For Immediate Release
Mississauga, October 18, 2021 – Canadian Parents for French (Ontario) applauds the Ontario government’s marked progress on its recently announced French Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy which is helping to recruit and retain new French language teachers. The four-year strategy demonstrates the province’s commitment to addressing the French language and French as a Second Language (FSL) teacher shortage in both the French and English school systems.
The strategy includes a pilot project with France to increase the recruitment of qualified teachers in both French- and English-language school boards and focuses on building awareness of teaching pathways. Ontario recently welcomed the first four internationally educated teachers thanks to the strategy — these are the first of what is expected to be many teachers hired through a promising pilot project with France and international outreach with French-speaking countries.
Other initiatives include recruitment efforts in French-speaking jurisdictions abroad, removing barriers to teacher training programs, improving flexibility of teacher training programs, and ensuring supportive teaching environments.
The Ontario government is also funding initiatives to increase the number of “home-grown” French Second Language teachers. Canadian Parents for French (Ontario) gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Ontario government enabling it to launch a promotional campaign that is creating awareness among secondary and undergraduate university students of the high demand for FSL teachers in the province.
The SayOui.ca website outlines the pathway to becoming a French Second Language teacher in Ontario and opportunities to boost one’s French language proficiency in preparation for this inspirational and rewarding career.
FACTS on French Second Language education in Ontario:
- Enrollment in French Immersion programs in the province has enjoyed a 5.4% average annual growth rate for 15 consecutive years;
- Over 250,000 students are enrolled in the French Immersion program in 54 of the 60 English school boards;
- Over 775,000 students in 60 English school boards learn French in the Core French program or Extended French program.
Contact:
Betty Gormley, Executive Director
Canadian Parents for French (Ontario)
bgormley@on.cpf.ca
Canadian Parents for French is the national network of volunteers that values French as an integral part of Canada and is dedicated to the promotion and creation of French Second Language learning opportunities for young Canadians.