By Cheryl Jahn

French Immersion Healthy In District 57

Sep 19, 2018 | 4:03 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – French Immersion is the fastest growing Choice option for parents in BC, including in School District 57. It’s why the Province has created 74 new seats to train French Immersion teachers over two years, beginning in 2019-2020.

“We have a very robust program that serves nearly one in ten students, something like 56,000 kids,” says Rob Fleming, Education Minister. “In addition,m we have about six thousand Francophone students as well, who also are also looking for qualified teachers.”

But, District 57 noticed the trend early and began the recruitment process long ago and, today, a looming shortage doesn’t exist.

“We have had no indication that there are any concerns with getting French Immersion teachers into this district at this time,” says Joanne Hapke, President of the Prince George District Teachers Association.

“Having said that, we could use more French teachers,” says Superintendent Marilyn Marquis-Forster, who says there is not only a large French Immersion population in the District but French in the classrooms is also compulsory. “Were’ hoping to have more French teachers in our district.”

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and she says, while the District may flush right now, that may not be the case if the rate of growth continues.

The new seats at UBC and SFU will come about for the 2019-2010 academic year and Marquis-Forster already has a request.

“Perhaps we could have some conversation with Simon Fraser and UBC about hosting student teachers here form those programs. It’s always a learning opportunity to have student teachers and we, of course, enjoy our partnership with the University College of the North for teacher training. But we may be able to expand in the French area.”

These additional seats build on those announced in April.

by Cheryl Jahn

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French Immersion Healthy In District 57

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