Update on the progress by the Working Groups

Members of the Tripartite committee first took stock of the progress made as part of the development and implementation of the Strategic Plan for French-Language Education commonly referred to in French as PSELF. It’s a vision for French-language education in minority settings in Canada through four priority areas (early childhood, teaching/learning, identity-building and immigration). As shown below in the chart, the plan is currently at the stage where each working group assigned to look into a key area is in the process of identifying relevant resources to support the strategic objectives of the plan.

Participants were invited to look into the Strategic Plan for French-Language Education web site and to comment on it. Part of the content of the site is offered in English.

pself.ca

The web site covers various elements such as:

• arguments in favor of the plan;
• the objectives of the plan;
• snapshots of the current situation for each of the key areas in education;
• relevancy indicators to assesss and identify projects and resources;
• a chart of targeted ressources.

This site undergoes regular updates in an effort to keep everyone informed on the latest developments related to the Plan.

Key Projects

Members of the Tripartite committee were presented with an overview of four projects and key resources, each being related to a specific area (early childhood, teaching/learning, identity-building and immigration). Following these presentations, participants had a chance to reflect through small discussion groups on the best ways to promote these projects and resources to ensure that they are used effectively to support the objectives of the Strategic Plan for French-Language Education.  The Plan aims to define, update and promote the specific nature of French-language education in minority settings in Canada in order to contribute to the vitality and sustainability of Francophone and Acadian communities.

 

La Pédagogie à l’école de langue française (or teaching in French-language schools)

Presented by Ronald Boudreau, director of French services at the Canadian Teachers Federation.

This project specifically designed for French teaching in minority settings in Canada is based on the most recent studies in education. The project called PELF comprises, among other things, short videos inspired from real class situations acted by students and teachers to serve as icebreaker to prompt discussions on various topics related to French-language education and culture. This project aims to reach not only students and teachers but parents and community members as well.

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A world of possibilities!

Presented by Daniel-Pierre Bourdeau, community liaison agent for the Ontario government-funded project called   « Élargir l’espace francophone » which means expanding francophone space. 

Through an information kit, this project aims to reach out to recent immigrants to let them know of the existence of the French-language education system and of all the related services they can tap into. Key information covers all aspects of education from early childhood to postsecondary education including adults continuing education. As well, contact information is listed by geographic regions to get hold of community organizations servicing French-speaking newcomers.

New Brunswick’s linguistic and cultural development policy as it pertains to early childhood education

Presented  by Marcel Lavoie, executive director of French-language  education services at the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in New Brunswick and Josée Nadeau, director of education and early childhood development within the same ministry.

Both presenters demonstrated how the collaborative approach by community organizations and major players from the French-language education system in that province including the provincial government played a successful role in mapping out this policy and making it a reality.

Understanding identity-building

Presented by Richard Lacombe, executive director of the Association canadienne d’éducation de langue française.

A series of leaflets on the issue of identity-building was produced by this organization. The brochures present in a succinct way the basic principles of identity-building and propose as well other related articles. M. Lacombe explained how this series of leaflets is part of numerous other resources produced by his organisation on identity-building and proceeded to present an overview of these resources.

Postsecondary education in French 

William Floch from Canadian Heritage and  André J. Lalonde  of the firm Sentiers du Leadership.

M. Floch presented an analysis of the proximity of postsecondary education institutions and programs as related tofrancophone communities. As for M. Lalonde, he presented a research which looked into the various studies and data collected on the issue of moving on to postsecondary education after having completed education in French at the high school level. The research looked as well at the various factors influencing the decision of francophone teens to pursue or not their studies in French. This research was made possible thanks to the AUFC. the RCCFC and the FNCSF.

 

Following the various presentations, participants agreed on the need to promote these projects and resources to ensure that they reach the targeted audience. Participants added that whenever possible, it might be interesting to adapt these projects and resources to broaden the audience.

Communication and action plan 

Participants were given an update on the communication and action plan drafted by the coordination committee. This plan entails several objectives which include :

• to foster the involvement of several key partners to support the Strategic Plan for French-Language Education;
• to support key partners by providing them with various marketing tools to explain and promote this plan;
• to influence and mobilize members of Francophone and Acadian communities towards the plan.