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.