When Michael Bowden looks at the number of French immersion students coming from elementary schools, he can't help but get excited.
"I think, for the first time, there are more French immersion kids than English kids at a public elementary school for our division," said the Carlton Comprehensive School French immersion teacher. "It's going to be some big changes around here. I'm looking forward to it."
According to the Ministry of Education, enrollment in French immersion has increased over the last five years by eight per cent, to 9,600 students. Locally, both teachers and board officials have noticed the increase in their own enrollment numbers over the last few years.
JoAnne Thalheimer, principal at École St. Anne School, said the number of French immersion students increased at her school approximately four years ago, but has since leveled out among her kindergarten students. She said school typically doesn't measure beyond kindergarten because there aren't that many students being brought into the program later unless they move in from out of town.
"I could probably count on one hand how many immersion students in grades 4, 5 and 6 that have come new to this school," she said. "You don't really take on new kids."
Currently, French immersion is taught at École St.St. Anne from kindergarten to Grade 6, then move on to École Holy Cross School for grades 7 and 8, and finish at St. Mary's for their high school education. Thalheimer says the new École St.St. Anne building will allow them to house French immersion classes until Grade 8, eliminating the need for middle school.
Jeanne Kustaski, assistant director for the Prince Albert Catholic School Board, attributes the increase in enrollment to many different factors, such as an awareness of the existence of French immersion, realizing the value of being bilingual in the global economy and a parent's own desire to learn French.
"There's also been renewed interest at the national level," she said. "There is a plan to increase the number of students who graduate (bilingual) by 2013."
However, Thalheimer admits that parents often worry that they will be unable to help their children with their schoolwork because they cannot understand the homework they bring home. In the end, however, Thalheimer believes the enrollment numbers will continue to be strongly in favour of French immersion.
kjarvis@paherald.sk.ca
Demand for French immersion increases
Ecole St. Anne School Grade 6 French immersion students; from left; James Lahoux, Alice Burton and Karlee Fetch look at the beginnings of a classroom garden. French immersion enrolment has risen in recent years. Herald photo by Kristina Jarvis
When Michael Bowden looks at the number of French immersion students coming from elementary schools, he can't help but get excited.
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Comments
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- aldus
- - November 18th, 2009
I speak 3 languages fluently. Of the three, English is by far the most important. Learn another language if you wish, but do so on an English immersion basis and dedicate a few hours a week to the second language.
To spend the entire day immersed in French or any other language is not practical. -
- joe blow
- - November 18th, 2009
The only reason French Immersion numbers are up, is because there is an entire generation of us who graduated in the late 80's who couldn't get a job as a male, caucasian. We were all told that unless we were women, a member of a visible minority or were bilingual, our applications would not be accepted, even though we may have been the most qualified for the position. Now, that generation has kids and is smart enough to realize it will be the same for their kids when they graduate. Nothing you can do about your sex or skin colour, but at least we can give our children the chance to compete in the workforce.
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- aldus
- - November 19th, 2009
Nobody needs to know French to get a good job in most of Canada.
If you want to work for the federal government in Ottawa, well maybe. But who wants a lousy job like that?
I am all for learning languages, but be reasonable with your justifications.
It is vital to get a solid grounding in English communication, the global language of commerce and the internet. So again, learn another language, but do not do it at the expense of cheating yourself out of a solid education in English.
There are 6 million French speakers in North America largely confined to a thin strip along the St Laurence and 330 million English speakers everywhere else.
The Chinese and East Asians are learning English by the billions. Virtually everyone under the age of 40 in the EU speaks fluent English.
Think about this before submitting your child to french immersion. -
- Al
- - November 20th, 2009
Aldus... you are somewhat right in that most jobs in Canada don't need two languages however there a far reaching benefits of a second language which are quite real.
French is an official language of Canada. In Europe many speak two or three languages and having just been to Europe, I can assure you that there are many under 40 who don't speak English but do speak French.
I feel that a second language provides an opportunity to think outside the narrow English box. I'm not concerned whether it's French, Cree, Chinese or some othe language but rather that the second language provides another way of looking at things. I'm a English only speaker but I am a strong believer in more than one language and it appears that there are many others who agree. -
- Scott
- - November 20th, 2009
French Immersion is much more than getting a job. It teaches the student how to think, listen and volcalize in a different language. This can only exercise their young growing brains. Teach your child how to learn and they will more than compete for any job. This is why one should be submitting your child to french immersion Aldus.
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- Unknown
- - November 20th, 2009
They forgot to mention the public school system.
You start out at École Vickers, Kindergarten to Grade 8 and then go on to Carlton Comprehensive High School.
I am sure those numbers have increased as the elementary portion used to be at King George.
