1999/2000 PCERII Funded Research Abstract

The proposed study is a comparison of the degree to which citizenship concepts are incorporated in Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) programs in English speaking Canada and in French language programs for adult immigrants in Quebec. In addition, the study will determine whether or not there are still Canadian citizenship-preparation courses available to newcomers in Quebec (in a 1987 survey, only English language citizenship classes were located in Quebec).

Because of Quebec’s unique situation and the nature of the French language programs in the Centre d’orientation et formation des immigrants (COFIs), where the goal is to encourage newcomers to become Quebeckers, it is of paramount importance to determine what the nature of Canadian citizenship education is in that province. The co-investigator in this study will ascertain whether adult citizenship programs exist that are designed to prepare learners for the federal citizenship test.

In an extension of previous research, the nature of citizenship concepts embedded in the curriculum of French and English language programs will be determined through an in-depth examination of the materials used. FSL instructors in Quebec and ESL teacher in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta will be interviewed to discover to what extent they: a) focus on aspects of the curriculum bearing on citizenship; and, b) whether they feel that the curriculum is effective. This project will result in a clear description of the nature of citizenship education for adult newcomers to Canada nationwide. The primary investigator will be responsible for the English Canada component of the research.