A new proposal by the Commission on Francophone Affairs (CAF) suggests that McGill University offer a majority of introductory courses in French as well as in English.
The proposal is intended to help the transition of French-speaking students to an English university. It also suggests that a third of professors should demonstrate a French language competence.
Professors at McGill are not currently required to demonstrate any French language ability.
“Many professors who do not speak French do make an effort to learn the language when they come to McGill,” said Morton Mendelson, deputy provost (student life) and learning at McGill.
At the moment, the university is not moving towards incorporating introductory classes in French.
“This could really help the transition of students, but at present it’s not possible due to scheduling and personnel constraints,” said Mendelson. “Some people also believe this is a bad idea, because French language students are coming to McGill to become fluent in English and this would just delay the process.”
Some students are also not convinced that this proposal would benefit the school.
“I think it’s a waste of resources at this time, because McGill is an English school,” said first-year McGill life sciences student, Stephanie Pellett. “There are other French universities in Montreal. I don’t think anyone who chooses to come to McGill would expect to take classes in French.”
According to Mendelson, a survey of McGill students found that 35 per cent had learned French as one of their first languages.
“A lot of our students come from French backgrounds,” Mendelson said.
McGill students are currently allowed to submit work in French for any course, as long as the point of the course is not learning another language.
“We don’t keep track of how many students exercise this option, but from my experience as a professor the proportion is quite small,” Mendelson said.
Only 40 per cent of McGill students identify themselves as having good to excellent skills in written French, according to Mendelson.
First-year political science student Jake Bleiberg admits he has never spoken French before moving to Montreal.
“I am not at all bilingual. I’m taking a beginners French class,” Bleiberg said. “For me, a French class would be too difficult, but I do know a lot of anglophones here that are studying in French.”
Even students with a fluency in French think taking classes in French may be daunting.
“I’m bilingual and I would consider take a class in French, but I wouldn’t be sure if my French was up to par,” Pellett said.
Most students find it is not necessary to speak French on campus.
“On campus I don’t really use French. You would be able to because most people do speak French, but you don’t really hear it that often until you leave campus,” Pellett said.
At present, most courses at McGill are taught in English. The exceptions are the faculty of law and the department of Quebec studies, which are both fully bilingual and offer classes in French and English.