ee | 170376 CANADIAN PARENTS FOR FRENCH The British Columbia Chapter : Issue No. 8 | ; Rebruary, 1980 Perceptions of Immersion- -- -in Coquitlam In June, 1979, parents of 61 grade 5 end 6 students enrolled in Coquitlam's early French immersion program were asked to complete a questionnaire dealing with their perceptions and opinions of the program.* The 34 responses were very positive and supportive. Almost 211 (31) of the parents indicated thet they would meke the decision to enroll their children in immersion again, and 32 said that they would like to see their children continue in the program, The two "undecided parents cited practical problems with transportation, isoletion from neighborhood friends, and so on. Eleven of the 34 students do not attend their neighborhood school. When asked how much of the School day should be devoted to instruction in French, the parents answered: Grades six and seven Grades eight - ten 40 = 50% French --17 40 -50% French --19 50 = 70% French --14 : 50 -70% French --11 over 70% French -= 3 over 70% French -- 2 The Coquitlam district presently gives 50% instruction in grades 4 to 7 and 40-56% in grades 8 = 10. Over half of the parents indicated that they or their children have not encountered any problems or difficulties specifically related to the immersion program. Of the others, four mentioned isoletion of immersion children from other children in school or fron neighbouhood children, three mentioned not being able to understend the child's homework or to relate to or converse with the child in French, and two commented thet there was some teasing from other children or negative attitudes of some people in the community. A variety of reasons were given for enrolling the children in French immersion. Those most often cited: - to preserve the child's French heritage and/or so that the child could communicate better with French-speaking relatives -desire for the child to become bilingual or learn a second language - So that the child would have better opportunities in the future and/or in future employment ~- for the challenge and/or opportunity the program provided - everyone should know a second language - a second languege is an asset, enhances a child's life . Many parents mentioned thet their children did not use much French at home (English was given as the language most often spoken in the home by all but two parents).