1885
chemin de la Canardière
Québec (QC) G1J 2E5
Immersions Quebec
Help Share Quebec’s Culture by Joining Our Team!
L’epiCentre du Quartier, a charitable organization whose mission includes helping immigrants integrate into Quebec’s society and culture, is launching an exciting new program – Immersions Quebec– and we’d love to have you join us as a Volunteer Facilitator!
What is Immersions Quebec?
Unlike a traditional classroom-based language program, Immersions Quebec is designed to apply existing French and English language skills. As such, an Immersion is neither a guided tour nor a language lesson – it is a facilitated exploration of cultural sites, shopping districts and other venues during which participants use a second language to learn about and discuss Quebec’s culture, heritage and daily life.
Facilitated Experiences – not Guided Tours…
Immersion Quebec offers facilitated visits, not guided tours. During a guided tour, the guide does most of the talking. Not so with an Immersion. The mission of our Volunteer Facilitators is to induce participants to practice their language skills by having them d the talking. To facilitate this, prior to an Immersion experience participants will be asked to do a bit of homework – to review reference material concerning the sites to be visited. In doing so, they come with at least some prior knowledge. The job of our facilitators is to evoke that knowledge, call on prior experiences and encourage free discussion along the way.
Who are the Participants?
Immersion participants come from all quarters – new permanent residents, students, temporary residents, tourists, and even native Quebecois(es). For new residents and tourists that want to learn more about the city, its people and culture, there’s no better way than through an Immersion experience. For native Quebecois(es) who would like to re-experience their city and culture in a second language such as English, Immersions encourage practical language use in a familiar setting rather than a sterile, classroom-based language lesson.
Your Role as a Volunteer Facilitator.
As a Volunteer Facilitator you will be helping a group of five to seven people experience Quebec City as never before. Using your French and/or English language skills, knowledge of the City, and your personal experience, you will lead participants through neighborhoods or other areas they may not be familiar with, encourage discussion in the target language about what those areas have to offer, and last but not least, facilitate an engaging and enjoyable learning experience participants will want to continue by participating in other Immersion offerings.
Will I Receive Training?
Yes, absolutely! As a future Volunteer Facilitator, you will receive both classroom and on-the-ground training to familiarize you with the mission and function of a Facilitator. This includes an introduction to Immersion locales as well as access to reference materials and other documentation designed to help make your work both enjoyable and effective.
What Sort of Time Commitment is Involved?
After you have completed one two-hour classroom session and two on-the-ground training sessions, you will be free to determine your own schedule electronically. Ideally, once you’ve completed training, we’d like to have you facilitate four Immersions per month. If you can do more that’s great – if you want to do less, that’s fine too. It’s all up to you.
Are there Physical Requirements?
Yes. Working as a Volunteer Facilitator requires the ability to walk two kilometers. Otherwise, there is no lifting, carrying or other physical work involved.
Are there any other requirements?
Only that you enjoy working with people, can engage them in lively conversation, and finally, love showing off the rich culture and heritage of Quebec City.
How do I get started?
To get more information about Immersions Quebec and your potential role as a Facilitator, please contact: Joseph Ramunni at 418-661-7766 or by email ramunnij@gmail.com.
Thanks for your consideration. We look forward to hearing from you!