ThereB次元官网网址檚 been further disruption for French immersion students in their final elementary year at LangfordB次元官网网址檚 Millstream School.

At the beginning of the school year in September, a class of Grade 4 and 5 students, found themselves without a permanent teacher assigned to their French immersion class.

Instead they were supported by a handful of substitute teachers, while the Sooke School District searched for a suitable candidate to fill the vacancy, which some parents said could leave their children B次元官网网址渋ll-preparedB次元官网网址� for the move to French immersion middle school.

In recent months, the class has found stability with a part-time French immersion teacher and a French immersion qualified learning assistance teacher sharing the role.

However, parents have been told Jan. 17 will be the last day for the part-time French immersion teacher.

The school district says they are now seeking to recruit a full-time French immersion teacher for the Millstream class. 

And a resolution could already be on the horizon.

A spokesperson for the district said on Jan. 15 progress has been made, and they are optimistic there will soon be good news to share with the class and their families.

B次元官网网址淲e are committed to finding the best solution for the class,B次元官网网址� said a school district spokesperson in an emailed statement, which noted recruiting and retaining qualified French immersion teachers is a priority for the district.

One parent has described the ongoing disruption as B次元官网网址渦nbelievable and totally saddening.B次元官网网址�

In a letter to Sooke School District, shared with Goldstream Gazette, the parent has appealed for additional education and mental health support for the affected children.

B次元官网网址淚t really saddens me that this group of kids will not be able to leave Millstream connected to a teacher they feel cares about them and is proud of them, and they feel genuinely connected to B次元官网网址� ,B次元官网网址� said the parent.

The school district has said while they actively try to recruit a full-time teacher, they will implement measures to enhance French language learning in the classroom.

B次元官网网址淪tudent mental health and well-being remain a top priority,B次元官网网址� said the school district spokesperson. B次元官网网址淪chool counsellors and support staff continue to be available, and families are encouraged to reach out if additional help is needed.B次元官网网址�

Sooke School District is not alone in its struggle to recruit qualified French Immersion teachers; the problem is one faced nationally, says Yasmina Lemieux, president of Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers (CASLT).

B次元官网网址淭here's definitely an issue with [second] language teacher recruitment and retention across the whole country,B次元官网网址� she said, noting French immersion has the most reported issues.

And the problem wonB次元官网网址檛 be going anywhere anytime soon with a projected national shortage of qualified French second language and French immersion teachers expected to reach 10,000, according to a CASLT study carried out in partnership with the Canadian Association of Immersion Professionals.

Lemieux says the increasing popularity of French immersion and a rise in the number of teachers leaving the profession, especially new ones, are the main causes of the shortage.

A lack of professional learning opportunities, the devaluing of language education in some jurisdictions and a shortfall in teaching resources were some of the reasons given by teachers for their move away from French immersion, she explains.

For French immersion students, the national shortage has the potential to cause long-term repercussions, says Lemieux, adding a change in teachers during a school year can set children back as they adjust to new teaching methods.

B次元官网网址淗aving qualified teachers in the French immersion classroom is imperative," said Lemieux. B次元官网网址淥therwise the integrity of the French immersion program could be compromised, and it's not fair to the students who are in the program, who are expecting a certain level of French education, or to their parents who've registered them in those programs.B次元官网网址�

As the national shortage continues, the situation gives French immersion teachers their pick of the jobs available, which could leave smaller towns and cities like Langford at a disadvantage.

B次元官网网址淚 would say the smaller communities have a more challenging time of recruiting and retaining those French immersion teachers, because there is more opportunity in the larger centres and those places that young teachers especially, often gravitate towards.B次元官网网址�