Media advisory - New teacher resource supporting oral proficiency development of students in Francophone minority settings

WINNIPEG , Jan. 8, 2016 /CNW/ - The Canadian Teachers' Federation (CTF) and the Direction des ressources éducatives françaises (DREF) of the Manitoba Department of Education are proud to launch a new teacher resource designed to help students in French-language schools in minority settings to improve their oral proficiency.

The launch will take place during the meeting of the School Council of the Éducatrices et éducateurs francophones du Manitoba (ÉFM), a branch of The Manitoba Teachers' Society, a CTF Member organization.

Launch details:

When:	11:30 a.m., Saturday, January 9
Where:	Auditorium, McMaster House, 191 Harcourt Street (Winnipeg)
Who:	Ronald Boudreau, CTF
	Heather Brydon, DREF
	Simon Normandeau, ÉFM

"We are very pleased to partner for the second time with the DREF, which is also committed to providing teachers with practical and inspiring tools," says CTF President Heather Smith. Last year, the DREF and CTF published teacher worksheets in support of the series Identité 2.0.

Designed to help students with their oral proficiency, the resource is called Question d'habitude!, meaning "a matter of habit" which underscores what we often consider as "mistakes" are only habits that were developed in a particular context.

Each of the 20 explanatory worksheets deals with a particular expression and is paired with a short video showing the interaction between teachers and students in a fun and instructive way.

Several studies conducted by CTF over the years have shown that French-language schools are facing many challenges related to the minority linguistic context. For example, schools have to deal with habits that often become embedded in the spoken language and become difficult to get rid of.

The issue of linguistic insecurity was also the topic of a feature article recently published in CTF's webzine Frenquêtes.

"The resource was designed for French-language schools in minority settings, but it will undoubtedly be appreciated by immersion and second language teachers also," adds the President.

Founded in 1920, CTF is a national alliance of Member organizations representing nearly 200,000 teachers across Canada. CTF is also a member of Education International (@eduint) which represents 30 million educators around the world. Follow CTF on Twitter: @CanTeachersFed and @EnseigneCanada.

SOURCE Canadian Teachers' Federation

Comments: Heather Smith, CTF President; Information and contact: Ronald Boudreau, Director of Services to Francophones, 613-688-4308 or rboud@ctf‑fce.ca