February 2011 Archives

Welcome to Canada! Now Integrate

By Jeannette Novakovich on February 14, 2022 9:57 PM | 0 Comments
Marieke Bivar-Wikhammer
Screen shot 2022-01-12 at 2.43.18 PM.pngImmigration is a recurrent issue in countries around the world. The meeting of the host country's and the immigrant's cultures and languages can sometimes cause conflict as nationalisms flare up and cultural and linguistic protectionisms kicks in. An interesting phenomenon is that of the more recently founded nations like those of the Americas. For some countries, like the United States, there is less emphasis on official multiculturalism and more of a tendency to regard the ensemble of citizens as being simply American. For other countries, like Canada, there is an emphasis on multiculturalism and on encouraging cultural diversity... that is, officially.

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Eliminating Bullying from Our Schools

By Jeannette Novakovich on February 14, 2022 9:56 PM | 0 Comments
By Cinzia Vicario
Screen shot 2022-02-15 at 1.06.41 PM.pngOur society is constantly changing, and its evolution seems to be affecting people's values and morals at every age. For example, today it is not uncommon to turn on the TV in the middle of the day and see scenes of violence or sexual content that should be reserved to adult viewers. In addition, some rap music, or even video-games, also add to the problem by promoting use of violence or sexist behaviour that in the long run tend to desensitize us. All of these factors, at various levels, contribute to the decline of moral values in modern society. In fact, they are valid examples of the lack of respect shown to our youth's normal psychological development, or to the dignity of those we call minorities because of their gender, race or sexual orientation.


Educational Integration or Cultural Segregation?

By Jeannette Novakovich on February 14, 2022 9:55 PM | 1 Comment
Marieke Bivar-Wikhammer
Screen shot 2022-02-15 at 12.18.43 PM.pngThe issue of educational integration for immigrant youth in Quebec is a complicated one. To best explore the subject, I have chosen two articles that examine the problem through studies. The first is Who's in and who's out? Language and the integration of new immigrant youth in Quebec by Dawn Allen, which focuses on the government of Quebec's definition of integration and argues for more inclusive policy. She argues that "...in Quebec's current policy documents, integration is conceptualized in such a way that immigrants are the objects rather than the subjects of integration." (Allen, 2). The second article is by Marilyn Steinbach and is based on findings from a study drawing on interviews with a number of immigrant youth navigating Quebec's "Accueil" system. Its title Quand je sors d'accueil: linguistic integration of immigrant adolescents in Quebec secondary schools refers to the isolation experienced by immigrant youth both socially and academically due to their status. As the issue is a complex one and both papers are quite long, I have chosen to focus on outlining the Accueil (meaning "welcome") system that immigrant youth are required to go through in Quebec before joining regular classes.

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Language Law Flaws

By Jeannette Novakovich on February 14, 2022 9:55 PM | 0 Comments
Christine Fournierlaws.pngAccess to an education in English through the public system should be a right and not a privilege in Quebec. However, that is all about to change.  A recent development in the National Assembly of Quebec, regarding language of instruction, has lead to the creation of Bill 115. This bill will block access to public English education unless someone has considerable means to pay for entry into the system. Bill 115 should not be received with open arms because it is rather unnecessary and the legislation is confusing, unconstitutional and unfair.

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Tutoring

By Jeannette Novakovich on February 14, 2022 9:54 PM | 0 Comments
Screen shot 2022-02-15 at 1.38.20 PM.png
  • Grade A Tutors Montreal - Lists tutors available in Montreal by area providing help for students in all grades and subjects
  • Liberty Tutoring - Offers 1-on-1 tutoring for students in the Montreal area

If you know of any quality tutoring services, please drop a note in the comment box below.

Links to Montreal Private School Expo Featured Schools

By Jeannette Novakovich on February 14, 2022 9:54 PM | 0 Comments

Educational Animals

By Jeannette Novakovich on February 14, 2022 9:53 PM | 0 Comments
Christine Fournierowl.pngLooking for educational activity children will enjoy? Why not visit the Ecomuseum in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, on the western tip of the island of Montreal. This 28-acre wildlife park houses over ninety species of birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and mammals that can be seen in their natural habitat.

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Examining the Effects of Technology on Our Children

By Jeannette Novakovich on February 14, 2022 9:52 PM | 0 Comments
Mohamed NaiemScreen shot 2022-02-15 at 1.52.58 PM.pngOne of the most alarming issues educators and teachers discuss these days is the decrease of children's academic performance and the escalating aggressiveness among them. The scope of this awful fact has reached a dreadful point: teachers are only 'pushing' students from one grade level to another. In the meantime, electronic devices providing access to movies and video games that are full of sexuality and violence--intended for children-- are booming. As children's mental abilities (still in development) can be shaped by whatever they are exposed to, these digital devices, used mainly to entertain with movies and games, may have played a role in the wrong turn of children's education. In other words, the technological advance, that once was anticipated to enhance children's education, has turned out to be rather harmful to their cognitive and social skills development because technology marketers have set consumption, not education, as a main goal to electronic innovations. To investigate this matter deeply, I relied on works of renowned educationists in an attempt to raise awareness about this subject. Indeed, understanding how technology may harm some precious elements of our society, children, may draw parents' and teachers' attention so that they act to save kids before it's too late. To apprehend the topic at hand, I first explained what the basic objectives of children's education are. Second, I showed how technology may contribute in teaching and learning. Then, I detailed the harm the unguided use of computers and other consumption oriented technology tools may cause to children's health, behaviors, and education.

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Minority Language Education in Quebec

By Jeannette Novakovich on February 14, 2022 9:30 PM | 0 Comments
By GB Harding
Screen shot 2022-02-15 at 1.47.50 PM.pngQuebec parents have the right to educate their children in the language of their choice, in primary and secondary schools. These rights are immutable. Every child who attends English school will continue the rights for generations to come. Choosing an English school will stop the declining number of English schools in Quebec and ensure the survival of this important linguistic heritage.

Canada is a multi-cultural country where minority language rights instruction in education (English in Quebec and French in the rest of Canada) have been guaranteed under the law since the British North America Act.
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