For over 25 years, the English concentration has been there to teach and help students develop proficiency in the international language. The program not only helps students learn English, but also improves their confidence.
Mrs. Christine Cleary has been teaching for 25 years at La Camaradière. However, she has been working with secondary one students for five years. She’s passionate about this grade because she “loves how students learn more than in the other grades.” Marily Trépanier-Potvin, one of her old students, said that “she’s the best teacher that you can have to start high school, because she’s dynamic and explains in the best way possible.”
With her, the students undertake numerous projects throughout the year to develop various capacities, such as public speaking, improving their writing, and fostering creativity in artistic projects, all while learning. The students’ favourite projects are the book reports about novels that they read and chose.
There is also a movie project that takes place throughout the year. Separated in groups, students choose a movie for their team. Then, they make the class watch it, one each month. Finally, they evaluate it, just as the other groups do. These exams are entirely made and corrected by the students.
Then, they create a sketch about natural and human disasters in teams, considering elements such as costumes and backgrounds. Students also write the entire sketch, including their lines, settings, and story.
Close to the end of the year, the English class does another sketch, but now about the story of their choice. Some teams were doing it about a movie, and others had twisted a part of their chosen movie.
The last project was a magazine, in which the students had to find a subject and gather enough information to fill it. For example, a movie and a book that explore the chosen theme, an interview with people about it, and a biography of someone related to the subject.
Each year, the English concentration goes on a trip, allowing students to practice their English in a setting outside of school. There are also numerous activities outside the institution throughout the year to enjoy with friends.