Gatekeepers’ language ideologies and beliefs about language learning determine how learners experience French as a second language programs, in particular, their access to, and success and inclusion in, the French immersion (FI) program. In this article, we explore how FI principals understand language learning and the inclusion of English language learners (ELLs) and how these perspectives shape school policy in FI programs. The study took place in a large urban school board in southern Ontario with student population consisting of 50% ELLs. After conducting a questionnaire with principals across the school board, we interviewed a subgroup of principals gathering quantitative and qualitative data. In addition, we consulted the board’s website and documentation provided to parents regarding enrolling their children in FI. The study highlights convergence or divergence from principals’ beliefs in relation to board policy about access and inclusion to the FI program. Through critical discourse analysis, data revealed that principals have contradictory beliefs about language learning, and at times principals struggle to reconcile these beliefs with official board policy. While FI principals are mostly positive about including ELLs in FI, to provide equal access to the program, they would benefit from (a) moving away from a definition of bilingualism as equalingualism and (b) expanding and developing the meaning of inclusivity beyond physical presence to adapt the FI space for greater inclusion of ELLs.

This research synthesis aims to investigate the broader trends in K-12 French as a second language (FSL) published research from 2000-2017 (inclusive). We assembled a database of 181 peer-reviewed articles relating to FSL education to examine what we already know about specific issues. We used Nvivo 11 (Pro) to facilitate coding the articles for key words and findings (among other codes). Four prevalent research topics emerged in terms of frequency of occurrence: literacy, French language form, French language instruction, and student background. In this article, after exploring each issue by synthesizing main findings, we summarize what we know and what remains to be discovered about each topic. We conclude by suggesting relevant directions for future research, such as focusing on programs other than French immersion and working with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities to better understand FSL learning in these contexts.

Utilisant des procédures d'interprétation critique, les auteures passent en revue des études empiriques qualitatives et quantitatives ( N = 181) publiées entre 2000 et 2017 dans le contexte canadien du français langue seconde (FLS), de la maternelle à la 12e année. Elles examinent l'orientation thématique des résultats pertinents pour les principaux intervenants (c'est-à-dire les élèves, les enseignants, les candidats à l'enseignement, les parents et les administrateurs) dans différents programmes de FLS. Leurs observations révèlent que, même si ce n'est pas le cas pour les autres parties prenantes, des programmes de recherche distincts ont émergé chez les élèves et les enseignants (tout particulièrement chez les élèves en immersion française). Cependant, les pratiques de recherche qui regroupent des intervenants de différents programmes indiquent également un transfert potentiel de programmes et la possibilité que soient ainsi abordées des questions primordiales propres au FLS au Canada. L'une de ces questions est le bilinguisme canadien et l'identité bilingue. Malgré un consensus clair dans tous les groupes d'intervenants quant au fait que le FLS est un véhicule pour le bilinguisme, des contradictions et des tensions sont apparues en ce qui a trait aux enjeux de pouvoir inhérents au bilinguisme canadien. Les auteures tirent de leur étude des conclusions thématiques détaillées pour chaque groupe d'intervenants et suggèrent des programmes de recherche futurs.

Parental involvement is a crucial, but often, neglected factor for success in learning languages. A growing number of Canadian students from immigrant families attend French Immersion programs and bring additional languages to the classroom. Yet, the role of Eastern-European immigrant parents in their children's French Immersion education, their beliefs about speaking multiple languages, and developing literacy practices at home across multiple languages are under-researched. Rooted in a plurilingual framework to examine parental beliefs and practices, this paper uses critical discourse analysis to present data collected via interviews and journals. The data show that immigrant parents demonstrate awareness and a rich variety of beliefs about their children's plurilingual learning; they value French for instrumental reasons; and offer individual solutions for plurilingual literacy development. Implications for educators include valuing parental "funds of knowledge" and acknowledging how neoliberal educational policies widen the gap between plurilingual homes and bilingual classrooms.

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