Parlez-vous français? Join French Immersion Weekend
Mark your calendars for French Immersion Weekend at the UMA Augusta campus on November 6–7. This annual tradition brings together high school and college students, French teachers, and community members for a weekend of language, culture, and connection.
The heart of the weekend is a full day of immersion on Saturday, November 7, where participants join small, level-based workshops in a supportive, 100% French-speaking environment. Past workshops have ranged from crepe making, songs, and games to cultural sessions on Francophone Africa, Québec, and Franco-Americans in New England. This year also features a special workshop from the Alliance Française du Maine spotlighting their Festival Champlain film festival.
An optional catered dinner kicks things off on Friday, November 6, followed by a free concert open to the entire UMA community. Crocodile River will perform music and dance from across Africa in Farber Forum, Jewett Hall, from 7:45–9:00 p.m. Bring a colleague, a friend, or your family!
Especially for the UMA community:
- UMA students: French at UMA offers two scholarships for UMA students to attend. Email a short paragraph requesting a scholarship to chelsea.d.ray@maine.edu.
- Earn college credit: Complete the Saturday immersion day for credit by enrolling in FRE 202, which counts toward the French minor and French certificate at UMA.
- Faculty & staff: All intermediate and advanced French speakers are welcome, and French teachers can request a certificate of contact hours.
Who can attend
Intermediate and advanced speakers. High school students should have two years of French (or equivalent); college students, one year. Your French doesn’t need to be perfect! Teachers, handouts, and visual aids are there to support you. Heritage and native speakers are warmly welcomed.
Questions? Contact Professor Chelsea Ray at chelsea.d.ray@maine.edu. On attend avec impatience de vous voir cette année!