Digital platforms and documents for consultation or sharing
NLTA Second Language Council website
NLTA SLC Facebook page
Project Overview
- Research topics
- Region: Atlantique
- Project Overview
Project status
- Completed :
- PHASE 1: October 2019-June 2020
- Completed :
- PHASE 2: March 2022-March 2023
Project manager or
resource person
- Lucie Lamoureux-Newson and Laun Shoemaker
- Lucie: Executive Director, CPF PEI and CPF NFLD and Labrador; Laun: Treasurer, Second Languages Council of the NLTA
Partner organization(s)
Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers' Association (NLTA)
NLTA Second Language Council
Canadian Parents for French - Newfoundland and Labrador and Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association (NLTA) Second Language Council
Deft with the DELF: Certification for French Immersion and FSL Teachers in Newfoundland and Labrador
This project aimed to support four cohorts of 20 teachers as they prepared for, and wrote the DELF B2 exam, as well as purchase of preparation materials and preparation courses to ensure the success of teachers when they write the exam. Bimonthly virtual meetings were held in which teachers could interact, prepare and practise aural and oral exam components, and build community as they worked together to pass the exam. Once a month the group met to exchange ideas and discuss strategies. In the other monthly meeting, groups of approximately five participants came together to maximize oral production opportunities. These bimonthly meetings continued from October to February, when Memorial University began its DELF preparation courses. Teachers would take part in the weeks leading up to the exam, while maintaining the community of support they established in the preceding months. The program concluded as teachers wrote the exam in the month of March.
OBJECTIVES:
- Making B2 certification available to FSL teachers who were not required to have DELF B2 certification prior to 2016
- Increasing feelings of competence and proficiency in all teachers
- Improve confidence in oral and grammar/writing skills
- Provide non-permanent teachers who have strong backgrounds in French with the opportunity to achieve DELF B2 certification in order to make them eligible for F1 positions.
- Develop second language resources and materials for online teaching
- Develop greater community, more professional trust and significant sharing between French teachers in order to counter burnout.
Targeted Results
Fifty-three permanent and contract teachers receive or achieve DELF B2 accreditation
Each cohort of approximately 20 teachers followed a similar program in September 2021 and wrote the DELF exam in March 2022
The Second Language Council (SLC) maintains a resource bank accessible to teachers, and facilitates grade-level exchanges for resources.
Five 1-hour Professional Learning sessions have emerged and were conducted through videoconferencing for core French and French Immersion and FSL teachers.
Main takeaways (learnings)
- All participants found the experience positive.
- Community building broke the isolation often felt by FSL and FI teachers.
- There were more opportunities to exchange in French with other teachers.
- The designation provided opportunities for lateral career movement.
- Career development was enhanced.
- The course was a confidence builder.
- Self-assurance reinforced confidence in participants’ abilities and formalized their knowledge and competence.
Potential/desired collaborations
CASLT, CPF National and provincial (NS, ON), French for the Future
- A national, like-minded voice.
- For networking and opportunities to enhance the offer.
- For the recruitment of teachers.
Universities, Faculties of Education in other provinces
- To alleviate the monetary constraints on students.
- To collaborate for courses that are compatible with Newfoundland and Labrador's course offering.
- To offer scholarships and bursaries that support students interested in pursuing DELF certifications (B1, B2).
Fédération des francophones et Acadiens de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador
- To find common ground in teaching French (stewardship and collaboration).
