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(Canadian Parents for French - Prince Albert Chapter/Facebook)
FRENCH IMMERSION

‘It’s working’: P.A. French speakers showing support for French Immersion programs

Nov 23, 2022 | 4:16 PM

French-speaking families in Prince Albert are showing support to their neighbours in New Brunswick following the start of a new program.

The provincial government in New Brunswick is piloting a new initiative that could replace French Immersion with courses designed to improve conversational French.

However, some feel the pilot program is not as intensive as French Immersion so a lot of things could be left out.

Remi Joncas is the Vice President of the Canadian Parents for French (CPF) in Prince Albert. He is originally from New Brunswick so news of this change caught his attention

“The government over there decided to remove and change the French program (because) they wanted to create a new program to reach conversational French in New Brunswick which is not as intensive as French Immersion.”

Joncas said they are still piloting the program so many changes could come in the future to tweak or improve it. However, he believes this move could spread to other provinces, which is why he presented this matter to the CPF board.

“We do have a lot of French Immersion programs in Saskatchewan that are working very well. I presented this situation to our board so we could avoid some ripple affect across the country.”

Joncas and the CPF of Prince Albert released an open letter earlier this week giving their support for CPF New Brunswick.

(Submitted/Canadian Parents for French – Prince Albert)

“The idea of cutting French Immersion programs in New Brunswick has certainly echoed throughout the provinces and especially here in Saskatchewan,” the letter reads. “Our Board of Directors is overly concerned about recent statements made by the Government of New Brunswick about the future of the program in New Brunswick, as well as the potential effects such changes may have nationally.”

The letter goes on to list the importance of having French Immersion programs, particularly when it comes to career building and seeking employment.

“Employers often ask for people who speak advanced French and English,” the letter reads. “In many cases, they cannot fill this request, because there are not enough candidates available who are bilingual. It is a concern, even in English-speaking cities like Prince Albert, Saskatoon, and Regina, three of the largest cities in Saskatchewan where some of their biggest employers are the federal government.”

“We have a need for bilingual jobs everywhere,” adds Joncas. “I think of Waskesiu or the Pen so these programs are very relevant. It’s good for anywhere in the world.”

Joncas acknowledges that French Immersion isn’t perfect but it is working pointing to statistics from the New Brunswick chapter showing 93 per cent of students who complete French Immersion programs achieve good mastery of the French language.

“We need to improve it instead of removing it or replacing it with something,” said Joncas.

derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock

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