A Toronto school board may open a new multi-language elementary school that would allow students to learn two or three different languages in addition to French.
The Toronto Catholic District School Board is looking into converting an existing school that closed in 2011 into a multi-language school for children as young as 4. The school would allow students to learn German, Spanish and Mandarin in addition to traditional French immersion.
TCDSB Chair Michael Del Grande told CTV's Canada AM on Thursday that the idea for the school was inspired by his travels through Europe.
"In countries like Switzerland, for example, they teach English, they teach French, they teach German, they teach Italian," he said.
"I feel it's an opportunity for Canada… It opens up so many possibilities for our young people who are having difficulty finding jobs."
The school would be at the site of the former St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic School, located at 100 Fundy Bay Blvd., near Warden and Finch Avenues in Scarborough.
Though details are being ironed out, an early proposal suggests students would learn traditional subjects such as math, science and history in French, similar to the existing French immersion programs in Ontario. They would also be able to study two or three additional languages throughout the week. After-school language programs would also be offered.
"The education needs to be relevant to the world economy," Del Grande said of giving students the choice of German, Spanish and Mandarin.
"Because Canada's a trading nation, we need to be in there more. We need to be having our students trained and helping the Canadian economy in the long term."
Though the project is geared towards helping graduates have an advantage in the job market, Del Grande said starting the language program as early as possible is key.
"Research indicates that the younger you get them, the more their minds are able to absorb many languages. The plan is to basically start at the kindergarten level and move them up. If it's successful then my next task will be trying to find a high school to continue that education as well."
If the school board finds there is sufficient interest, there will be no boundary restrictions for admission. Any student would be allowed to attend, regardless of where they live in the city. However, the board warns on its website that no transportation services would be provided.
Del Grande's plan is to start with a kindergarten class of 75 students in September 2016, and grow the school one grade at a time. The school has room for approximately 260 students, he said.
The school board is looking for feedback from parents, and has posted a survey online that is available until May 15.
