If you're a teacher looking for work, you should think about teaching French just about anywhere West of Quebec.
School boards across Canada are struggling to keep up with the increased demand in French immersion programs.
Enrollment has jumped 65,000 in five years, leaving many open positions and many more students on waiting lists.
“I think it says that parents understand the opportunity to give their children the ability to converse and speak and think and (interact) and engage with different cultures and different languages,” Fiona Benson, McGill University’s associate dean of academic programs, told CTV.
Some boards are pulling out all the stops to entice top recruits.
“We’re offering a moving allowance for people out of the province, up to $1,500,” Cheryl Douglas, the manager of recruitment and retention at the Vancouver School Board, said. “And we’re also offering temporary accommodation.”
French-speaking teachers now have their pick when it comes to landing a job right out of school, which is not the case for those who spend months, sometimes years, waiting to secure a permanent English job.
“It’s really exciting,” Larissa Girvan, a soon to be graduate from McGill University’s education program, said. “I mean, just to hear that they’re ready to fast-track me if I contact them right away and that there are 10 positions ready to go.”