The Thompson Multiculture Centre is hosting weekly French and English classes for both newcomers and long-time residents. Lessons are open to all adults and are free of charge.
English lessons are currently taught at the Multiculture Centre on Saturday evenings from 5-6 p.m. However, instructor Aileen Garrett notes that this has proven to be an inconvenient time for many students, and that organizers are considering moving the class to a time during the normal work week. As of May 6, French classes are being hosted at La Voie de Nord on Friday evenings from 5-6 p.m.
Garrett, one of the program’s three English instructors, notes that there is no pre-existing language requirement for students who wish to attend; instructors will work with students in any way they can. “We have people who speak Mandarin, Portugese, Punjabi. We’ll do what we can to help you understand.” Students will be taught both reading comprehension and verbal skills: “We use newspapers,” says Garrett, “so that in addition to learning the language, you can learn about what’s going on. We also have a lot of conversation.”
Garrett herself is a teacher at R.D.Parker Collegiate by day; another instructor is certified in English as a Second Language instruction, while the third is a learned volunteer.
For more information, contact Garrett at 204-670-6032 or Sandi Knight at 204-333-9894.
