The State of French-Second-Language in Canada 2003

The online version of the 2003 FSL report has been divided by Chapters. When you click on the link below to open the report, you will able to read or download the first 6 pages. To read or download the rest of the report, please follow these directions:

1. Scroll to Page 3.
2. Go to the "Table of Contents", located on the entire left side of the page.
3. Click on the title of the Chapter you want to read or download.
4. To return to the "Table of Contents", scroll back to Page 1 of the Chapter.
5. Click on "Table of Contents" on the left side of the page.

What is the report about?

This is the fourth in a series of annual reports on how French second-language (FSL) programs are faring across the country. Support for FSL programs exists at four interconnected levels: national, provincial/territorial, school district, and school. The State of FSL provides information to the decision makers and advocates for FSL programs about the quality of national and provincial support for FSL programs offered to Canadian students.

What is in the 2003 report?

The 2003 report offers a variety of highlights and initiatives across the country and internationally. There is a review of provincial/territorial and national support for FSL programs since 2002.

The report provides an anticipated update of the 2002 FSL Teacher Shortage Study. Included is a 'bellwether' survey of knowledgeable informants who offer their perceptions and predictions in this area.

As outlined in the 2002 report, this year's report explores international immersion programs and their links to the Canadian immersion model.

Provincial/Territorial FSL enrolment 1999-2002 and an analysis of growth in provincial/territorial FSL enrolment has been examined.

Included is a description of a methodology to study attrition with an invitation to stakeholders/researchers to comment on possibilities for future attrition studies using FSL enrolment by grade and by type of FSL program.

How was the report created?

The 2003 report was created with the participation and cooperation of CPF branches across the country. CPF branches gathered information regarding FSL in each province and territory with the co-operation of ministries of education, while CPF National gathered information with the co-operation of Canadian Heritage.

A volunteer National Task Force was organized to assist in the development of this report. The CPF National Board of Directors, Branch Presidents and Executive Directors reviewed the report at its draft stage, providing verification of the material published in the report.

CPF National FSL Task Force

-Ian Richmond, PhD, President CPF
-Richard Julien, PhD, National Board Member CPF
-Evy Millan, National Board Member CPF
-Paul Caron, Retired FSL Co-ordinator
-Ainsley Rose, Canadian Association of School Administrators
-Doug Hart, PhD, Institutional Researcher, OISE, University of Toronto
-Margaret Oldfield, M.E. Des., Research - Writing - Editing, Toronto
-Joan Hawkins, Manager of Research and Development, CPF

Research and Writing

-FSL Teacher Shortage Study and Enrolment indicators
Doug Hart, PhD Institutional Researcher, OISE, University of Toronto

Dr. Hart received his PhD in Sociology from York University in 1981 and is currently an institutional researcher with the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. Dr. Hart 's background includes research into student performance and attrition in French immersion programs, assessment of the effectiveness of teacher education programs and teacher performance, as well as workplace literacy. Recent projects and publications include: (2002) Teacher Shortage Survey, State of FSL Report (2001) Building Momentum. Finding Champions, a research consultancy with the Ontario Literacy Coalition; (2000) French Immersion Students' Performance on Grade 3 Provincial Tests: Potential Impacts on Program Design; (1999) Beck, C., Hart, D. and Kosnik, C. Effective Teaching Practices: Final Report to the Education Quality and Accountability Office; and (1999) Effective Teaching Practices. Dr. Hart has been associated with the OISE/UT public opinion survey of educational issues since its inception in 1978.

-International Immersion and Administration of Teacher Shortage Questionnaire
Margaret Oldfield, M.E. Des., Research - Writing - Editing, Toronto

Margaret Oldfield is a Toronto-based research consultant, editor and writer.
She received her master's degree in social planning from the University of
Calgary in 1991. Ms. Oldfield has worked with universities and non-profit
organizations on issues ranging from education to employment, from housing
to healthcare. In the area of education, she collaborated with Dr. Doug Hart
of OISE/UT on CPF's FSL Teacher Shortage Survey in 2002 and 2003, and in
research on teacher professional development and university performance
indicators. Ms. Oldfield also contributed to research on teacher education.
Two recent reports include Models of Doctoral Programs in Education (2002)
for the Task Group Advising the Aga Khan University, Pakistan and Youth
Literacy Resource Kit (1998) for the Ontario Literacy Coalition.

-Provincial and National Support for FSL Education and Enrolment Statistics
Joan Hawkins, Manager of Research and Development, CPF National Staff

What is CPF?

Canadian Parents for French (CPF) is the national network of volunteers which values French as an integral part of Canada and which is dedicated to the promotion and creation of French second language learning opportunities for young Canadians.

CPF has been Canada's leading force in support for FSL programs since its founding in 1977. CPF creates and promotes opportunities for young Canadian to learn and use French as a second language. CPF is a registered charitable organization with a volunteer board supported by professional staff. Branches work at the provincial and territorial level to facilitate the work of some 170 local chapters in communities across the country.

Would you like a hard copy of this report?

To obtain a hard copy of the report make sure to contact the CPF Branch nearest you. For a list of CPF Branches and contact information, click here.

The State of French-Second-Language in Canada 2003

State of FSL 2003

School District QUESTIONNAIRE: FSL Teacher Shortage

Please note that the report is provided in Adobe Acrobat Reader format. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, it can be downloaded free of charge from Adobe: