Presence of English in Quebec's French-language universities not as dominant as previously thought: CSLF study
A study on the presence of English in Quebec's French-language universities shows most programs are actually offered exclusively in French, the Conseil supérieur de la langue française (CSLF) found.
The council looked at the amount of English training offered at Quebec's 15 French-language universities and discovered that nearly nine out of ten programs were entirely in French.
Of the 2,713 programs identified in the study, more than 88.5 per cent offered training exclusively in French, meaning just 11.5 per cent offered an English component.
The report, released Thursday, looked at the possible presence of English in various ways, including assignments, required readings, examinations, course outlines, course materials, seminars and theses.
Nevertheless, the council laments the fact that English plays an important role when it comes to academic research and scholarly publications.
Last month, a study conducted with Acfas, an association that promotes research and innovation in the French-speaking world, reported there is a lack of support and recognition, heavier administration and teaching duties, as well as difficulties in organizing scientific events in French.
The study notes there is a pressure to publish in English and denounces the increasing use of English for grant applications and the disadvantage, in some cases, when applications are submitted in French.
The authors of the CSLF study point out there is a trend in many western countries where English is not the national language to offer bilingual training, resulting in its dominance in the economic, social and cultural worlds.
The CSLF admits that the use of English in the province's French universities seems to be less than is expected from institutions attempting to attract an international clientele.
The study concludes that offering English-language training at French-language universities in Quebec is a phenomenon that needs constant observation.
It justifies this by pointing out the significant appeal of English in various domains, its impact on university training, as well as on a student's language practices and the future of French in Quebec.
-- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on July 29, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.