The intensive English offered at the end of primary school in several Quebec schools does not affect the mastery of written French among weaker students, according to a brand new Quebec study on the subject.
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In the school network, 17% of sixth-grade students follow the intensive English program, which provides that half of the school year is devoted to the language of Justin Bieber. Learning in mathematics, French and other subjects is condensed into five months rather than ten.
In 2011, the Liberal government had wanted to make this program compulsory, but it was finally offered on a voluntary basis after the outcry aroused in the school network.
Teachers’ unions feared that this formula would harm weaker students, just before the big leap to secondary school.
However, a study carried out with 300 fifth and sixth grade students in several regions of Quebec shows that intensive English has no negative effects on the learning of written French, even among the weakest students, says Olivier Dezutter, co-author of this research and professor at the University of Sherbrooke.
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The authors of this study measured students’ writing skills at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. They noted no difference in the learning curves between stronger and weaker students, who progress despite the time spent on English.
Interviews with students have also shown that by being confronted with intensive English learning, young people develop their ability to reflect on the language and how it works, which can help improve their mastery of both languages. .
Intensive English is “a formula that deserves to be offered to everyone, and not just to the more elite classes,” concludes Mr. Dezutter. Many schools select students admitted to Intensive English groups, requiring an overall average of at least 70% or 75% for admission.
However, this study did not measure the impact of intensive English on learning in other subjects, recognizes the professor from the University of Sherbrooke.