- About
- News & Events
- Student Life
- DELF-DALF Exams
- Programs in French
- For Inservice Teachers K-12
Happy International Francophonie Day
Today, we celebrate not only the global francophone communities, but also the remarkable initiatives and individuals at SFU who make a lasting positive impact on the francophone community in BC and beyond.
Their dedication enriches the unique student experience for all, while fostering thriving research and academic excellence in French education. On this page, we have listed some inspiring stories and free activities to share a little Francophone “moment”.
On behalf of the Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs (OFFA) team, MERCI!
Celebrate together, Nous célébrons ensemble: 20th anniversary of OFFA and the French Cohort Program
As an Anglophone institution, Simon Fraser University (SFU) stands out for its strong commitment to Francophone and Francophile cultures. Despite being a place of higher education that teaches primarily in English, SFU provides an outstanding number of courses and programs in French, such as the French Cohort Program in Public and International Affairs. SFU also offers a supportive and inclusive environment for French-speaking people, no matter their level of comprehension or interest. This dedication aligns closely with SFU's values and priorities to foster student success and community engagement.
Written by Ash Tanasiychuk, Director, Marketing and Communications, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Championing French-Language Education: Dr. Cécile Bullock’s 20-Year Impact at SFU
For two decades, Cécile has played a vital role in shaping French-language education at SFU, driving curriculum development, research, and advocacy for multilingual learning, leaving an enduring impact on students, colleagues, and the wider Francophone community. As a leader, mentor, and advocate, Cécile has fostered academic excellence and cultivated meaningful relationships, inspiring those around her with her warmth, dedication, and tireless energy.
In celebration of 20 years of Cécile’s contributions to the Faculty of Education and OFFA, we have gathered reflections from those who have worked alongside Cécile—colleagues, students, and mentors—who have witnessed firsthand the depth of her impact on OFFA, the Faculty of Education, and the broader Francophone community.
Written by Allen M. Quinn, Officer, Communications, Faculty of Education
2025 Recipients of the Community Leadership Awards
We're delighted to announce the first Community Leadership Award for future teachers and, for the fourth year running, the Community Leadership Award.
Brienne Fillippe and Charlotte Moreau are true rays of sunshine, embodying the vitality of the French language and the future of the French-speaking world with their shared desire to bring people together in French.
Read the full interview conducted by Vanessa Groult, Executive Director of the Fondation des francophones de la C.-B.
Until March 31st, Simon Fraser University’s Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs (OFFA) invites you to participate in some 20 free cultural, academic, and interactive activities during the 15th edition of SFU’s Printemps de la francophonie. Whether you speak French or not, participate in one or many of the upcoming "English-friendly" activities:
- Thursday, March 20 between 11 am and 5 pm
OFFA's Open House
Friday, March 21 at 11 am
Ma thèse en 180 secondes - Western Final - Saturday, March 22 at 4 pm
Family movie time (with English subtitles): Sirocco et le Royaume des courants d'air - Tuesday, March 25 at 6 pm
Conference: La guerre Russie-Ukraine, ses raisons et ses conséquences - Wednesday, March 26 at 7 pm
Movie time (with English subtitles): L'histoire de Souleymane - Saturday, March 29 at 5 pm
Conference: Le système de santé canadien, passé, présent et futur - Throughout March
Movie time at home (with English subtitles) - Following the Printemps de la francophonie:
Saturday, April 5 at 7 pm
Phyllis Webb Memorial Reading featuring Erin Moure and Chantal Neveu - a bilingual event organized by the Department of English
FRENCH AT SFU | DID YOU KNOW...
- Thanks to its variety of programs and services offered in French, SFU is the only university in BC to be a member of the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie Canadienne (Association of Colleges and Universities of the Canadian Francophonie), which promotes college and university education in Canada's linguistic minority settings.
- 30 programs are taught entirely or partially in French at the Undergraduate and Graduate Levels.
- Close to $500,000 in scholarships are awarded each year to students for studies in French.
- With the Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs and its sixty+ partners, SFU offers many services to the population, such as resources adapted to teaching in French for the province's teaching and administrative staff, a year-round program of free cultural and academic activities open to the public, and a DELF-DALF examination centre to certify one's level of French.
FRENCH PRESENCE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
French in B.C. represents:
- 65,568 people speak French as their first official language
- 328,650 people can speak French
- 6,414 students registered at the Francophone School Board
- 53,493 students registered in French immersion
Curious to learn more?
Check out this infographic from the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages to discover the Francophone and Francophile communities in our province: