Students in Northern Michigan University's French program will lead another “French Camp for Younger Learners” Nov. 6 and 11 at Sandy Knoll Elementary School in Marquette. This outreach initiative demonstrates an ongoing commitment to academic service learning, which is a component of every course in the French program.
The camp promotes communication skills and cultural appreciation, with topics ranging from cuisine to fine arts. Service learning gives NMU students the opportunity to apply classroom learning in a meaningful way, transforming abstract knowledge into real-world communication skills, and connecting them more deeply to the language and culture, said Professor Nell Kupper.
Research shows that integrating structured service with academic learning fosters both academic development and civic responsibility, she added, which boosts cultural awareness and professionalism.
“For NMU's French Program, it means transforming language instruction into a reciprocal experience—one in which NMU students reinforce their own fluency, language and cultural skills while enriching local elementary classrooms through diversity and global perspectives,” Kupper said.
“French Camp teaches NMU students skills like leadership, planning, communication and empathy—competencies highly valued by U.S. employers and for international opportunities,” she said. “It immerses elementary students in Francophone culture locally, thus enhancing intercultural competence and virtually eliminating the apprehension of foreign language study that is mandatory for Michigan high school graduates.”
One memorable story related to the enduring impact of French Camp came from a former Sandy Knoll Elementary fourth grader, who wrote a thank-you note to NMU students soon after her experience.
“I really enjoyed learning lots of really cool French words, like counting to 12 in French and saying how are you and lots of other cool things,” she wrote. “I wish we would have had more time with you so you could teach me more things.”
Now in college herself, the same student reflected on her early exposure to language and culture during her French Camp experience as a defining moment.
“After having this experience in fourth grade, I took French in high school and remembered simple phrases like how to greet someone and to say goodbye. I learned a lot about the culture. Living in Marquette, we do not have exposure to French culture, and I am very glad I had that experience in high school. I hope to visit France in the coming years.”
Beyond language instruction and cultural awareness, the camp encourages curiosity and confidence among young learners. As the upcoming French Camp approaches, NMU's French students and their instructor, Kupper, look forward to continuing this tradition of service learning and engagement with their partner school, Sandy Knoll.
Media Contact: Nell Kupper, nkupper@nmu.edu or 906-227-2648.