The PLQ welcomes the compromise accepted by Quebec for English-speaking CEGEP students

Initially, it was proposed that these students follow, in French, courses in chemistry, geography or mathematics, depending on the program chosen. An avenue which the Minister responsible for the French Language, Simon Jolin-Barrette, gave up after it caused an outcry, especially among the parents of these English-speaking CEGEP students.

<q data-attributes="{"lang":{"value":"fr","label":"Français"},"value":{"html":"Je pense qu’on a trouvé le parfait équilibre pour la situation que nous avons effectivement constatée en cours de route, a expliqué Hélène David en interview Wednesday at All one morningon HEREFirst. […] Quite a number of other students don’t have a good enough command of the French language, so let’s start by improving their French language skills with additional French lessons.”,”text”:”I think we have found the perfect balance for the situation that we have actually observed along the way, explained Hélène David in an interview on Wednesday at Tout un matin, on the airwaves of ICIPremière. […] A significant portion of other students do not have a sufficient command of the French language, so let’s start by improving their French command with additional French lessons.”}}”>I think we have found the perfect balance for the situation that we have actually observed along the way, explained Hélène David in interview Wednesday at All one morningon ICI Première. […] A significant portion of other students do not have a sufficient command of the French language, so let’s start by improving their French command with additional French lessons.

The Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) want the same [que le gouvernement]we want a better mastery of the French language among all our English-speaking fellow citizenssaid the MP for Marguerite-Bourgeoys, a message she says she relayed to Simon Jolin-Barrette.

The Minister agreed to be inspired a compromise proposed by the Liberals in the amendment to the Act respecting the official and common language of Quebec, French, which he will shortly submit to the National Assembly.

Hélène David acknowledges that this change will lead to a reorganization of the courses given in French and that it will be necessary to offer more french lessons in English-language CEGEPs. We will have to hire a lot more French teachers, that’s clearshe predicts.

« This will require changes in the number of teachers teaching either French or English. »

— A quote from Hélène David, Official Opposition Critic for the Protection of the French Language

The Liberal MP says she is convinced that the compromise agreed to by the government of François Legault should calm much of the discontent, because the parents were very worried about their children.

Mrs. David specifies that the uniform French test is reserved Francophones and allophones who did their primary and secondary education in French, i.e. to all those […] who are subject to Law 101.

Rights holders, i.e. those who have completed their primary and secondary education in English, pass the equivalent, the uniform English test.

And, in both French- and English-language CEGEPs, students take courses to perfect their mastery of one or other of the country’s official languages. They are placed in the appropriate class for their level and are evaluated according to that level, argued Ms. David. So it’s fair and it’s just.

Not good news for teachers

The amendment that will be made to the law changes the game for students who do not have the sufficient level of French to pass the courses in Frenchsaid Diane Gauvin, Director General of Dawson College, in an interview with First the infoon RDI, Wednesday.

In subjects quite complexit is necessary to ensure that students understand what is being taught to them in French. If they miss half of what the teacher says, it can set them up for failure.explains Ms. Gauvin.

For teachers working in English-speaking CEGEPs, there is a threat of job loss, since it will be necessary to hire French teachers. In Dawson, these are not not good news for teachersconfirms Ms. Gauvin.

Bill 96 is just the beginning, she said. How it is implemented is the responsibility of the Ministry of Higher Education and we will have discussions with its members.

In addition, the executive director of the English-speaking Montreal establishment doubts that these major changes can come into force in 2023, as planned by Quebec. She says that 98 course schedules will have to be modified in her establishment to meet these new requirements.

Start earlier

At CEGEP, English speakers have always had two second language courses [en français] and it will be maintained, says Ms. Gauvin. Under amended Bill 96, additional French lessons will be provided to those who need them.

That said, for them to be able to function in French in the job market, they should start learning this language much earlier in their school career, argues Diane Gauvin. We are quite willing to offer them these French courses, she says, but we cannot, in two years [de cégep]improve their French in such a radical way.

How to make French sexy?

Adding three French courses to a two-year college course can only be doneto the detriment of other courses, unless the duration of the course is extendednoted Julie Gagné, French as a second language teacher at Vanier College, in an interview with Midi info on HERE Premiere.

On the ground, from a union point of view, how are we going to manage to orchestrate all of this?

At the end of their college course, students have a French level with variable geometrydepending on whether they took a beginner’s course or a more advanced course, notes Ms. Gagné.

The two courses currently offered to Anglophones at CEGEP are a triggeraccording to her, and open doors to Quebec culture.

However, during a session that includes 45 hours of French and in a classroom of 40 students, it is not always possible to let everyone speak. The teacher says lead a fight to take French out of the classroom and make it a real social issue.

According to Julie Gagné, in Quebec, when a passer-by who asks for directions in French is rebuffed because he does not speak well enough, a bridge is broken and an outstretched hand is pushed back. It is, she says, a missed opportunity to share this language which is French in a sincere and egalitarian relationship with the other.

There is a collective reflection to be done, she says. What can be done to make French sexy?

How to ensure that this language, we are not always afraid that it will disappear?