Schulich School of Education paves way for Algoma grads
Starting in the fall of 2014, Algoma University grads interested in teaching French will be able to take advantage of priority placement in Nipissing University’s Schulich School of Education.
Designed to meet the demand for qualified French teachers across Ontario, the new agreement will reserve 20 places each year for graduates of the Algoma-Nipissing French as a second language specialization program in the consecutive Bachelor of Education (Junior/Intermediate and Intermediate/Senior Divisions) program. Applicants must maintain a cumulative average of 70% on all university courses, and a 75% average in their French courses to be admitted.
“We are pleased to welcome interested Algoma graduates to the Schulich School of Education,” said Carole Richardson, Dean of the Schulich School of Education. “They are sure to be capable students and will enjoy all the advantages that an education degree from Nipissing offers, including outstanding professors, an exceptional student experience and a 95 per cent employment rate six months after graduation.”
“This landmark agreement affords Algoma graduates an opportunity to pursue a career choice as a teacher, across the province and beyond. Teacher education programs continue to see high demand and this agreement affords our students with a clear path into an excellent teacher education program that is otherwise very competitive for entry. French as a second language teachers have a comparatively higher success rate in securing employment as teachers,” said Algoma U’s Academic Dean, Dr. Arthur Perlini.
Students who choose to major, minor, or complete enough core French courses for a teachable, are eligible for one of these 20 spots.
“The French program at Algoma U is a really good fit for a student who is interested in teaching the French language at the intermediate or secondary level,” said Dr. Celia Ross, former President of Algoma University and French Professor at the University. “This agreement really opens doors for students who want to add an in demand teachable subject to an existing major, or want to concentrate on French as a first teachable subject in their careers.”
Dr. Ross also adds that all students are able to take French at Algoma U, although students without the prerequisite French courses at the high school level are directed towards remedial-level courses. She often meets with individual students prior to the course selection process in order to assess their level of competency and help them to choose the right first-year courses.
For more information on the agreement and eligibility criteria, please visit http://www.algomau.ca/academics/departments/modernlanguages/ or emailinfo@algomau.ca.