Cégep: 101 words to make French the language of future generations

Voices multiply to demand that young Quebecers who have been educated in French continue their studies in the same language at public and vocational colleges (CEGEPs).

My experience as a professor at the University of Montreal’s Law School convinced me of the need for such a procedure so that French would truly become the lingua franca for future generations in Quebec.

The English language is gaining ground

The multiplication of requests to write assignments and examinations in English and the increasing use of the English language in interchange between students outside of the classroom, at the Faculty of Law in French, allowed me to notice that English is on the way to becoming the language in which French and Alfonso speakers prefer communicating with each other as well as with students. English speakers.

My discussions with young lawyers from my college also allowed me to understand that attending English-speaking CEGEPs has had a critical impact, whether among francophone speakers or allophones, on the choice of the language one thinks, reads, or writes … as we direct our career Our professional and personal life.

The time has come to legislate so that French becomes the regular and usual language of university education, and future generations can contribute to ensuring that it continues to be the distinctive language of the Quebec people, whose predominantly French-speaking population is vulnerable to infection. To allow him to do so. He expresses his identity.

A legislative drafting process was undertaken which revealed that adding barely 101 words could help ensure French remains the common language for future generations in Quebec.

Charter amendment

This will include amending Article 72 of the The French Language Charter To include a reference to CEGEPs and to add an essay to identify students who will be able to receive university education in the English language.

These additions must be accompanied by rules requiring teaching in English not to be prohibited in CEGEPs in French. On the other hand, it would be important to provide, as Article 84 for Secondary Studies states, that a diploma or university degree cannot be issued to a student who does not have French, speaking or writing. The knowledge required by the programs of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology. Here are 101 words in bold italics that can make a big difference:

72- Teaching takes place in the French language in nursery classes, in primary and secondary schools. And in public and professional colleges Subject to the exceptions stipulated in this chapter. [….]

This section does not prohibit teaching in the English language in order to enhance learning, in accordance with the terms and conditions stipulated in the Basic Schools Regulation established by the government under Section 447 of Education law (Chapter 1 – 13.3) University Studies Plan established under Section 18 of the Public and Professional Colleges Law (Chapter C-29)

83.5. Students who have received instruction in the English language under Section 73 of this Act may receive instruction in English in a public and professional college.

84. […] A diploma or university studies certificate cannot be issued to a student who does not have French, spoken and written, the knowledge required by the programs of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology —.

Daniel Terb
Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Montreal
Former member of the Quebeco Bloc (1997-2000) and Party Quebecoa (2003-2008)