L’usage de l’anglais dans une école de langue française en milieu minoritaire : un véritable enjeu ?

Abstract

This article presents the results of a study whose goal was to support French language learners and their teachers, in kindergarten classes in a French language school in Ontario. Data were collected through classroom observations and interviews with the teachers and early childhood educators, who also participated in a professional learning community addressing the needs of French language learners. The participants revealed that language use was their biggest concern. The majority of these teachers and early childhood educators indicated that participation in the professional learning community influenced their use of English in class. The participants stated that they had increased consciousness and confidence in students’ ability to learn French without the use of English, which motivated them to progressively reduce their English use while encouraging students’ French use.