Youth worry about the quality of their French: Written vs. oral. Report recommends student exchanges

The Gazette, David Johnston

Young anglophones in Quebec are worried their French isn’t good enough – and community leaders aren’t sure whether this is good news or bad news.
A study made public yesterday found considerable insecurity among anglophones ages 16 to 29 over the quality of their French-language skills.

Community leaders say more study will be needed to find out whether this means French-immersion programs are failing, or whether young anglos, who generally speak better French than their parents, are holding themselves to a higher standard.

“You look at the glass and you wonder whether it’s half-full or half-empty,” said Brent Platt, co-chairman of the youth wing of the Quebec Community Groups Network, the umbrella organization for anglophone community groups in Quebec. Read more…