Research project on the economic and socio-cultural benefits of second-language immersion

Summary This Request for Proposal is intended to obtain the services of university researchers and experts in education and related fields in support of PCH’s efforts to better identify the factors at play in second-language immersion. The research project should allow for a response to one or more of the following objectives: With regard to participation in second-language immersion programs

to represent, using anecdotes or focus groups, the conditions favourable to continuing secondary and post-secondary education in immersion or, conversely, the reasons why immersion is abandoned; to identify the most important factors in continuing secondary and post-secondary education in immersion (quantitative approach) in Canada;

to identify and inventory the actual and perceived benefits of bilingualism among former students in second-language immersion programs; or to estimate, using relevant econometric tools, the medium- and long-term benefits of bilingualism, both individually and collectively.

to document the reality of “bilingualism” as an identity experience (analysis of pre- and post-immersion anecdotes); or to understand the cultural or sociological dynamic at work in learning a second language, particularly French.

The Department of Canadian Heritage reserves the right to decide whether or not to publish the results of this research, depending on whether or not it is relevant to its current strategic directions and policy priorities.