Great FSL
Great FSL
Great FSL
Literacy in FSL
Introduction
Bev Anderson,Wendy Carr, Cynthia Lewis,Michael Salvatori andMiles Turnbull.2008. Effective literacy
practices in FSL: Making connections. Toronto, Canada: Pearson Education Canada. 160 pp.
Perspectives
Why Learn French? To ask this question is also to ask another, more fundamental,
question Is learning a second language important? The answer most surely is Yes,
particularly when that language is one of Canada's two official languages. The achievement of
personal bilingualism within an officially bilingual nation enhances the sense of belonging in
all parts of the country. The advantages of being a bilingual Canadian can be examined from the
common good perspective, and from the perspective of the individual.
Throughout the world, English speaking North Americans have had the reputation of
being reluctant to learn other languages. Because English has achieved a certain pre-eminence
among world languages, it has long been the language that other people learned as a matter of
course during their school years. Without a command of that language, non-English speakers
were virtually denied access to important sources of goods, information and decision-making
processes vital to their well being. It is not surprising that many English speakers came to
believe that there was no need to learn other languages.
Time passes, however, and the world changes. Many English speakers have begun to
realize that while their language is one of the most important in the world, all unilinguals are
denied access to information and economic and political processes which can affect them. They
have also come to understand that children should not be educated to participate in the world as
it was in the past, but in the world as it will be in the future. This future world, while remaining
one of many languages, will be one where modern communications technology and ease of
travel bring people into closer contact with each other.
Learning a second language improves one's writing and thinking skills. This process also
has important benefits for mother tongue skills, as well as providing facility in a second
language. No matter how we earn our living after the school years, each of us must be able to
think and express our thoughts clearly. Learning a second language helps in doing both. .
Knowing a second language gives each of us access to a larger pool of information and a wider
area in which to seek employment and cultural enrichment. These factors are very important for
those who aim to develop a national perspective in professions such as journalism, sociology,
history, architecture, literature, engineering, science, medicine, music and dance. They are
equally important for people who will be working directly with people, whether at the
management level or in the service sector of travel services, the hospitality industry, health
services and government services. Mastering a second language allows each of us to have more
flexibility not only with regard to the kind of employment we find, but also in the way we do the
job. Knowing a second language enriches the quality of life. Not only do we gain a better
understanding of who we are and where we come from as Canadians, but we also have better
access than unilingual persons to music, literature, theatre, art and cinema. Learning a second
language provides individuals with the opportunity to develop the kinds of learning skills and
discipline that are useful throughout their entire lives. Acquiring a second language, especially
early in life, facilitates learning a third language and indeed a fourth or fifth language. Speaking
a second language increases the level of respect and understanding of other language speakers
and other world cultures.