Canadian Language Education Questions

[Savonarola]

I don't want to interrupt the fine debate in the Scotia-Quebec independence thread¹; but some of the comments made me curious on how French and English are taught in Canada.

1.)  Are students in French schools required to take English and vice-versa?  If so how much?
2.)  Are there bilingual schools similar to the US model; that is where most of the instruction is in the provinces dominant language, but part of the day is in the other official language?
3.)  If you are French/English Canadian how much English/French did you study?

(1.)  The audd alliance

[Jacob]

I don't want to interrupt the fine debate in the Scotia-Quebec independence thread¹; but some of the comments made me curious on how French and English are taught in Canada.

1.)  Are students in French schools required to take English and vice-versa?  If so how much?
2.)  Are there bilingual schools similar to the US model; that is where most of the instruction is in the provinces dominant language, but part of the day is in the other official language?
3.)  If you are French/English Canadian how much English/French did you study?

(1.)  The audd alliance

In the parts of English speaking of Canada I've been in, you usually take mandatory French starting at some point in elementary school. It goes on into part of high school, at which point it becomes optional (usually you're required one or two years in high school).

There are, as part of the public education system, French immersion schools where - starting from kindergarten, but with possible entry points at other times - the language of instruction is primarily French. There are also, I believe, some programs where French is heavily emphasized (started earlier); and where some of the classes are in also in French. These immersion schools are generally highly sought after by parents.

Personally, I had little French instruction, but that's because I came to Canada a few days before high school started and was busy enough getting my English sorted.

EDIT: also, French education tends to be more emphasized closer to Quebec and closer to the federal government, in my observation.

[Grey Fox]

Education varies by provinces.

In Quebec. We have both English & French schools system. They have different rules & requirement & curriculum.

English system offers French Immersion & French classes starting in Elementary school. This system seems to use a 6+7(or 8?) american type school.

The French system offers English Immersion (2nd, 4th & 6th year in Elementary school) and regular English classes starting 4th year. High School has English classes in all 5 years. This sytem uses a 6 Primary + 5 High School system.

All this tend to vary by schools & school system.

[Barrister]

It's important to note that in Quebec access to English-language education is restricted - if you are a francophone, or if you are a new immigrant, you must send your child to french language school.

In Alberta we actually have about three different streams.  English-language education is standard, of course.  You have a separate French class at some point.

Second, there is French immersion.  It is designed to take english-speaking kids and make them fluent in French.

Finally, there are francophone schools, designed for children whose first language is french.


You can also throw in there are some schools offering German or Spanish immersion, as well as schools offering Ukrainian immersion.


For me, although French immersion has an appeal, in the end I'd like my kids to attend the highly-rated local school that they can walk to, rather than have to travel and take the bus.  So they'll get an English language education.

[Berkut]

Interesting that despite the claims of strangulation and such, it is actually only the French who *demand* that certain population segments be forced into a particular language, regardless of their wishes otherwise.

That seems like the exact opposite of the complaints being made.

[The Brain]

I don't speak French.

[Grey Fox]

Interesting that despite the claims of strangulation and such, it is actually only the French who *demand* that certain population segments be forced into a particular language, regardless of their wishes otherwise.

That seems like the exact opposite of the complaints being made.

Do not do what, we Quebecers often do, and ignore the fact French Canada is not only Quebec.

[Zoupa]

Interesting that despite the claims of strangulation and such, it is actually only the French who *demand* that certain population segments be forced into a particular language, regardless of their wishes otherwise.

That seems like the exact opposite of the complaints being made.

There's always private school. Enough with the hyperbole.

[The Brain]

So who is right?

[Martinus]

Second, there is French immersion.

Somehow, the expression "French immersion" invokes in me images of being submerged in giant vats full of snails and brie.

[The Brain]

Great. Now I'm hungry.

[Martinus]

Great. Now I'm hungry.

?

[derspiess]

Second, there is French immersion.

Somehow, the expression "French immersion" invokes in me images of being submerged in giant vats full of snails and brie.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/french-dip-sandwiches-recipe.html

[Savonarola]

You can also throw in there are some schools offering German or Spanish immersion, as well as schools offering Ukrainian immersion.

They should require a certain percentage of the students be Russian immersion fifth columnists for added realism.

Are these public schools which offer non-official language immersion?

[The Brain]

Great. Now I'm hungry.

?

Ew, no. Gross.