Serious steps should be taken to transform an educational system from a Francophone to an Anglo-Saxon system, such as conducting a gap analysis, defining the vision, creating a transition plan, engaging stakeholders, adapting curriculum and teaching methods, providing language acquisition support, building infrastructure and resources, and collaborating with partner institutions.
This can be done except in a short time. The task is huge. The stakeholders need to adapt first. The educators should be trained to deliver courses in English, and if they do not have the requisite linguistic expertise to do so, it will be self-defeating. It will take a generation for this to be done. You should wait for learners who are taught in English to take the seat of their elders and teach. The parents are another impediment: if they have no or little English, they cannot follow their children at home. Then, you have the administrative staff, who need to tune to the English style and methodology of doing things vs. the French style of doing it.
I appreciate all your responses and ideas, however I'm afraid I have an opposing opinion.
the new generation is very open to all languages. they can acquire any language, learn and speak. the open globe and media facilitate any learning from any dimension and era. the stakeholders need to plan well and have suitable content, tasks and staff.
Transforming an entire educational system from Francophone to Anglo-Saxon in a short time is strongly discouraged due to the numerous practical, ethical, and educational drawbacks:
Practical Challenges:
Infrastructure: Textbooks, curriculum materials, educational software, and assessments would need complete overhaul at all levels, requiring significant financial investment and time.
Teacher Training: Upskilling all educators proficiently in English to deliver instruction with equivalent quality would be immensely demanding and resource-intensive.
Student Disruption: Abrupt changes would be disruptive to students, potentially harming their academic progress and causing emotional strain.
Accessibility: Not all students or educators may have equal access to English language resources or training, creating inequities and potentially excluding individuals.
Ethical Concerns:
Cultural Identity: Imposing a new language as dominant can negatively impact cultural identity, heritage, and sense of belonging.
Colonization History: For regions with colonial pasts, adopting the language of former colonizers can raise sensitive historical and political issues.
Educational Disadvantages:
Loss of Francophone Skills: Replacing French with English as the primary language may lead to a decline in French proficiency and its associated benefits.
Knowledge Loss: Switching languages in teaching may negatively impact the transmission of specific knowledge and cultural understanding embodied in French materials.
Teacher Expertise: Educators may not have the same depth of pedagogical expertise in English, potentially impacting teaching quality and student learning.
Alternatives:
Instead of a complete overhaul, consider more sustainable and ethical approaches:
Strengthen Bilingual Education: Promote English acquisition while continuing to value and develop French language skills, creating a truly multilingual and multicultural learning environment.
Gradual Transition: Implement English alongside French over an extended period, allowing for smoother adaptation and language development.
Focus on English for Specific Purposes: Offer targeted English language programs for specific sectors or vocations, meeting specific needs without replacing French entirely.
Remember, educational systems should serve their communities, respecting local languages and cultures while fostering internationalization and communication skills. A rushed and imposed language shift risks harming students, educators, and cultural heritage.