Ministry replies to BCATML re: Language 11 Grad Requirement

On January 25, 2018, Deputy Minister of Education, D. Scott MacDonald, responded to BCATML’s letter dated November 24, 2017, which called upon Honourable Rob Fleming to include a Grade 11 level second language course credit requirement for high school graduation.
 
Mr. MacDonald thanked BCATML for its advocacy and writing the Ministry to request this change in the graduation years’ portfolio. He explained that “[t]he Ministry will continue to engage with the education sector on graduation requirements and will soon release a draft policy document for feedback. This engagement process will include the British Columbia Teachers’ Federation, and through it the BCATML and other provincial specialist associations."
 
BCATML is hopeful that continued advocacy and lobbying by British Columbia’s second language teachers, administrators, parents, and students will bring positive change and stronger appreciation for the learning of second languages and the rewards they present to our high school students.
 
BC’s redesigned curricula explores the qualities of the Educated Citizen contained throughout the Core and Curricular Competencies of all the second languages curricula. BCATML believes that those qualities need to be

encouraged and further explored over the continuum of learning beyond the currently mandated Grade 8 year. The inclusion of a Language 11 course credit (and beyond) would help develop life-long learners who would be better to face the complexities and challenges the future will undoubtedly bring.

We invite all teachers, administrators, language advocates, parents, and students to read the Ministry’s letter by clicking on the link below and to contact Emilie Hiller, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Student Certification, by phone at (250) 886-4844 or by email at Emilie.Hiller@gov.bc.ca with any questions relating to this issue. 

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