Recognizing Outstanding Achievement in French Language Across Minnesota Classrooms

By Carolyn Fisk and Maureen Elwell Peltier

May 8, 2025

Every winter, American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) offers what they call

the Grand Concours, otherwise known as the National French Contest. It is an annual “competition” to promote and celebrate French language learning in the United States. Open to students from elementary through high school, the contest evaluates participants’ skills in reading, listening, vocabulary, and grammar through a standardized online exam. The Grand Concours offers students a meaningful opportunity to challenge themselves and showcase their achievement in French.

Since the 1980s, AATF Minnesota has celebrated outstanding achievement each spring with an Awards Breakfast. During the event, students are invited to come forward with others at their testing level to receive medals issued by the AATF national office. After each level has been recognized, a tombola (lottery) is held for both students and teachers. Lucky winners may choose a gift from a prize table filled with donated items from Francophone individuals and organizations.

This year, on May 5, 2025, the Eagan Community Center welcomed over one hundred students from thirteen Minnesota schools, together with their teachers and parents, for a celebration honoring their success in the contest. Platinum, gold, silver, and bronze medalists gathered to be recognized and honored for their focus, dedication, and achievement.

Celebrating Excellence

The Eagan Community Center was a beautiful setting for the event. Located in northern Eagan, the center provided a light filled space with windows overlooking a spring green park. Students, teachers and guests were welcomed by tables decorated with French themed centerpieces, delicious croissants from Baba’s Middle Eastern Restaurant, and hot

beverages. In the background, music and a display of pictures from French speaking countries made by Kaitlin Scott, Harding High School French teacher and secretary on the AATF Minnesota Board, added to the festive atmosphere.

AATF Minnesota President Maureen Elwell Peltier opened the celebration with thanks to all who attended, all who helped create the event, and all the hard-working teachers who prepared their students so well. Carolyn Fisk, contest and breakfast organizer and Beth Alto, French teacher at Minnetonka High School, emceed the ceremony.

This year, a new prize was initiated – Le prix de la Baguette. This award went to the teacher bringing the largest number of students to the breakfast. Valley View Middle School in Edina won with 42 students present! Congratulations to Christine Klein, French immersion teacher at Valley View and her students.

The breakfast’s grand prize was a $500 voucher that could be used for travel or study in a Francophone country, or applied toward programs at the Alliance Française les Villes Jumelles or the Lac du Bois Concordia Language Camps. All medalists in Levels 3, 4, and 5 were eligible. The award, sponsored by Xperitas Immersion Travel, was presented by company representative Virginie Donzo to a student from Chaska High School. AATF Minnesota extends its gratitude to Xperitas for their ongoing support of French education in the state; this marks the second year they have sponsored the prize.

At the end of the hour-long ceremony, parents, teachers and students exited smiling and proud.

Un Grand Merci

AATF Minnesota would like to thank our excellent Team Grand Concours, a formidable group of retired and active French teachers who arrived early to set up the tables and stayed to clean up. The team included Kathy Stoddart, Jane Law, Carolyn Fisk, Michelle Vitt, Maureen Elwell Peltier, and Cristina Sturm.

And finally, a thank you to Carolyn Fisk, the Grand Concours test organizer and the driving

force behind the Awards Breakfast who devotes countless hours to making the event a success. Her commitment to sustainability ensured that this year’s breakfast was as environmentally friendly as possible, reflecting both her creativity and her care for the community. Carolyn’s dedication, organization, and steady leadership make the celebration run smoothly year after year. We truly could not do it without her. Her contributions are deeply valued and appreciated. Merci beaucoup, Carolyn.

Start planning now

We look forward to seeing more students register for the 2026 Grand Concours.  This year, Minnesota had 547 students, Foreign Language Elementary School (FLES) through Secondary, registered and over one hundred of them medaled and were recognized!  Nationally 47,130 students participated in 2025. 

The dates for the 2026 Grand Concours are: 

FLES    February 11 - March 10, 2026

Levels 01 - 5   February 12 - April 10, 2026

To register students, go to:   Frenchteachers.org

Registration will be open at the end of October 2025.

Pictures by Carolyn Fisk and Maureen Elwell Peltier

Home. NFC Home - American Association of Teachers of French. (n.d.-b). https://www.frenchteachers.org/nfc-home

Le Grand Concours” ChatGPT, 8 May version, OpenAI, 8 May 2025, chat.openai.com.

The Awards Breakfast for the National French Contest - May 5, 2025