This study examines the effect of teaching mathematics in French on mathematics achievement evaluated in English. In this context it analyzes the effect of increased intensity of bilingual education on mathematics achievement. It also analyzes the effects of language of testing in the context of French immersion at the intermediate level. The participants in the study are two cohorts of French immersion pupils followed from Grades 4-7. The treatment group received 80% of the core academic curriculum, including mathematics, in French and 20% in English. The comparison group received 50% of the core academic curriculum in French and 50%, including mathematics, in English. Achievement in mathematics was measured for both groups at the end of Grade 6. Analyses of covariance showed an advantage in mathematics for the 80% French group compared to the 50% French group. These results provide further evidence for Cummins' threshold hypothesis and interdependence hypothesis.
We examined standards used by Canadian universities and British Columbia school districts to verify the language competence of French Immersion (FI) teachers in a time of teacher shortage, confirmed by 56 per cent of school districts surveyed. Parents and Directors of Human Resources agreed on their minimum expectations about French teachers' qualifications in FI schools. We found no guarantee for this level of teachers' competence because of heterogeneity in universities and school districts language measures and lack of validity and reliability for many of those measures. This may result in lowering teaching quality in FI programs.
Cette étude examine les croyances et les pratiques d’enseignants de la maternelle relativement à deux prédicteurs clés de la réussite de l’apprentissage de la lecture : les habiletés métaphonologiques et la connaissance des lettres. Un questionnaire, acheminé à 508 enseignants franco-québécois, a permis d’obtenir 195 réponses à une question ouverte concernant le sujet à l’étude. Traitées à l’aide d’une analyse de contenu, ces réponses révèlent que les enseignants font part de croyances et de pratiques variées. Tous les enseignants favorables à la connaissance des lettres et au développement d’habiletés métaphonologiques s’entendent sur la nécessité de procéder à un éveil de la lecture et non à un enseignement systématique. Par ailleurs, certains expriment un désir de formation professionnelle en ce domaine.This study examines the beliefs and practices of Kindergarten teachers regarding two key predictors of success in learning to read : metaphonological skills and alphabet knowledge. A questionnaire, to which 508 Franco-Quebec teachers responded, provided 195 responses to an open-ended question related to this theme. Based on an analysis of content, these responses reveal that teachers have a variety of beliefs and practices. All those who supported the importance of letter knowledge and the development of metaphonological skills agree with the importance of developing reading awareness and not with that of systematic teaching. As well, some teachers expressed the need for professional in-service training in this field.Este estudio examina las creencais y las prácticas de los maestros de maternal respecto de dos elementos clave en la predicción para el eprendizaje de la lectura : las habilidades metafonológicas y el conocimiento de las letras. Un cuestionario, enviado a 508 maestros franco-quebenquenses, permitió obtener 195 respuestas a una pregunta abierta respecto del sujeto de estudio. Tratadas por medio del analisis de contenido, esta respuestas revelan que los maestros poseen creencias y prácticas variadas. Todos aquellos que son favorables al conocimiento de las letras y al desarrollo de habilidades metafonológicas, concuerdan en la necesidad de proceder a una sensibilización a la lectura y no a una enseñanza sistemática. Algunos, además, expresan el deseo de tener una formación profesional en este dominio.Dieser Beitrag untersucht die Auffassungen und Praktiken von Vorschulerziehern im Hinblick auf die vermuteten Schlüsselelemente beim Erwerb der Lesefähigkeit, nämlich metaphonologische Fähigkeiten und Kenntnis der Buchstaben. Ein an 508 frankophone Erzieher in Québec verschickter Fragebogen mit einer frei zu beantwortenden Frage zum Thema erbrachte 195 Antworten. Eine Inhaltsanalyse der Antworten ergaben unterschiedliche Praktiken und Auffassungen. Alle Erzieher, die sich für das Erlernen von Buchstaben und für metaphonologische Fähigkeiten ausgesprochen haben, sind sich darüber einig, dass ein langsames Erwecken des Lektüreinteresses einem systematischen Lehren vorzuziehen sei. Einige Erzieher äußerten ...
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