Digital platforms and documents for consultation or sharing
PEI Department of Education and Lifelong Learning Public Schools Branch website
**New website coming soon**
PHASE 1
Research and development: identify French-speaking teachers and build a database
A database provides a better understanding of the profile of the current 400 teachers to inform future recruitment, address potential shortages and provide additional instructional or language support. The information collected could include school, current position, number of years of teaching, French language proficiency, province or country of origin, and training (e.g., degrees, programs [Core French, Immersion, FFL], language needs, teaching needs...).
Bilingual job fairs and activities/events for high school students
Such events are opportunities to gather information about potential future teachers by surveying high school students and possibly post-secondary students enrolled in French-language programs, which allows the province to develop recruitment materials in partnership with other local and national organizations. The materials highlight the benefits of teaching in Prince Edward Island and are part of a larger provincial strategy to recruit a bilingual workforce. The information collected in 2019-20 provides a basis for teacher recruitment and retention strategies for the coming year.
PHASE 2
Recruitment and retention
Provincial recruitment to grow the number of French teachers
The aim is to provide a financial incentive for students to complete their internship/practicum in a francophone environment. Collège de l'Île and UPEI’s Centre d’excellence en français (CEF) or Centre of Excellence in French, provide language support. More diagnostic services in French and follow-up language interventions and tools are offered to students before and during the B.Ed. program.
International recruitment to increase the international pool of candidates
In collaboration with the provincial immigration office and the Coopérative d'intégration francophone (CIF), a clear and streamlined process will be developed to recognize equivalent work experience and review all requirements for teaching in PEI.
Retention strategies for FSL and FFL teachers: preparing and supporting new teachers
The purpose is to provide resources, tools and support to new teachers in the English-language Public Schools Branch to help maintain and enhance French language skills in an English-language context. School principals are also provided with training and tools on how to support new French teachers.
A similar project is also being carried out in French First Language by the Commission scolaire de langue française (CSLF) French-language school board.
PHASE 1
PHASE 2