MEd Student, Gail Cormier wins Young Researchers Contest
Gail Cormier
In early May 2012, Master in Education (MEd) student Gail Cormier won the Young Researchers contest through Association francophone pour le savoir (Acfas). The research project she was invited to present was a final project for her class “Critical Applied Linguistics in a Global Context” with professor Dr. Kouritzin. For this project she explored Saint-Boniface’s linguistic landscape and analyzed the symbolic and informative functions of public, commercial and government signs in that region, while reviewing the interaction of French and English and the linguistic identity of the community as seen through its signs.
As a result of winning the contest, she was invited to present her project at the conference and join a panel at the Réseau de la recherche sur la francophonie canadien (RRFC) convention on May 8th & 9th, 2012. This convention is recognized as one of the most important annual multidisciplinary events in the French language and an important forum for young researchers. The Acfas is a non-profit organization that was first established in 1923. They have played a significant role in the emergence of a French-speaking scientific community and aim to put an end to the isolation of researchers by increasing their impact on society.
Gail’s thesis explores the experience of students who attended a French immersion elementary school and then later switched to a French-language school for their secondary education. She will be defending her thesis this summer.
The Faculty of Education congratulates Gail for having her hard work and area of interest recognized by the Acfas.
Gail Cormier’s academic advisor is Dr. Sandra Kouritzin. Her evaluation committee includes Dr. Krystyna Baranowski and Dr. Gestny Ewart (Université de Saint-Boniface).