Canadian universities are not doing enough to support bilingualism, according to a recent report by Graham Fraser, Canada's commissioner of official languages. The 2009 study, called "Two Languages, A World of Opportunities: Second-Language Learning in Canada's Universities," assessed 84 institutions and determined that universities generally do not see bilingualism as a priority, and lack intensive language learning opportunities such as immersion programs.
Catherine Stace, CAPS career advisor, said that she doesn't believe in forcing people to learn a language and that the practice is generally unsuccessful. She argued that motivation to learn a second language depends on the personality of the individual, and that making language learning mandatory at the university level could therefore prove ineffective.
Owen Ripley, a peer counselor for McGill's Career Planning Services, said that in terms of career opportunities, being bilingual is certainly a beneficial skill, but the skill's usefulness rests on the context and geographic region.
"It depends what job you are looking for," said Ripley. "If you are planning to work in Montreal after graduation, you will need French and English."
Also, to work for the federal and sometimes the provincial government, one is expected to have a knowledge of both official Canadian languages. However, working in the private sector on the west coast, for example, does not necessarily require the same language skills.
Both Stace and Ripley agreed that universities have a role to play in encouraging and offering resources to students to facilitate language learning for those that so desire, but that making it mandatory may be unsuccessful.
"Instead, universities need to provide the right activities in which students can practice language," said Stace. "If institutions facilitate registration in language courses - so that there are more program options and less of an impact on students' GPAs - this could increase the students' initiative for becoming bilingual."
As for McGill, Ripley said that "there are resources available through and outside McGill to help students learn French or English as a second language." These include the McGill language centre, which promotes courses in both French and English, and the Quebec Studies program, which its students say has vastly improved their French skills. Furthermore, at McGill, any student can write their examinations in either French or English.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Frank Blackwood
posted 11/24/09 @ 9:14 AM EST
I,m not sure if making language mandatory really makes a difference. I would think that most of our students speak English.Again,there are many students who speak three or four languages. (Continued…)
Lawrence DePoe
posted 11/24/09 @ 3:13 PM EST
I think that there is a context to Graham Fraser's comments, that of choice in our future. In Quebec thousands of Anglophone and other students graduate from French Immersion programs, then have to choose to continue their studies in French or English. (Continued…)
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