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President’s Message: Susan Forrester
Summer 2010
As I write this message, it is mid-summer, sweltering hot and humid. Most classrooms and schools are very likely abandoned by staff and students. After working extra long hours from September to June, spending all too many evenings, Saturdays and Sundays preparing units, marking work, and writing reports, it is a crucial time for teachers to rest, explore other interests, and reconnect with family and friends.
For many, summer is a time when teachers become students. Demonstrating their commitment to life-long learning, teachers enrol in summer institutes and courses all across Ontario and beyond. OMLTA Directors Carmen Romero and Jenn Rochon led OTF summer sessions for teachers of Spanish and FSL, respectively. On July 19th, forty FSL teachers embarked on a learning adventure called “Projet à Québec”, with OMLTA Directors and co-coordinators, Janet Smith and Kim Lundquist.
On the home page of the OMLTA website you will find a description of “Projet à Québec” and the related research report carried out by University of Western Ontario researchers Dr. Suzanne Majhanovich and Maureen Smith from 2007-2009. The findings of this report make interesting reading, and I highly recommend you peruse it at your leisure. I would, however, like to highlight parts of the research results for you here.
Re: Satisfaction of participants:
“The success of this project is reflected in the absence of dissatisfaction amongst the participants. All of the teachers expressed overall satisfaction with their participation in the project. 50% of the participants expressed being satisfied with the project format and 50% stated that the project exceeded their expectations. In a relatively short period of time, 12 days, 100% of the participants believe themselves to be more confident communicating in French.”
Re: Use of French in class
“The responses in the post questionnaire which was completed at the end of the course show a shift in the percentage of time they considered appropriate to teach in the target language. 19% intend to teach 35 – 50% of the time in French while 65 % have increased this time between 60 – 90%. The remaining percentage shows no change largely because they identified 90-100% as a response in the pre questionnaire. Their experiences confirmed their belief that the use of the target language as the language of instruction is desirable.”
Re: Increase in confidence, oral fluency, cultural awareness
The gains indicated by the participants in their oral fluency and their cultural understanding of the region at the end of the course have been reported as maintained. The period of six to ten months following the teachers’ French immersion course was reported as successful in favouring the change the teacher participants wished to initiate in their teaching. All of the teachers have reported feeling more validated and note a greater confidence in themselves as French language teacher educators. Many reported that their colleagues have noticed a confidence and assurance that wasn’t there before. One teacher shared: “Yes, there are many changes in my confidence as an FSL teacher. My oral speaking has improved and my realization that French is a fabulous, alive culture that will only be transmitted by FSL teachers. It is imperative that we keep the flame alight in the hearts of our students if the second solitude of Canada is ever to be truly understood. Also since Canada has two official languages, we must continue to teach this beautiful language and keep the opportunities of travel and openness/awareness of the French culture in our students' minds and hearts.”
Re: Impact on students, classroom practice, job satisfaction
The teachers’ positive assurance has directly affected the students’ willingness to learn French in their classes. One teacher shared “I'm sure my love of the language is noticed by the kids, if not in an outward way, at least subliminally. I have VERY few kids with a "French sucks" attitude.” Many veteran teachers describe themselves as reclaiming the joy of teaching French Core and are mentoring new FSL teachers in their region. One teacher has changed schools in order to effect a change in that teaching environment. The teachers contemplating leaving the profession have remained teaching French Core and express satisfaction with their jobs. Commonly the participants attribute increased confidence, renewed passion for the language as the impetus for setting new goals for their students and themselves. Most of the teachers expressed surprise at the minimal resistance by their students to this increase in the use of the target language in their classes.
I would like to thank the researchers, Dr. Suzanne Majhanovich and Maureen Smith, for their work on this project. It is clear that the OMLTA “Projet à Québec” initiative has made a positive impact on the lives of many teachers and their students.
Sincerely,
Susan Forrester
OMLTA President, March 2010 – March 2011
Incoming President Message
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as President of the OMLTA; it is an honour and a privilege which I take very seriously.
The OMLTA functions very much as a team. I am grateful to be able to draw on the expertise of past president, Linda Hendry, and we welcome to the Board two new Directors: Jimmy Steele, (Toronto DSB), and Jayne Evans (Niagara Catholic DSB), who has taken on organization of the Fall Conference. Kim Lundquist is our new editor of Communication, and Jenn Rochon is working with CPF to organize the annual Concours d’art oratoire. Karla Torrente-Lepage (Durham DSB) has plans underway for the next spring conference, and Colette Fraser (Sudbury Catholic DSB) is chair of the 125th Anniversary Celebration Committee. Janet Smith (Lambton Kent DSB) is the coordinator of Projet à Québec 2010. All Directors work on committees, volunteering their time throughout the year, working on the projects mentioned above, as well as on advocacy, professional development, regional language competitions for students, and representing you at meetings with various stakeholders. What a great team of dedicated, skilled and energetic professionals you have working for you!
These are exciting and challenging times to be involved in language education. As FSL teachers strive to meet the goal of the Federal government to double the number of bilingual graduates by 2013, while perhaps exploring new pedagogical approaches and assessment standards, the need for support becomes increasingly important. With renewed funding for FSL, some school boards and authorities are supporting exciting new initiatives, such as Core French coaches and demonstration classes. What is going on in your area? We want to hear from you!
With spring blossoming around us, we are reminded that this is the season for renewal and growth in nature. Appropriately, the OMLTA Spring conference was an excellent opportunity for language educators to renew and re-energize. Les participants au congrès 2010 ont eu l’occasion de renouveler leurs habilités pédagogiques dans divers ateliers et ont découvert des nouveautés à la salle d’exposition. Karen Hume, reminded us of the importance of differentiated instruction to engage students through her informative and entertaining keynote speech.
On behalf of all who have benefited from the conference, I would like to thank conference chair, Faten Hanna, our administrative assistant, Heidi Locher, and the 2010 conference committee: Dann Crandall and Mark Strobl, Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board; Sandra Dennis, Toronto District School Board; Karla Torrente-Lepage, Durham District School Board; and, Wanda West- Gerber, Waterloo Region District School Board for the hours of work they devoted to making this a tremendous success. Merci ! Gracias ! Danke! Grazie! Obrigado!
We are thankful to those of you who took time on Friday afternoon to attend the AGM. I encourage you to become involved in the OMLTA as we are always looking for fresh ideas and views from across the province.
It was nice to meet briefly with teachers of German following our AGM, and I look forward to hearing from teachers of other modern languages so that the OMLTA can best meet your needs.
Our Fall Conference will be held in the Niagara Region, on the evening of Friday, October 22nd and on Saturday, October 23rd. What a great excuse to visit this beautiful area of the province! Details will be posted on our website soon.
We invite you to join us at the Spring Conference 2011 in Toronto, March 24th- 26th, when will be celebrating the 125th anniversary of the OMLTA! Spread the word to all who have been involved in past years that the planning committee is working hard to make this a memorable event. We hope to see everyone there!
OMLTA members had the opportunity to apply through this organization to be part of the Curriculum Writing Teams for Extended and Immersion French, as well as International Languages. This is just one of the benefits of maintaining your annual membership.Please feel free to contact us at any time to share your ideas about how we can better serve you. The OMLTA is your professional organization. We have strength in numbers and that means a stronger voice for you.
I challenge you all to sign up one new member in 2010-2011!
Remember to check our website frequently for news and information. Our journal is available online in the Members section (check with Heidi if you forgot your password). Members are invited to submit articles of relevance to the teaching of modern languages to our new Editor of Communication, Kim Lundquist at communicationgreen@omlta.org.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Susan Forrester
OMLTA President, March 2010 – March 2011
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