The 180

Opinion: French Immersion is how parents game the public school system

Teacher Andrew Campbell says French Immersion programs are hurting school systems by creating a de facto two-tiered education system. He says that even though they don't deliver promised language or learning benefits, parents choose immersion in an effort to get their kids out of the mainstream public school system.
Parents in Salmon Arm, B.C., line up in April, 2014 to secure scarce French immersion spots for their children. (Shannon Anamchara)

Brantford school teacher Andrew Campbell says French Immersion programs are hurting school systems by creating a de facto two-tiered education system.

He says that even though immersion programs don't deliver the promised language or learning benefits, parents choose it anyway in an effort to get their kids out of the mainstream. 

Until parents and policy makers can objectively analyze the costs against the purported benefits, he questions whether French Immersion programs deserve continued support. 

Still unconvinced? Click the blue button above to hear Andrew's argument.