The promotion of the cognitive, cultural, economic and employment benefits of learning French as a Second Language (FSL) has contributed to the rising enrolment in FSL programs. As a common roadblock to expanding FSL programming in local school boards and communities is the lack of supply of qualified FSL teachers. Canadian Parents for French has long monitored the situation and struggles of school districts / boards across the country in maintaining a sufficient supply of qualified French as a second language (FSL) teachers to respond to continually-increasing demand for French immersion programs as well as more core French and intensive French program options.
Read our 2018 FSL Teacher Supply and Demand in Canada Position Paper:
In 2019, OCOL released a report entitled Accessing Opportunity: A study on challenges in FSL education teacher supply and demand in Canada which stated that without addressing the challenges in FSL teacher supply and demand, it is unlikely that access to FSL education will improve and, consequently, unlikely that the overall English/French bilingualism rates among non-Francophones will increase in the foreseeable future.
The federal government, Investing in Our Future 2018-23 Action Plan for Official Languages, announced an investment of $31.29 million in recruiting and retaining teachers for French immersion and French as a second language. Canadian Parents for French applied for and received funding for several initiatives to help address this issue. CPF National has the role of creating an overarching public education campaign, focused on the primary purpose behind choosing a career in teaching, that of positively impacting others. CPF Branches are rolling out several public awareness campaigns to attract students to consider a career as French teachers, and include:
A Literature Review on Issues, Challenges, and Strategies for French as a Second Language Teachers.
Faced with high French as a second language (FSL) teacher attrition, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers have been searching for and creating strategies to increase retention in the profession. In addition to chronicling these efforts, this report offers a detailed review of research on teacher recruitment. Each section begins with an introduction and follows with a list of key findings and recommendations. Studies reviewed are organized to narrow the focus from general education to second language and FSL teachers. This report is essential to everyone concerned with the issue of FSL teacher attrition and looking for evidence-based strategies to enhance recruitment and retention.
In Manitoba
Retention of New Teachers in Minority French and French Immersion Programs in Manitoba
The purpose of this study was to determine whether new teacher attrition is a reality in minority French and French immersion programs in Manitoba and, if so, what factors pose challenges to new teachers.
CPF Branches are rolling out several public awareness campaigns to attract students to consider a career as French teachers, and include:
Teach in French – Give the Gift of Language & Culture – CPF Manitoba is enhancing the recruitment and retention of French immersion teachers while also encouraging youth to learn about the career options as a FSL teacher through interactive and informative virtual classroom presentations and a website.
SAYOUI.CA – CPF Ontario launched a new website with the goal to inform secondary and undergraduate students and inspire them to consider a career as a French Teacher. The project will also involve a campaign and strategic outreach efforts to support faculties of education in Ontario to attract more applicants.
Take Your Career Further as a French Teacher – CPF Nova Scotia launched a social media campaign (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn) and is developing a new website targeting university students. The goal is to raise awareness among university students about the potential career enhancements if they complete a Bachelor or Education with a French teachable.
Be a French Teacher – C’est ta route – Edmonton Public Schools and CPF Alberta want to encourage and engage students to consider a career as a French Teacher. The new website launched in April 2021 and will support promotion efforts and provide necessary tools to interested students.
Teach In French – Fulfill your raison d’être with a rewarding career teaching French. See how other teachers have felt the positive impact it can make!