Francopass in a nutshell

Francopass (FP) is an application developed in the fall of 2019 by an interdisciplinary team of researchers and students at the University of Alberta under the supervision of Dr. Sathya Rao. The app is a web application, accessible on any electronic device (e.g., smartphone, tablet, etc.), via the URL https://francopass.artsrn.ualberta.ca/. Please note that the mobile app (“Francopassmobile”) available for download on the App Store is no longer being updated.    

The idea for the app stems from two observations: first, French learners could benefit from more authentic situations to hone their French skills; second, the local Francophone community in Edmonton offers numerous opportunities to interact in French. The FP thus aims to be a unique bridge between the classroom and the local Francophone community. It allows users—whether they are French learners, Francophiles, or Francophones—to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the local Francophone community to practice French, discover its diversity, and contribute to its vitality.   

Even though the use of FP is currently limited to the city of Edmonton, it can also be used in other provinces hosting dynamic Francophone communities offering activities in French. 

Francopass (FP) is based on several principles that make it a one-of-a-kind app: 

Authenticity: FP stands out from other apps that use artificial intelligence, virtual reality, or augmented reality to (re)create an authentic second-language learning experience. FP’s originality lies in transforming the many activities offered by local Francophone organizations into learning opportunities. These opportunities are authentic, varied, and conducive to social interaction. 

Community: FP promotes the activities of local Francophone organizations while highlighting the vitality of Francophone minority communities. The FP also puts the principle of community into practice through the “Team” feature, which allows users to participate in activities and compete with groups of friends, classmates, or family.

Diversity: FP collaborates with several local organizations that offer a variety of activities and reflect the diversity of the Franco-Alberta community. Badges, for example, encourage users to participate in a variety of activities and discover the diversity of the Franco-Albertan community.

Gamification: FP uses a variety of gamification strategies (e.g., points, badges, leaderboards, and quizzes) to encourage users to participate in local French-language activities. These strategies have proven effective in the field of second-language learning. The FP also incorporates other complementary pedagogical approaches such as risk-taking, experiential learning, and task-based language teaching. 

Solidarity: The FP relies on a network of local French-speaking nonprofit organizations that use the app for free to promote their activities. These organizations have the option to donate prizes (e.g., theatre tickets) that are offered as rewards within the app to motivate users. 

Francopass (FP) is primarily intended for:

 French learners, Francophiles, and Francophones who wish to improve their knowledge of the French language and Francophone cultures while exploring the local Francophone community in a fun way.  

French teachers and instructors who want to give greater prominence to the local Francophone community and experiential learning in their classrooms

Community organizations and businesses that are interested in promoting their activities in French and increasing their visibility.