Dr. Sarah Théberge and Dr. Sunny Man Chu Lau Receive a 2020 PRESE Grant
 

Dr. Sarah Théberge and Dr. Sunny Man Chu Lau Receive a 2020 PRESE Grant

The possibility of pursuing post-secondary studies in French, leading to qualifying training and quality jobs, represents a major challenge for the vast majority of people completing francization programs offered by the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration. For many of them, their competence is not sufficient to successfully enter post-secondary education, whether it is a college certificate, technical training or university training. There is thus a need to re-examine the offer, the curriculum and the organization method of the francization programs.

Within the frame of their multi-institutional research team, Dr. Théberge, of the Département d’études françaises et Québécoise, and Dr. Lau, of the Department of Education, will join forces with collaborators from Université de Sherbrooke and Cégep de Sherbrooke to increase post-secondary studies accessibility to allophone adults in francization by developing a unique training offer, complementary to francization. This training will focus on the development of specific academic reading and writing skills, which are little explored in existing francization courses, but necessary for successful post-secondary studies. Together with developing the curriculum, this training will also improve teaching approaches.

Their project will increase allophone student retention and will improve their success in school, which in turn will have a positive impact on the economic development of the region.

This project is made possible by a grant from the Estrie Higher Education Hub (Pôle regional en enseignement supérieur de l’Estrie – PRESE). This hub supports cooperation between the five college and university institutions in the Sherbrooke area.