24 ways to welcome French into your daily life

Francophonie
A bird's-eye view of a group of students walking in CRX
A short list of fun activities to celebrate and embrace French language and culture in all its forms.

March is Mois de la francophonie–the perfect opportunity to celebrate our rich and dynamic francophone community!

No matter if you're a Francophone, a Francophile or if you’re completely new to the French language, take advantage of the next few weeks to practice your French skills and work them into your daily routine. We’ve gathered some fun activities to inspire you. Download the Bingo grid (PDF or PNG) or or use the following list, to try and complete as many challenges as possible. To really put yourself to the test, consider sharing your progress on social media and don’t forget to tag @uOttawa!

  1. Attend a uOttawa Mois de la francophonie event
  2. Speak French with your colleagues
  3. Speak French with a friend
  4. Greet someone with "Bonjour!"
  5. Discover a francophone music artist 
  6. Order your coffee "Un café s’il vous plaît!"
  7. Learn a new word
  8. Use that new word in a sentence
  9. Watch a movie in French (you're allowed to enable subtitles)
  10. Read a magazine article
  11. Read a book (even if it’s a children’s book)
  12. Listen to or read the news 
  13. Write a social media post 
  14. Make a new francophone friend
  15. Find yourself a favourite saying 
  16. Look-up the translation of 10 words
  17. Set your phone interface in French
  18. Cook a meal following French instructions 
  19. Watch a YouTube video 
  20. Switch uOttawa Website to French
  21. Visit the Carrefour francophone on campus
  22. Listen to a stand-up comedian from la francophonie
  23. Write someone a note 
  24. Don't take yourself too seriously 

Remember to have fun! When learning a new language and stepping out of your comfort zone, it’s normal to make a few small mistakes. No one will hold it against you. Keep an open mind, put your ego aside and welcome the French language with open arms. 

Activities will take place all over campus during the month of March — concerts, exhibitions, talks, films and more! See the full schedule of events. 

Join us in celebrating French language and culture in all its forms!