Language learning is an important part of the educational experience for our students, noted Julie Rousseau the
district’s Director of Instruction for Curriculum, in an overview on Modern Languages in the district. She
provided an update on initiatives undertaken to: support quality teaching and learning in the French, Punjabi and
other language programs; support access to language programs and services; as well as progress made towards
implementing the languages review recommendations from 2012-13.

Director Rousseau noted the Punjabi Language Program has 478 students enrolled in six schools (three elementary, one middle, two secondary).

Even though there’s a strong French Immersion (‘FI’) tradition in Abbotsford, she identified enrolment
challenges at the secondary level for both FI and Core French. In the meantime, a number of positive initiatives
are helping French instruction streams (FI and Core).

Other work includes: looking into interest in a Mandarin Chinese course; researching bilingual Spanish programs,
and a blended (in-class and online) learning pilot project.

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