This article examines the oral proficiency in French of students in core French, intensive French (IF), and post-IF to determine the effectiveness of these programs. Between 2003 and 2009, students in nine jurisdictions were assessed using the New Brunswick Middle School Scale (MSS). Students were tested prior to beginning IF (multiple grade…

This study investigates performance on oral tasks across two groups of francophone learners with different ESL instruction. It reports on second language (L2) ability gains in intensive instruction and regular instruction. To date, gains in oral proficiency have not been reported in such programs, nor has there been a comparison across two…

This report discusses the findings of an evaluation of the bilingual education program in the schools of the Niagara South Board of Education (Ontario). (DB)

An experiment on second language learning placed college students in a psychology course taught in their second language (English or French) in "sheltered" classes. Comprehension was emphasized. Second language proficiency, self-evaluation, and subject-matter performance gave evidence supporting this approach to second language learning. (MSE)

A follow-up study of a cross-cultural program bringing together French Canadians and native-English-speaking students of French found that fourth, fifth, and sixth grade Anglophone students gained in French language proficiency and in friendships with Francophone peers outside of school. (MSE)

Conversations with six twelfth graders who had been in French immersion since kindergarten found a high rate of incorrect sentences, suggesting a faulty interlanguage fossilized at grade six and a need for immersion program revision. (MSE)

The development of an oral language proficiency rating scale for use in evaluating New Brunswick's junior and senior high school students' core French program achievement is described and discussed. (MSE)

Presents the first report of a three-year evaluation of the impact of French schooling on English-speaking children in Quebec. Focuses on the English language development, French language proficiency, and mathematics achievement of children in the fourth grade. Systematic observations of teaching approaches in the French schools were also carried…

Reports on evaluation studies of the French proficiency of graduates of early- and late-entry immersion programs in Ottawa and Carleton, describes the tests used, and interprets results. The report also examines the students' perceptions of their ability to participate effectively in out-of-school situations using all four language skills. (MSE)

In response to an earlier article on the effectiveness of French immersion, research on immersion, and the best second language teaching approaches for Canadian schools, it is argued that French immersion research has been misinterpreted and misrepresented and that the stated view on second-language teaching is an extreme one. (22 references) (MSE)

Responding to criticism of an article finding fault with research on French immersion instruction, the author of the first article chides researchers for their unwillingness to re-examine their theories in a new context. (24 references) (MSE)

French immersion is seen as a viable alternative to traditional unilingual education. Issues needing to be addressed so that French immersion education can be supported and enhanced as part of a pluralistic approach to language and culture are discussed. (23 references) (Author/MSE)