DID YOU KNOW CON'T

This is the conclusion reached by William McEachern ot U.B.C.
following a study condéucted recently in Victoria. A questionnaire to
parents of Kindergarten children in that district revealed thet, "there
is a general malaise felt by the parents of English languege Kindergarten
children witn respect to the overall growth of children in French immersion.
This may be a result of either misinformation or 4 lack of information
concerning overall school achievement ana personal growth of children in
such a program."

The questionnaire was designed to measure parental attitudes towards
bilingualism, their child's ability to be successful (cognitively,
emotionally, and socially) in a French immersion program, and children's
progress in English language skills and other subjects while enrolled in
French immersion. The effect of the availability of the immersion classes
ard the cost of transportation was also measured,

Parents of children in Englisn Kindergarten expressed much wore
concern than the immersion parents about the effect of French immersion on
chilaren's progress in Imglish language arts and other cu:riculum ereas.
Other factors which seemed to influence their choice of program included a
perception that their children wouls have greater adjustment problems in
immersion, that the program would be too difficult, and that the children
might suffer emotionally. Attitudes towards bilingualism and tne
availability of Frencen immersicn did not diifer greatly ctetween the two groups.

The questionnaire was districuted to parents of 82 immersion Kindergarten
students and a random sample of 10% of the parents of the 1500 inglish-program
Kindergarten students. 64.63% of the immersion parents and 51.33% of the
ingiish progrem parents replied. The researcher is an assistant professor
in the Faculty of Zduecstion, University of British Colwibia.

BHAA GEMM HBR ARAHRERERARARARRRAN .
As of April 1, 1980, CPF had 1963 paid memberships. The largest group -
539 - was in B.C. and over half - 1088 - were from the four western provinces
and the two territories. The majority of these membersnips include coth
spouses. “
HARKER ERH I TRE MAAN HEE AEEUAEHEAMEKRN
Les Castors held its first annuel Rencontre Castors, united troupes of
Castors from Victoria, Burnaby, and Mailleraville for a Jamboree on Saturday,
May 24th in Coquitlam Burnaby and Maillardville, as the hosts, provided
lunch for the visiting boys and girls and leeders from Victoria.
FEMA HAHANEKEREN HHRMA ENKEI
The Burnaby School DSoard is taking a new step!! Registrations for a grade 6
Late Immersion class are now being taken. Any parents wishing more inform-
ation or registration forms are urged to contact the French Co-ordinator
Mme. Morelli, 299-8464, as soon as possible.
. HRI MIN AIEEE RAHA REWER RHIAN
In September approximately 15 Whitehorse children between the ages of 4 and
T, began attenaing french immersion classes vased on the B.C. French
Inmersion Kindergarten programme. The classes are offered by an experien-
cea immersion teacher and a multilingual mother of three young children.
HMA RE HK WEINER NERA HERE ENEARARAENHKNS

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This newSletter was meade possible by a grant fran tne office
of the Secretary of state.