Resources and services

French resources

The Pierre Dubé reading room

The Pierre Dubé Reading Room and Student Lounge is located in ML 355. Established in memory of a former Professor in the Department, this student space is open from 8:30 to 4:30 Monday to Friday. Students can use this room to work individually and in groups or as a place to relax and practice your French..

Students will find various resources in this room, including:

  • a computer with Antidote software installed
  • references (dictionaries and glossaries) must be consulted in the Reading room
  • a selection of fiction and biographical works.

Come and enjoy a quiet and relaxed atmosphere!

Antidote

Antidote is a French software program that is part spellcheck, dictionary and linguistic guide. Whether writing an essay or an email, it is indispensable in helping you write well in French.  This software is available to all students on 4 computers in the language lab (ML 110) and on the computer in the Pierre Dubé reading room (ML 355). The software can also be accessed remotely on your own device using the below instructions.

Azure Virtual Desktop to access Antidote

Signing in to the AVD

  • Go to https://avd.uwaterloo.ca/.
  • Click on "Open Windows App"
  • Enter your WatIAM credentials where prompted and click "Sign In."
    • Email: yourWatIAMuserid@uwaterloo.ca
    • Password: yourWatIAM password
  • Authenticate the 2FA prompt.
  • Optionally click "Yes" on the "Stay signed in?" prompt.
  • Click on "Connect" to Arts_VMs and Antidote is available in Microsoft Word, Excel and in the Windows menu

Lockers

Lockers in the French area of the Modern Languages Building are not administered by the Department, but rather, are reserved by the student putting on his or her own lock and registering with the Arts Student Union.

Websites to help with French pronunciation

Certification

Have your French language skills officially certified! DELF/DALF can help you.

We also offer certificates for the completion of beginner or intermediate level French courses at UW. Consult our French certificates page for more details.

Francophone Associations

Association Francophone de Kitchener-Waterloo

Financial aid resources
  • Waterloo's Scholarships & Financial Aid webpage.
  • Student Awards - Find Canadian scholarships, grants, bursaries and money for school opportunities.
  • Scholarships Canada - Canada's foremost web site for scholarships, student awards and bursaries.
  • Explore Program - Discover another region of Canada while learning French. Enjoy five weeks of learning and adventure, friendship and discovery!

University resources