English schools in Quebec are certainly a good way to practice your English skills and to learn new vocabulary because all courses are given in the target language. However, I think that there should be more strict rules to regulate the speaking of English outside the classroom in these schools. Indeed, I did my college studies in an English cegep in Quebec and everyone spoke French outside classes(bathrooms, corridors, etc.). According to me, English institutions remain a good way to learn English and to practice your English skills in Quebec, but I just don't think that one can only rely on that to speak English as fluently as a bilingual individual. Indeed, one has to get in touch with people speaking English in order to attain a perfect level of fluency in the language.

I agree with STremblay, English schools in Quebec are an good way for French speakers to know more about English and to learn some new vocabulary. Although, it is important that the practice of these new vocabulary is made: what I mean is that trips or meetings with native English speakers should be in the learning program for the benefits of the students. If they learn English in class, but as soon as they're out students start to speak in their first language, ENglish will never be acknowledge by these poeple. Therefore, I suggest that students must practice their English skills through trips or oral interaction with native speakers.

This is an interesting topic. I got contradictive thoughts about this subject. My first language is French and I realize the importance of preserving our national language. However, I believe that it is possible to do both: preserve our own culture while learning a new one. This is where english school's could play a role. Since the best manner to acquire a language is to start at a young age, these schools provide the best environment to learn this language. To conclude, I don't think it is a betrayal to educate our children. We have to rememeber that they still speak french at home.

I am also in favour of having English speaking only schools in Quebec. I think that having to use English all the time, hearing it everywhere and in multiple contexts is what’s best for learning a new language. That’s why I think that even though English schools are a great thing I think an immersion into another school somewhere where English is the first and only language is the best option because it gives no choice to the learners to use the targeted language. Because, here if you go to an English school chances are you will speak French outside the classroom with your friends while immersed somewhere else you won’t have a choice but to speak the targeted language.

Jeffrey

Personally, I think that English schools in Quebec are a great way to learn and speak English. In a French province, apart from larger cities like Montreal, there aren't many places to learn and use English. Although I do think it's important to keep the French language alive, I don't see much harm in having future generations be more bilingual than previous ones before them. English is called the "universal language" and sometimes even referred to as a sort of lingua franca for a reason. Being bilingual or multilingual is a great thing. Why not embrace it? So many people would love to be bilingual!

I think that English schools are a great way for children to learn a second language. The earlier they acquire a language, the better. I find it's a shame that Quebec doesn't give the freedom of choice of the language of education. I think that it would be possible for Quebec to allow students to attend English schools as well as preserve their French language and culture.
Since not everyone is eligible to attend English schools, francophone students only get a limited number of hours of English per week, and let's face it, it ain't very much. I think that if Quebec would modify Bill 101, and allow anybody to send their child to an English school, our society would be more open minded to the English language. I also think that many francophones do want to send their children in an English-speaking environment because they realize the importance of speaking English. Nowadays, English is one of the most common languages internationally used in order to communicate. Why not expose our children to this, and why not give them the opportunity to grow?

English schools are an excellent way of truly learning the national language in Canada. We are the only province that still speaks French even though we are surrounded by English ! We must understand that our kids will probably have to deal with language issues sooner than we think. Therefore, sending my children to an English school here in Quebec is an option that I would certainly consider knowing that they would greatly benefit from the experience. If we want to travel outside the province, we are forced to speak English whether we like it or not. So, learning the language sooner will probably be the best solution and English schools are an excellent way of doing it.

I read the comment about the fact that students in English schools tend to speak French in corridors or in the washroom, and it made me realized that we do the thing in our English classes at university. Even if we are studying in an English program, we do not always speak English in class... sometimes we are lazy or we don't know a word so we switch to French... I know we would benefit more from speaking English all the time, but since we are surrounded by French, it is difficult to do. Another thing I want to mention is that I think Quebec's school are good to learn English the way Quebecers learn it. Yes we have an accent and what's bad about it? Almost all Quebecers have one and we understand each other that way. When I hear someone speaking with a British accent, I find it difficult to understand. When I hear another Quebecer speak English, it's so easy to understand! Overall, I like how English is taught in Quebec and I think it is good because the people of Quebec becomes more and more bilingual. So it works!

I agree with the fact that English schools are a good way of learning English in a French community. The fact that it is fairly restricted to native speakers of the language until Cegep (St Lawrence) proves that Bill 101 has made its effects. Learning English in Quebec City might be a bit more difficult than in some other places in the province, but we must focus on the task to accomplish in order to achieve a level of English that is respectable. Parents should be allowed to choose the type of school they want for their students, and I personally don't think that it would put the official language of the province under any threat. The government is removing a great opportunity for young learners to become efficient in a language spoken all around the world. Unfortunately, it closes several job opportunies on the way for the future since our English program does not seem to be so appropriate for learners of English. Students do not have the will to learn English in French schools, which is not good for our future.

I think that Quebec is a nice place to learn English in the school but maybe not the best way. I think that the best way to learn English is to actually go to a place where English is the native language and where everyone speaks it. For me, immersion is the best way to learn a language because: your are surrounded by the language and the culture thus creating a more meaningfull bound with the language. Since going to an all English environment is not accessible for everyone I guess that English schools are a good alternative.

Many native speakers in Quebec City are very critical of the overall quality of both English and French taught in English institutions. From their standpoint, English here is plagued by Gallicisms and, although highly functional, subpar compared with elsewhere in Canada (or even with Montreal). French is even worse as students, at best, achieve a “school yard” level of language and cannot comply with French speaking universities minimal requirements. If you live here and you want your children to have access local private schools or “specialised profiles & curriculums” in public schools, it is advisable to let your kids go through the prescribed 4 years in an English school-board (so their own kids can have access to English education) and then have them finishing elementary in a French school.