OR AFTERNOON CLASSES, WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES: In a program like the Explore (Summer Language Bursary) Program, punctuality is essential. Classes are often moved outside or to a more suitable location, and waiting for late participants always disrupts the normal and smooth conduct of a class or activity and is considered a nuisance by everyone. For that reason, lateness in the program is considered a lack of respect for the instructor and the other participants.

19. A GREAT SPRING SPENT LEARNING YOUR SECOND LANGUAGE AT UBC: The Explore (Summer Language Bursary) Program is an invaluable opportunity to combine two excellent experiences: the learning of your second language and culture and a spring vacation in a beautiful city. The French Centre will do its utmost to help the participants with the first part. Everyone will easily enjoy the second portion if the first part is pursued seriously and with dedication. A great spring spent speaking your second language at UBC with other students who speak that language as native speakers is a memory you will cherish for years. You will have friends you can visit in every province by the end of the program!

WELCOME TO VANCOUVER!
BIENVENUE À UBC!

LET'S SHARE OUR SUPERNATURAL PROVINCE
ET À UN PROGRAMME EXCEPTIONNEL!