Fix, but don’t give up on, French teaching
RE: Time to slay the sacred vache (July 4)
As a long-time secondary school French teacher, I was interested to read Latham Hunter’s commentary about teaching core French.
Ms. Hunter questions why “we persist in wasting time and money putting kids through such a pointless process?” In addition, she explains that the core French experience is not only ineffective, but it teaches kids to hate French.
There have been significant changes in the French curriculum over the past 25 years in an effort to expose students to “real and authentic” tasks that emphasize oral communication and comprehension. While some students still find learning French to be a waste of time, there are many others who enjoy learning a second language and recognize the opportunities bilingualism offers.
While abolishing French completely from the Ontario curriculum would be detrimental to students’ education as a whole, it should not be compulsory for all students. Having taught Grade 9 French to students new to Canada struggling to master English, as well as those with learning disabilities, I have seen how frustrating learning French can be.
Rather than abandon core French instruction altogether, as Ms. Hunter suggests, students should have the option of learning French in Grade 9 if they are interested and capable. However, it should not be a requirement to graduate. Giving students this choice would eliminate the negativity surrounding core French instruction and enhance the learning of those students wishing to embrace both of Canada’s official languages.
Andrea Raso, Hamilton