Bilingualism in Quebec

We've heard about the challenges of learning English as a second language, but what about taking on a third? CBC's Julia Caron visited a Mandarin class at St. Patrick's high school.

External links:

• More photos from the classroom on our official Quebec AM Facebook page

What happens if everyone in Quebec becomes bilingual? CBC's Julia Caron and Molly Thomas start asking that question in the streets of St-Roch and Limoilou. Afterwards, you'll hear CBC reporter Catou MacKinnon has been asking that question, and we'll hear the answers. To end off, we hear from Mathieu Campagna. He wonders about the potential cultural impact in Quebec if everyone speaks English.

It's an important choice: which school system do you send your child through if you want him or her to have the best possible foundation for both English and French? Over the past week, we have heard many voices from the front lines of language education: from the schoolyard to the classroom. But the most important decision about language is likely made at the kitchen table, as parents decide the best options for their children. 

We hear from parents who have a variety of options and have made different choices. Francis Brault, Chantal Jura, Sylvestre Pinette and Dolores del Rio share their experiences with us. We begin with Francis.