SUBSCRIBE FOR ONLY $16.99!

The Promise of Bilingualism in Canada

Advertisement

Originally published in TEACH Magazine, 50th Anniversary of the Official Languages Act Special Issue, 2019

By Christine L. Cho

From a young age, I wanted to be bilingual in English and French. I am not, however. It is a big regret that I am working to rectify. I started off in an environment that should have been conducive to bilingualism: I started French language instruction in the Alberta school I attended when I was 5 years old. I remember playing lots of verbal games and having fun.

I also had maternal grandparents living in Montreal who had a working knowledge of French and would teach me a few phrases over the telephone. My neighbour and best friend was francophone and I used to enjoy hearing her speak with her family. My father studied both French and German at school and would relish starting small French conversations at the dinner table (to which my mother strongly objected as she had received no French language instruction in school).

When we moved to Ontario, French instruction started in Grade 6 and it was very different. We had livres and cahiers. We asked and answered the same questions every class: Comment t’appelles-tu? Quelle est la date, aujourd’hui? Quel temps fait-il? We conjugated verbs and wrote sentences in our cahiers.

Despite this sharp contrast in instruction, I stuck with French, all through high school, even being placed in Enriched French in Grade 11. The bulk of my education, however, had heavily favoured grammar and mechanics. We spoke in class, but it was to answer questions for which a person could rehearse the response. We were not engaging in conversation, certainly not the kind that could help you outside of the classroom. Hence, during my first trip to Montreal, I felt like I didn’t understand anything. I could read and write but my oral skills were dreadful.

I was not becoming the bilingual person I thought I should have been by this time. My confidence was lost and I gave up trying to learn any more. What I did not give up on was the idea of bilingualism nor the belief that Canadians should speak more than one language and hopefully, both official languages.

Subscribe to Keep Reading

🔑 You’re one step away from unlocking premium content.
Subscribe now for just $15.99/year and get full access!
If you’re already subscribed, please .

Christine L. Cho, PhD, is a Professor at Nipissing University’s Schulich School of Education. A practicing visual artist and a former elementary school teacher, Christine utilizes visual media and critical pedagogy to expand upon diverse ways of knowing. Her research contributes to current educational conversations on racial, ethnic, linguistic, and LGBTQ+ representation in schools.

Education News

Talking Educational Equity with Bush Fellow Marvis Kilgore

A dedicated teacher and educational equity strategist, Marvis Kilgore is passionate about increasing Black male representation in teaching. In our conversation, he shares his vision for transforming education.

Student Sleep Health Week Highlights the Powerful Connection Between Sleep and Well-Being

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is hosting its sixth annual Student Sleep Health Week from September 15–19, bringing together families, educators, and community groups to highlight the importance of healthy sleep for students of all ages.

Supporting the Next Generation of AI-Native Learners

The question is no longer should students use AI, but rather: What skills do we equip students with to prepare them for a future where AI is a part of their life?

New Book Offers the First Comprehensive History of Sex Ed in America

Sex ed in schools is about much more than just health. It’s about reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender equity—and it matters now more than ever.

Join Our Newsletter

Join now for a chance to win 1 of 2 $25 Indigo e-gift cards this month!

Christine L. Cho
Christine L. Cho
Christine L. Cho, PhD, is a Professor at Nipissing University’s Schulich School of Education. A practicing visual artist and a former elementary school teacher, Christine utilizes visual media and critical pedagogy to expand upon diverse ways of knowing. Her research contributes to current educational conversations on racial, ethnic, linguistic, and LGBTQ+ representation in schools.

Advertisement

Read More

The Value of Accessing Professional Development in Your First Years of Teaching

After my first week of being in a long-term occasional role, it became very clear to me that learning about being in the classroom is not the same as actually being in the classroom.

Talking Educational Equity with Bush Fellow Marvis Kilgore

A dedicated teacher and educational equity strategist, Marvis Kilgore is passionate about increasing Black male representation in teaching. In our conversation, he shares his vision for transforming education.

Student Sleep Health Week Highlights the Powerful Connection Between Sleep and Well-Being

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is hosting its sixth annual Student Sleep Health Week from September 15–19, bringing together families, educators, and community groups to highlight the importance of healthy sleep for students of all ages.

Supporting the Next Generation of AI-Native Learners

The question is no longer should students use AI, but rather: What skills do we equip students with to prepare them for a future where AI is a part of their life?

Break the Ice: The Ultimate Back-to-School Toolkit

Here are six simple icebreaker activities, as recommended by K–12 educators, that are sure to help make this back-to-school season your best one yet.

How to Tame a Chaotic School Cafeteria: 7 Tips for Managing Lunchroom Behavior

Let’s face it—most staff don’t willingly volunteer for cafeteria duty. But with a few thoughtful tweaks, lunch doesn’t have to be the noisiest, most dreaded 30 minutes of the day.
donde puedes ganar dinero real en internet | robar maquina tragamonedas | casino majestic | como se juega la baraja | clams casino | versus ruleta en vivo | 5 high casino | casino deportes | cuantas cartas tiene la baraja inglesa | telefono caliente | casino monclova | sportscaliente | casino de saltillo | manos de poker | el casino del diablo hermosillo | 13 ruleta rusa latino | como ganar dinero en una maquina de casino | bingo gg bet en línea | casino dubai palace | las vegas casino | viejas casino & resort | casino victorense | bono sin deposito | juegos de casino en linea | casinos online confiables | pullman cuernavaca casino | amazon reseñas ganar dinero | quick hit slot machine | ganar dinero manualidades con reciclaje para vender | casino royale | casino codere doctores | casino cerca de mi | spin ruleta online | winclub | caliente online | rollover | tragamonedas | casino mundo e | hotel casino en las vegas | cashman slots | casino zodiac | luxor casino | 7 mile casino | casino joy tepic | casino san nicolas | colo ganar dinero por internet | casinos bonos bienvenida gratis sin depósito en méxico 2021 | manos poker | como funciona caliente mx | calientecasimo | tycoon casino | 1xbet mexico | jugar tragamonedas diamante gratis | winners | coin slot | hollywood entertainment casino constitución | casinos en cdmx | slot meaning | casino san pedro | ruleta casino mesa | el casino del diablo dibujo | casinos cd juarez | donde jugar casino online | juegos tradicionales de mexico | ruleta didactico juegos de convivencia | ruleta de dinero como funciona | sunscape curacao resort spa & casino | como ganar dinero extra en mexico |