U of S is hoping to train French immersion teachers
Province’s single program at U of Regina unable to keep up with popular demand
Demand for French immersion continues to grow in Saskatoon schools and may soon outpace teacher supply.
University of Saskatchewan staff say they may have a solution.
The number of students in French immersion programs in Saskatoon’s major divisions jumped by more than 300 students between Sept. 30, 2016 and Sept. 30, 2017, with 5,490 enrolled. Saskatchewan’s only French immersion teacher program is based at the University of Regina, so many with the training end up in the capital and its surrounding communities.
“They’re probably, right now, the most difficult positions to fill,” said Jaime Valentine, superintendent of human resources for Saskatoon’s public division.
The division is prepared to hire between four and six French immersion teachers next year, meeting the demand, and will continue to do so in the short term, but it’s still working on a long-term plan.
Valentine said numerous factors are at play in the program’s popularity, including the fact newcomer families want their children to learn both of Canada’s official languages.
The supply issue may soon be addressed, however. The U of S College of Education is preparing to submit a proposal for its own French immersion program as part of a strategic plan to be considered in the provincial budget.
Dean Michelle Prytula said the college has been in discussions about the program — which will accommodate about 30 students — for more than a year with the province, U of R, school divisions and the College of Arts and Sciences.
“We had quite a few preliminary discussions to make sure the demand for this was real and consistent,” Prytula said.
Program costs are still being finalized, but are estimated at $300,000 annually for the first three years until it becomes selfsustaining. She said collaboration, and potential partnerships, could help keep costs low.
“We believe by having these conversations ahead of time, we’ve facilitated the opportunity to have some partnerships and make the program possible in a shorter time span than maybe would possible if we tried the whole thing on our own,” she said.
Al Boutin, superintendent of human resources for the Catholic division, echoed Valentine, saying the shortage in French immersion teachers is “an issue in Saskatchewan, an issue in Saskatoon, and frankly, it’s an issue across the country.”
The Catholic division is meeting French immersion demand and will continue to do so with the hiring of six new French immersion teachers next year, but with more growth expected, an expansion at the U of S “would certainly assist,” he said.
Education Minister Bronwyn Eyre said in a statement that the government must consider all avenues so families can access the “greatest possible range of opportunities in French,” including working with the Advanced Education ministry to bring French immersion seats to the U of S.
“We want our students to be able to hold their own anywhere in the country and in the world,” Eyre said in the statement. “Currently, as you know, the University of the Regina is the only option in the province for French teacher training.” Eyre said while the U of R program is “excellent,” teacher-graduate numbers “speak for themselves.”
“We do have a shortage. So, we must consider all options.”
An issue in Saskatchewan, an issue in Saskatoon, and frankly, it’s an issue across the country.