The first year of New Brunswick’s revamped French immersion program is over, and parents are not pleased with changes that have added yet another chapter to the controversy over such programs in Canadian schools.
Those who have been closely watching the implementation of a new system that employs softer “experiential modules” say children finishing Grade 1 — the first crop of students to take part in the revised program — have failed to learn any French.
The new immersion model, championed by former education minister Kelly Lamrock as a way to provide universal access to French education for students across the province, has resulted in the opposite effect, according to Fredericton parent Lori Doucet: “Nobody’s getting access.”
Mr. Lamrock was shuffled this week to the social development portfolio after a wave of protests over cuts to school support staff, but he continues to be defined by his handling of the immersion file. The Liberal minister has been under intense public pressure since he first announced reforms to French education in New Brunswick early last year, calling for the elimination of early immersion.
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And whose fault is it that these kids arent becoming bilingual? Why its those damn anglo teachers who dont appreciate our language like a french teacher would.
Its no wonder that NB anglo’s like those in Quebec are becoming concerned about discrimination happening against them and have founded their own association to help fight it. Seems like everyone is afraid of francophone power these days, even here in Ontario.
http://www.asnb.ca/
Good response UV. Why would any little kid in Grade One see the value in a second language? Therefore the reason they don’t learn.
Around Grade Seven is where it should start if it does at all.