“Becoming bilingual is not simply a matter of mastering the language, but rather of belonging and identity”
In this section, we offer resources to help teachers better understand identity challenges and support the development of a positive and legitimate linguistic identity in their students of French.
Developed by Dr. Monica Tang, coordinator of L2/L+ (second or additional language) Identity Framework projects at Simon Fraser University's Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs, you will find below video clips, posters and pedagogical material as well as ideas for activities you can adapt and integrate into your classroom to foster positive identity development.
This project is made possible by the French Teacher Recruitment and Retention Fund and the Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs at Simon Fraser University.
Video clips: testimonials from teachers in the field
In these short video clips, French Immersion and Core French teachers share how they applied an identity-focused approach in their classrooms. Have a listen and learn about specific activities that you could try!
Getting students to choose their own field trips
Thierry Bruxelle, French immersion high school teacher
Want to learn more about this activity? See lesson description here
How not to be the language police
Lara Gillen, French immersion middle school teacher
Ordering French crêpes: a step towards legitimacy
Nicholas Renaud, Core French Teacher
Want to learn more about this activity? See lesson description here
Upcoming Workshops and Conferences
Dr. Monica Tang travels across British Columbia and the country to present conferences and workshops. Come and meet her!
Winter - Spring 2024:
- January 29-30 - Prince George - Information and registration: Barb Campbell
- February 6 - Surrey - Information and registration: Beverley Bunker
- February 16 - Salmon Arm - Information & Registration: Megan Weir
- February 29 - Kamloops - Information & Registration: Fränzi Karlen
- April 11 - British Columbia Language Coordination Association (BCLCA) Conference, Kelowna
- April 22-23 - Victoria - Information & registration: Rosie Geuer
- April 26 - Abbotsford - Information & registration: Natalie DeWit
- May 3 - North Vancouver - Information and registration: Tracy Langer
- May 7 - Surrey - Information & Registration: Beverley Bunker
- May 16 - Kamloops - Information and registration: Fränzi Karlen
- June 12-14 - Canadian Association of Applied Linguistics (CAAL) Conference, Montreal
Dr. Monica Tang
Coordinator – L2/L+ Identity projects
Monica Tang has been working in French Immersion for almost twenty years. Currently, she works as a Coordinator at the Office of Francophone and Francophile Affairs at Simon Fraser University (SFU). Through her doctoral research on the bilingual identity of French teachers in British Columbia, she contributed to the creation of a new course for pre-service teachers at SFU (EDUC 410) that offers them language and identity support. She is also working on pedagogical resources in support of French Immersion students through an identity-focused approach. From kindergarten to graduate school, she seeks to help plurilingual teachers and students thrive and find joy in language learning.
For more information, contact Monica at monica_tang@sfu.ca