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Educators
I'm teaching in French because... it's a life of rewards
CPF is dedicated to the promotion and creation of French-second-language learning opportunities for young Canadians. Students, teachers and parents have all benefited from the support that CPF offers. Now CPF would like to show you another great opportunity that is available to you if you have excellent skills in oral and written French.
I'm teaching French because... I have something unique to offer
Choose a Career
If you are thinking about becoming a teacher, or if you're already in a teacher education program but haven't chosen a specific subject to teach, then consider this - teaching French as a Second Language (FSL). The number of FSL teachers in Canada has grown considerably over the last five years, and the demand for FSL teachers continues to increase every year. The Federal Government's continuing commitment to improving the quality and amount of second-language education, teaching FSL at the elementary and high school levels remains a top priority. Here's more good news - depending on your province and the university you plan to attend, you may be eligible for increased grant funding and bursaries if you are studying to be an FSL teacher! Check with your provincial Student Assistance Programs and University Student Awards and Financial Aid Departments to see if you qualify.
Choose Opportunity
Though there are many job opportunities for FSL teachers, the majority of jobs are in teaching Core French and teaching French Immersion. Core French (sometimes called Basic French) is taught as a subject within the English program. The amount of time dedicated to these classes varies from school board to school board across the country. In French Immersion many, if not all, of the subjects are taught in French.
Choose a Community
Teachers enjoy the benefit of belonging to a strong community, not just within their own school, but also in their own Board of Education, province, and across the country. Very few professions offer the level of support available to the individual as being a teacher offers. You get support from your institution and your fellow teachers.
Many Boards of Education offer special opportunities to FSL teachers to encourage ongoing professional development. This is only one indicator as to the importance Boards of Education place on their FSL teachers.
Choose FSL
As an FSL teacher you will have security and/or flexibility in your career. Almost every English-language school board across the country has postings for FSL teachers in either long term, short term or occasional positions at both the elementary and high school levels. The whole country is open to you! The number of job opportunities available to you is limited only by how far you want to travel.
FSL teachers not only teach a second language, they also play an important role in maintaining Canada's cultural identity by promoting bilingualism. This is especially important to students in parts of the country that don't have easy access to both official languages.
Not many jobs or careers can offer you the kind of satisfaction that being an FSL teacher can. Imagine how satisfying it can be to pass on your passion for French to young students. Not only will you be teaching them a new language, but you'll be passing on an appreciation for a part of a culture, introducing them to a part of the world that they may never have discovered otherwise.
What Qualifications Do I Need?
If you have done well in Core French classes or studied in a French Immersion program, and are fluent in written and oral French, then that's a good start. But every province and territory has different requirements for entering their FSL courses. For example, the University of Prince Edward Island, University of Ottawa and the University of British Columbia require applicants to take an oral and written proficiency test. But, they all have slightly different course prerequisites. It is imperative to carefully check with the Faculty of Education of your choice to see what their particular requirements are.
To increase your skill level and chances of being accepted at the teacher education program of your choice, you might want to consider applying to Explore, formerly known as the Summer Language Bursary Program. This program is sponsored by the Council of Ministers of Education. Explore is a five-week program of intensive French language study. A bursary covers the cost of tuition fees, instructional materials, meals, and accommodations. This program is open to university and senior high school students.
For more information and to see if you are eligible, log on to www.cmec.ca/olp.
The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) has overhauled and updated its database of recognized postsecondary institutions in Canada. This database is now accessible at http://www.cicic.ca/postsec/institutions/indexe.stm. Your comments are welcome.
This database is maintained and updated on an ongoing basis in cooperation with the provincial/territorial ministries and departments responsible for education, which are the official source of information about postsecondary institutions in Canada. As such, it is the only authoritative list of all postsecondary institutions that are recognized by the competent jurisdictional authorities in Canada.
Teach in French. Choose a rewarding future.
CPF Brings Partners Together
Canadian Parents for French works in partnership with various organizations and associations in order to promote and create French second language learning opportunities for young Canadians. These partners all have a particular area of focus. With these partnerships, CPF offers you the widest range of support possible.
Canadian Parents for French Partners are:
Official Languages Support Program - The Department of Canadian Heritage's site includes information and resources in support of Canada's linguistic duality and second language learning.
www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/progs/lo-ol
CASLT/ACPLS - The Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers/Association canadienne des professeurs de langues secondes is a non-profit voluntary association that represents all French second language teachers and promotes the advancement of second language teaching throughout Canada by its research and professional development initiatives, its publications and its award-winning website,
www.caslt.org
CAIT/ACPI - Canadian Association of Immersion Teachers/Association canadienne des professeurs d'immersion is a professional non-profit association which aims to promote and improve Immersion programs in Canada and provides professional development opportunities for Immersion teachers.
www.acpi-cait.ca
OCOL - Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages/Commissariat aux Langues Officielles wishes to promote better relations between English-speaking Canadians and French-speaking Canadians.
www.ocol-clo.gc.ca
SEVEC - Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada is a national not-for-profit association which organizes educational visits and exchanges for students aged 11 to 18.
www.sevec.ca
Links
www.langcanada.ca - An abundance of educational resources, educational materials, training organizations and information that enhances second official language teaching and learning in Canada. Second language teachers can search for professional development courses to enhance their careers, or learn about various workshops and education-related associations.
This brochure was produced by Canadian Parents for French in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers and the Canadian Association of Immersion Teachers.
Financial assistance was provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage. CPF works in partnership with the following national organizations:
Department of Canadian Heritage
www.pch.gc.ca
Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers
www.caslt.org
Canadian Association of Immersion Teachers
www.acpi-cait.ca
Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
www.ocol-clo.gc.ca
The Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada
www.sevec.ca
Canadian School Boards Association
www.cdnsba.org
La Commission nationale des parents francophones
www.cnpf.ca
Fédération de la jeunesse canadienne-française
www.fjcf.ca
French for the Future
www.french-future.org
Les Rendez-vous de la Francophonie
www.rendezvousfrancophonie.com