Evidence of meeting #78 for Official Languages in the 41st Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was students.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Stéphane Dion Liberal Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Dénommée, I was not fast enough to write down the percentages you mentioned at first. You mentioned 83%, 35% and 70%. Could you repeat them, please?
You can use whichever language you like.
Pedagogical Services Assistant Director, English Montreal School Board, Quebec English School Boards Association
With pleasure, sir.
So what we are saying is that in 2006...
Mr. Dion, would you allow me to respond to you in French?
Liberal
Pedagogical Services Assistant Director, English Montreal School Board, Quebec English School Boards Association
So, 66% of students enrolled in primary school were enrolled in one of the immersion programs, in other words partial or total immersion. Five years later, or in 2011, it was 83%. This testifies to the fact that parents want bilingual primary schools. The message is clear.
Liberal
Stéphane Dion Liberal Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC
That means that 17% of students are taking regular French classes.
Pedagogical Services Assistant Director, English Montreal School Board, Quebec English School Boards Association
They are in an English stream and there is a core French program within it.
Executive Director, Quebec English School Boards Association
As a general rule, there is more than one hour per...
Pedagogical Services Assistant Director, English Montreal School Board, Quebec English School Boards Association
Yes, yes it's more than one hour.
Executive Director, Quebec English School Boards Association
It is more intensive, but it is not full immersion.
Liberal
Stéphane Dion Liberal Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC
When your refer to partial immersion this would mean it wouldn't be for all courses.
Pedagogical Services Assistant Director, English Montreal School Board, Quebec English School Boards Association
I will tell you what we mean by “partial bilingualism“. The term is actually a literal translation. In fact, it would be exactly half of a school day. Fifty-fifty, in other words 50% French over the six to seven years of school. It varies according to subject matters. For instance, it could be over the course of a week. Each school board or school has its own specific model.
Liberal
Pedagogical Services Assistant Director, English Montreal School Board, Quebec English School Boards Association
We are referring to primary school, sir. From grade 1 to grade 6.
Liberal
Pedagogical Services Assistant Director, English Montreal School Board, Quebec English School Boards Association
Yes. We also see a great deal of temporary immersion in kindergarten.
Liberal
Stéphane Dion Liberal Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC
So all of the courses are in French, from kindergarten until the students get to high school?
Pedagogical Services Assistant Director, English Montreal School Board, Quebec English School Boards Association
Yes.
Liberal
Stéphane Dion Liberal Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC
Why do they go to English schools if everything is in French?
Pedagogical Services Assistant Director, English Montreal School Board, Quebec English School Boards Association
You have to remember that what is most important to parents is that their children become bilingual. In French, we talk about “bilinguisme fonctionnel”, functional bilingualism, because there is no translation in French for the terms “bilingual” and “bi-literate”. They are very proud of the fact that they are anglophone. Let's not forget that French is the language of instruction and English is their mother tongue. When students finish school and arrive in the labour market, they have access to jobs...
Liberal
Stéphane Dion Liberal Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC
But that means that, from kindergarten to the beginning of high school, eight out of ten students take classes in French.
Executive Director, Quebec English School Boards Association
There are two things here. Obviously, we are trying to do two things, as Ms. Dénommée mentioned. First, students will try to improve their French skills. However, if you ask any of these parents, they will tell you that their children are going to an English school. There is the English Language Arts program. As always, there is a second issue. While the program tries to teach students that they must be ready to integrate a mainly francophone society, they are still going to an English school.
Liberal
Stéphane Dion Liberal Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC
How are their marks on English exams compared to the marks of anglophones in English classes? How do they compare, in terms of English writing and comprehension?
Pedagogical Services Assistant Director, English Montreal School Board, Quebec English School Boards Association
For grade 11, you will see from our partnership agreements that...
Liberal
Stéphane Dion Liberal Saint-Laurent—Cartierville, QC
No, I meant results at the end of elementary school.