The Sooke School District hasnB次元官网网址檛 had to resort to drastic measures to find qualified French immersion teachers. But that could change as the program continues to grow on the West Shore and across B.C.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the fastest-growing program in our district,B次元官网网址� said Sooke School District superintendent Jim Cambridge.

Roughly 1,300 students B次元官网网址� or more than 12 per cent B次元官网网址� of SD62B次元官网网址檚 student body is comprised of French immersion pupils. The district has six schools that offer the program, with John Stubbs solely hosting French-immersion pupils.

That translates to roughly 75 French-immersion teachers currently being employed by the district. Cambridge estimated that number grows about five per cent every year and has grown about 25 per cent in the last five years.

Cendra Beaton, president of the Canadian Parents for French Sooke District Chapter, said, B次元官网网址渨e have a very fortunate situation where the district doesnB次元官网网址檛 have a cap on our (French immersion) program.B次元官网网址�

However, she is concerned that may change as the program grows. Of this school yearB次元官网网址檚 enrolment numbers, 45 per cent of French immersion students are in Kindergarten to Grade 3.

B次元官网网址淎s they go up in grades weB次元官网网址檙e going to need teachers to support that B次元官网网址� It shows you the importance of getting the teachers we need right now.B次元官网网址�

Next yearB次元官网网址檚 numbers are looking to continue that trend. Beaton said after only two days of early French immersion registration, 173 new students had registered for Kindergarten and more than 30 had registered for late immersion.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really hoping we have a district that continues to support all kids that choose French immersion,B次元官网网址� she said.

With class sizes yet to be determined after the recent court ruling, Beaton added, B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 hard to determine how many teachers weB次元官网网址檒l need next year.B次元官网网址�

Based on the early enrolment numbers, she predicted John Stubbs alone could see up to five classes of Kindergarten French immersion next year, if every student is accepted into the program and registration continues at the same pace. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 a huge need for staff in just one school.B次元官网网址�

But a shortage of French immersion teachers isnB次元官网网址檛 a new concern for the local district. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been our experience for the last five years B次元官网网址� But all teachers are in demand,B次元官网网址� Cambridge said. B次元官网网址淩ight now weB次元官网网址檙e okay (but) weB次元官网网址檝e had troubles in the past.B次元官网网址�

He noted it can be especially difficult to find teachers with special skill sets such as special education or counselling, and high school teachers with specific disciplines.

But itB次元官网网址檚 not just tough to find French immersion teachers. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 for all of our teachers right now,B次元官网网址� he noted. B次元官网网址淲e just hired 22 teachers from our on-call list.B次元官网网址�

To make sure they have enough teachers and donB次元官网网址檛 come up short at any point in the year, Cambridge said the district has been actively recruiting and regularly updates its on-call pool. While there was a time when they did interviews once or twice a year for on-call teachers, now, he said, B次元官网网址渨e do them virtually every week.B次元官网网址�

But Beaton said high school students also need to be targeted and made aware of the options and scholarships available if they wish to pursue a career teaching French immersion. B次元官网网址淲e need to build that awareness,B次元官网网址� she said.

With increasing demand for French immersion teachers across the country, some parent groups have voiced concerns about under-qualified teachers finding positions above their expertise level.

B次元官网网址淲e havenB次元官网网址檛 had that problem. WeB次元官网网址檝e set a pretty high bar for all of our teachers B次元官网网址� (and) we havenB次元官网网址檛 had to lower our bar,B次元官网网址� Cambridge said, adding it helps that Victoria and the south Island are very attractive places to live.

It was a sentiment echoed by Beaton. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a skill to be able to speak French, itB次元官网网址檚 another to be able to teach French as a second language,B次元官网网址� she said.

In recognition of that, she noted French immersion teachers in the district go through an international standard of testing, which includes three oral tests and a written component. ApplicantsB次元官网网址� scores determine what grades they can teach.

Beaton added the districtB次元官网网址檚 positive environment and the supports offered are also attracting teachers to the area. B次元官网网址淲e have some advantages, but itB次元官网网址檚 still going to be a challenge,B次元官网网址� she said.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com