Chris Lowrey
SHAWVILLE Oct. 10, 2018
The Regional Association of Western Quebecers (RAWQ) is looking for folks who are interested in improving their French.
RAWQ is a non-profit group that is dedicated to serving and supporting the minority English language community in the Outaouais.
According to spokesman Aldo Jaurequi, the organization is offering four French language training courses throughout the Outaouais thanks to a grant from Le ministre des Affaires municipales et de l’Occupation du territoire (MAMOT).
Although the courses in Aylmer, Wakefield and Campbell’s Bay will be well attended, the one in Shawville is lagging behind.

“Most of the classes were full,” Jaurequi said. “We started having a waiting list which grew to be almost 250 people.”
There are four classes being offered in Shawville, Campbell’s Bay, Wakefield and Aylmer. The class in Aylmer is so full that two more sessions have been added.
“However, Shawville is the one we’re struggling with a little bit,” Jaurequi said.
As a result of the low attendance, RAWQ might reduce the number of course offered in Shawville.
“We might have to reduce it to two in Shawville and open two more in Aylmer,” he said.
There are four courses offered: two beginner levels, an intermediate level and a conversational level. In order for people to figure out which course suits them best, they have to take a quick 20 minute test to evaluate their understanding of the language.
The recently-elected Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) campaigned on mandatory French tests for new Quebecers after three years of living in the province. The party’s leader, Francois Legault, has said those who fail the test will be expelled from the province.
With this in mind, there is a chance that more people will enroll in French classes.
Anyone interested in enrolling in the Shawville course can sign up on the RAWQ website’s main page.