New Brunswick: French Language Education Plan Revised

The New Brunswick provincial government has revamped its plans for french immersion education responding to parental concerns.

The New Brunswick government has responded to the concerns expressed by parents about the government's plans to change French immersion education. A court ruling that ordered more public consultation provided an avenue for those worried to present their perspective. Education Minister Kelly Lamrock has announced early French immersion will be available to pupils in Grade 3, starting in September 2010. Previously the government had planned to end early French immersion beginning in Grade 1 in the coming school year. French-language training will be available to all students in Grade 5.. An introduction to French language and culture will be available for all students in kindergarten and in their early grades, while a wider range of options for French instruction in high school will also be in the new curriculum. "It is something that is fair, inclusive and bilingual and focused on quality and equality," Premier Shawn Graham said. "New Brunswickers told us almost unanimously that they recognized that our education system could and must be better, that changes were needed." "We have managed to find a plan that we believe will strike the right balance," Lamrock said. The new plan will see students entering Grade 1 will have the option to start French immersion in Grade 3. "In establishing this Grade 3 immersion point, we have to make sure that bilingualism isn't just for a minority in New Brunswick," Lamrock said. Students to start French immersion in Grade 6 if they don't take the option in Grade 3. "There will be a Grade 6 entry point into immersion for students who come later in life to the ability and passion to learn a second language," Lamrock said. The provincial government has said it wants 70 per cent of all high school graduates to be bilingual by 2012.