Canadian History Title



  Bilingualism-

Official Languages Act

 DEVELOPED BY: Vivian So


SUMMARY

....The Constitution of Canada has enshrined English and French as Canada's official languages since 1982, but this declaration is only valid for the federal government and its divisions. Bilingualism is the ability to speak or write fluently in 2 languages. In Canada the term has taken on a more particular meaning: the ability to communicate (or the practice of communicating) in both of Canada's official languages, English and French. The current Official Languages Act came into force on September 15, 1988. The Official Languages Act of 1969 is an Act of Parliment that recognizes English and French as the official languages of Canada.The 1988 act is a new and improved version of the Official Languages Act of 1969, which was one of the major consequences of the Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism.









 

 

 

 

 Historical Importance of Issue

Bilingualism had the most impact on the Anglophone and Francophone civil servants becasue they had been studying either English or French through their lives therfore it will be quite difficult for them to learn a completel new language.The Official Languge Act had affected Canada's politic completely. It allow Canadians to receive services in either official language and creates much more job opportunites for the French-speaking citizans which gave them some advantages since English was the primary language of business in the public services. In result to this act, by the early 1980s, the percentage of French-speaking Canadians employed by the public service exceeded their percentage of the total population of Canada. Also, because of Bilingualism,there is a explosion of interest in French immersion in English Canada which is a separate program from the second language course requirements mandated by all provinces. It had increase from 0.5% in 1978 to 6.8% in 1990. The official Langauge Act also help Canada's education system.It increase the proportion of eligible students enrolled in French schools outside Quebec from 68 percent to 80 percent in ten years. Also, it double the number of students able to speak English and French from 24 to 50% in ten years.

Article Critique

Related Articles / Links:

Article #1-bilingualism in canada

Article #2-English-French bilingualism

Article #3- The Impact of Official Bilingualism

Article #4-Federal Government Renews Commitment to Two Official Languages


 

   REVIEW QUESTIONS

  1. What does Bilingualism means?lingualism
    1. the ability to speak or write fluently in 2 languages
    2. the ability to believe in 2 or more religions
    3. the ability to play 2 or more games at the same time
    4. none of the above



  2. When The Constitution of Canada has enshrined English and French as Canada's official languages?
    1. 1984
    2. 1987
    3. 1980
    4. 1982



  3. what does French immersion means?
    1. a fancy name for a French school
    2. a French military school
    3. separate program from the second language course requirements mandated by all provinces
    4. a apartment made for poor people that speak French



  4. How many percentage does French immersion increase from 1987 to 1990?

    1. 10%
    2. 6.4%
    3. 5.6%
    4. 6.3%


     

    5.  When does the most current Official Langauge Act came into power?

    1. 1966
    2. 1986
    3. 1998
    4. 1988