Seventh International Conference on Immersion and Dual Language Education

Strand I: Pedagogy & Assessment

French

All

The adoption of the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR) developed concurrently with the opening of DELF (Diplômes d’études en langue française) Examination Centres has significantly changed the French immersion landscape the past ten years in Canada. The exponential growth among school boards, ministries of education and universities, seeking to have their French language learners’ proficiency levels recognized and validated on an international scale has been extremely significant. In some cases, institutions struggle to meet the demand. More importantly, is the monumental shift in the classroom whereby empirical evidence has now demonstrated the improvement in instruction due to this implementation. In 2006, the first DELF exam centre was opened by a school board. Today, there are over 35 centres found in every province. Successful French Immersion students receive an official life-long diploma from the French Ministry of Education. The process for educators to become accredited markers and examiners involves an intense CEFR training. Benefits became quickly apparent. Ministries of education have now aligned their program of studies with the CEFR and professional learning has moved from a communicative approach to an action-oriented approach. Authentic tasks based on real-life situations have transformed immersion classrooms across the country. Newly-produced resources are now aligned with the CEFR. Ultimately, this assessment tool and its training have inadvertently revolutionized immersion pedagogy in Canada.