The aim of the research and investigation methodology was based on an expert survey, using questionnaires translated into German, English, French, Spanish and Portuguese languages. The experts, interviewed in this study as part of the international community, represent institutions or organizations, that are involved in educational policy or in…

In this article we describe the ways that academic opportunity is distributed within the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), Canada's largest and most demographically diverse public education system. By putting a range of recent outcome data into historical, organizational, and policy contexts, we provide a snapshot of how one of North America's…

In this position article, we explore what happens when school district policies regarding desegregation, accountability, and foreign language immersion education collide. Specifically, we contrast 2 immersion programs that experienced distinct outcomes as a result of the conflicting agendas underlying these 3 policies. One program, originally…

This report addresses the question of whether Canada is really a bilingual, multicultural nation, or a bilingual, monocultural nation, or a bilingual, bicultural nation. The history of Quebec is outlined and a comparison is made between the ethnic and linguistic composition of Quebec and the rest of Canada, showing that the percentage of people of…

The problem of language in Quebec today is not unique. All over the world, the problem of language comes up as a result of the organization of life in society. It is useful, therefore, to examine the role language has played in the evolution of societies from tribes to nations. In this way, the similarities and differences between the situation in…

Bilingualism and the cultural and linguistic pluralism that it involves should be preserved and encouraged within the national educational system. Statistics concerning bilinguals on a national scale would present a more accurate picture if based on John Macnamara's definition of bilinguals as "persons who possess at least one of the language…

Bilingualism and bilingual education in the U.S.S.R., the People's Republic of China, and Canada are discussed as a context for examining American attitudes toward and the establishment of bilingual education programs. Russian and minority languages in the Soviet Union are examined, including the early development of Soviet language policy,…

This publication, an update of previous reports of the same title, provides information on language programs in Canada under the following headings: (1) programs in the nine provinces (excluding Quebec) including a description of minority language and second language education as well as French immersion programs; and (2) programs in Quebec,…

English language instruction in schools for American Indians has progressed from the era when there was an effort to eliminate tribal languages and replace them with English. From 1932 until recently tribal languages were encouraged, but the emphasis was on English. During the past four years, bilingual education has emerged. There has been…

Discusses the effects of government language policies in Belgium, which have divided the country into Dutch-, French-, and German-speaking areas with no linguistic rights for speakers of other languages, except in multilingual Brussels. Maintains that the federalization of the Belgian state has not settled the country's linguistic strife. (33…

The political and pedagogical issues arising from language legislation, language policy, and language planning in a bilingual country such as Canada are analyzed. The socio-historical context of bilingualism in Canada is reviewed, and Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (appended), which imposes a constitutional requirement…

A study was undertaken in 1981-82 to review the implementation of the Ontario Cabinet submission of October 20, 1977 concerning French as a minority (first) language and the need for major improvements to provide equal educational opportunities in French-language schools or classes. The report of the study presents the findings in seven sections…

The English translation of a round-table discussion concerning literacy among Canadian francophones in non-francophone areas is presented. The panel includes a moderator, officials involved in literacy education in three provinces (Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Ontario), and a specialist in literacy among Canadian francophone women. After a brief…

While the Official Languages Act of Canada mandates the governmental use of English and French, it is up to regions, localities, and individuals to develop the attitudes and policies which will safeguard the rights of language minorities (including English speakers in francophone areas) and discourage the cultural isolation of language groups. A…