What they found after analyzing new data is that mastering the French language by the end of high school is a guarantee of success in college. In fact, 84% of students who scored more than 75% in the only French exam in secondary school 5 leave CEGEP with a diploma. But hardly every second student with a poor grade will successfully complete his university career.
” The committee believes that mastering language skills is a cornerstone of college success. »
In addition, one in four students fails their first French course at CEGEP. And the main difficulties in the unified French test, the success of which is necessary for the university degree, are mainly related to deficiencies in written French, the experts confirm.
Teach French at school
The first of the committee’s 35 recommendations is for the systematic teaching of language concepts in universities, which is currently not the case. Language classes should be taught in elementary and secondary schools, but these classes should continue in colleges
explains Marie-Claude Boivin, professor of French teaching at the University of Montreal and co-author of the report.
” Written language proficiency can be learned well beyond secondary school. It’s a lifetime! »
The report also recommends a wider use of electronic writing and digital proofreading tools and better training of teaching staff in the use of available technological tools.
Arouse enthusiasm for the French language
The co-authors point out that in order to improve the language skills and success of CEGEP students, it is also necessary to inspire Quebecers’ enthusiasm for their language by increasing its value from the very beginning of their school career. A positive relationship of students with their language should start in primary school, intensify in secondary education (…) and continue in higher education
write the experts.
” The Committee firmly believes that all of Quebec society must renew its commitment with energy and enthusiasm so that the French language is truly a treasure at the heart of society life. »
Concrete measures should be taken to invest francophone culture in higher education
we add to the document of hundred pages.
A report whose release has been delayed
Godeliva Debeurme, retired professor at the University of Sherbrooke, Marie-Claude Boivin, full professor at the University of Montreal, and Lison Chabot, retired director of studies at Cégep de Beauce-Appalaches, were mandated in the fall of 2021 to make recommendations to the Ministry of Higher Education to raise proficiency in French among college students.
The then Minister for Higher Education, Danielle McCann, was concerned at the time about the mastery of French in higher education.
Four months later, in January 2022, the three experts submitted their report to Minister McCann. However, this was not published until Friday morning. This delay has raised questions from several stakeholders in the education sector who are eagerly awaiting the content of the report and are struggling to understand why it was not released earlier.
Radio-Canada made a request for information in the summer of 2022 for a copy of this report, but it was denied. According to the reasoning, these were documents from the minister’s office or drawn up on his behalf and the decision-making processes were still ongoing.
Why was the release of the report delayed? This is a question that should be put to the Minister for Higher Education
replied Marie-Claude Boivin cautiously.
The new Minister for Higher Education, Pascale Déry, will comment on the submission of this report a little later on Friday.
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