Go to http://globalnews.ca/news/2061906/n-b-languages-commissioner-says-bilingualism-should-be-required-for-senior-public-servants/ to see and hear our ridiculous language commissioner. She is coming from completely the wrong perspective. Changes to improve bilingualism does not come from the top, it comes from the bottom. As the Wayne Grant story tells us, schools are failing utterly and completely to teach French to anglophone children. I know many parents who thought they were doing the right thing putting their children into French immersion, only to find sub-standard education and literacy skills that left their children behind in basic, necessary subjects like mathematics. New Brunswick has, historically, the lowest education standards in Canada. The government agenda seems to be: those with money and power make sure their kids are fluently bilingual to get the "best" jobs. As we saw with Shawn Graham, speaking French did not make him a good politician or an honest man. In light of Graham's disastrous premiership Ms. d'Entrement's response to the question that we want the best politicians, whether they can speak French or not, is ridiculous. She wants bilingual not competent - they are two very different things. We currently have a French premiere, Attorney General and Language Commissioner. Let's have a think and try to guess what their interests are... Driving language education in this province should be business oriented. French is NOT an internationally useful business language. The five most useful languages (which have not changed for many years) are: ENGLISH above all others, Spanish and Portuguese, Mandarin (Chinese) and Russian. Even German comes above French in the international arena. If the Government of New Brunswick wants to grow its international business, and encourage investment and new business, DITCH THE FRENCH other than as an art form and in respect for French heritage.
I became bilingual just by living in another country. Within seven years even my dreams were in that language and my two young children were bilingual at 2 and 5 years of age. The best thing is for French and English children to spend social time with each other - on the bus to school would be good! The other necessity is, of course, that the GNB starts educating out children. Learning languages should be fun and a pleasure. That is only possible when children become able and confident in a second language. That ain't happening in New Brunswick for French or English students. Our Attorney General Serge Rousselle is a shining example of a failure to be competent in two languages. His English is appalling. As the Language Commissioner said - the example must come from the top - send Serge to English classes, please!!!
In post @13:45 it says "She wants bilingual not competent - they are two very different things...." I don't think we have enough of either in our provincial government. They are all useless.
Go to http://globalnews.ca/news/2061906/n-b-languages-commissioner-says-bilingualism-should-be-required-for-senior-public-servants/ to see and hear our ridiculous language commissioner. She is coming from completely the wrong perspective. Changes to improve bilingualism does not come from the top, it comes from the bottom. As the Wayne Grant story tells us, schools are failing utterly and completely to teach French to anglophone children. I know many parents who thought they were doing the right thing putting their children into French immersion, only to find sub-standard education and literacy skills that left their children behind in basic, necessary subjects like mathematics. New Brunswick has, historically, the lowest education standards in Canada. The government agenda seems to be: those with money and power make sure their kids are fluently bilingual to get the "best" jobs. As we saw with Shawn Graham, speaking French did not make him a good politician or an honest man. In light of Graham's disastrous premiership Ms. d'Entrement's response to the question that we want the best politicians, whether they can speak French or not, is ridiculous. She wants bilingual not competent - they are two very different things. We currently have a French premiere, Attorney General and Language Commissioner. Let's have a think and try to guess what their interests are... Driving language education in this province should be business oriented. French is NOT an internationally useful business language. The five most useful languages (which have not changed for many years) are: ENGLISH above all others, Spanish and Portuguese, Mandarin (Chinese) and Russian. Even German comes above French in the international arena. If the Government of New Brunswick wants to grow its international business, and encourage investment and new business, DITCH THE FRENCH other than as an art form and in respect for French heritage.
ReplyDeleteI became bilingual just by living in another country. Within seven years even my dreams were in that language and my two young children were bilingual at 2 and 5 years of age. The best thing is for French and English children to spend social time with each other - on the bus to school would be good! The other necessity is, of course, that the GNB starts educating out children. Learning languages should be fun and a pleasure. That is only possible when children become able and confident in a second language. That ain't happening in New Brunswick for French or English students. Our Attorney General Serge Rousselle is a shining example of a failure to be competent in two languages. His English is appalling. As the Language Commissioner said - the example must come from the top - send Serge to English classes, please!!!
ReplyDeleteIn post @13:45 it says "She wants bilingual not competent - they are two very different things...." I don't think we have enough of either in our provincial government. They are all useless.
ReplyDelete