Concordia contributes to a citywide French-language learning exercise

On Saturday, December 7, representatives from Concordia were on hand for the Dictée Paul Gérin-Lajoie de la Mairesse (Dictée P.G.L.), narrated by Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante.

The event concluded the Dictée P.G.L. des municipalités, a broader initiative by the Fondation Paul Gérin-Lajoie (PGL) designed to help newcomers to Montreal improve their French.

Concordia’s Réussir en français played a key role in the citywide initiative, developing content on a diverse range of topics, including health services, urban transportation, education, and the city’s rich culture and heritage.

Hundreds of entrants from eight boroughs participated in the dictation competitions throughout the year. They explored themes related to their new city through interactive activities and dictées — learning exercises where participants listen to a passage and transcribe it, testing their spelling, grammar, and listening skills.

Concordia’s Réussir en français is a central hub for promoting the French language within the university. It was created to engage communities to live, learn and work in French.

Claudine Trahan, senior director of innovation, incubation and transformation at Concordia, presented prizes to some of the dictée competitors, who were chosen randomly, at the final event.

“Our support is based on the shared values of inclusion, education, diversity, and the promotion of the French language,” she says.

“We are extremely proud of this initiative. It not only celebrates the French language but the rich diversity that defines our community and our city. By fostering a culture of inclusion, it brings people together through language.”

Concordia will continue its collaboration with the Fondation PGL for the upcoming Dictée P.G.L. des municipalités Longueuil presented by Desjardins. The Dictée P.G.L. de la mairesse in Longueuil is scheduled for April 2025.

Find out more about Réussir en Français at Concordia.