French Heritage Language Communities in the United States Dr. Fabrice Jaumont San Antonio, November

2  Vitality of French in the United States  Reacquisition and Recognition of French in Maine  Institutionalization of French in Louisiana  New York’s French Bilingual Revolution  Conclusions Outline

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Overview of French Language Communities in the United States  5th most commonly spoken language other than English in the U.S  1,322,000 speakers, but more if we include nationalities who have had French as their main instruction language at school (U.S. Census Bureau, 2009)  Widely present both in traditionally French- speaking areas (Louisiana and Maine) and in urban settings and regions with increasingly significant French-speaking immigration  Given the widespread presence of French as a global language, numbers of speakers in the U.S. are expected to grow. 4

French in the United States 5

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French heritage education  Most French-speaking families in the U.S. want their children to maintain their French language skills while adapting to their new American environment. This is also the case of young new immigrants.  Although there have been severe challenges in terms of opportunities to maintain instruction in French in the U.S. school system, new educational solutions have emerged over the years.  134 schools in 27 states and 85 cities offer dual language instruction in French and English.  46 bilingual schools follow French National Curriculum  There are new forms of educational support for Francophone students, including French Heritage Language programs in public schools and community-based organizations.  Parent-led community organizations offer after-school French for heritage speakers (EFNY, EFGB, EFBA, EFGH...)  Private language institutes offer after-school and Saturday school for heritage speakers 7

 Strong historical ties between the United States and France, and the United States and Canada.  These historical bonds have proven robust over the years and continue to unite these countries in front of major global challenges.  9 million Americans claim French ancestry  French is currently spoken by 1.3 million people at home in the United States (ACS 2012, people over 5 years).  Privileged status: 2 nd most commonly studied foreign language in US schools and universities with over 1,2 million students. (U.S. Census Bureau, 2012) 9

Maine 10

Revitalization / Reacquisition in Maine  Franco-Americans and Acadians who moved to Maine for economic reasons in the early 20 th century  Immigrant communities that were persecuted, even by the KKK  Lost generation, language loss and reacquisition  Desire to reconnect with the older French-speaking generation and learn their French  Desire to teach all variants of the French language, including the local variant in Maine 11

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Bridging the gap between generations Mlle Nancy Ma, Bates College Apprentice and Madame Morin, Cultural Associate Opportunity for the cultural associate and the student apprentices Building desire, because the students are experiencing real, interested, and interesting people using the language.

Louisiana 14

CODOFIL The Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (1968), a state agency whose purpose is to represent and meet the cultural and educational needs of all of Louisiana’s French language populations. support the development of French immersion programs in schools across the state generate greater socio-cultural economic development in French- speaking communities. combat erosion of French in Louisiana.

Sustainability through Legislation and Institutionalization 2010CODOFIL mission 2011State-certified immersion schools 2012International high school resolution 2013Immersion Choice Act Immersion Choice Act 2.0 Seal of Biliteracy

Sustainability through Economic Viability  French is important because the culture is carried in the French language. But we [also] need to move that outside of the classroom setting, make it a social language, make it an economic language. (Joseph Dunn, July 5, 2012) 17

Multi-Target Advocacy

French immersion as backbone  9 parishes  28 schools  191 teachers 4,424 students  4,424 students

NYC FRENCH BILINGUAL REVOLUTION

French-speaking People in New York City French spoken at home (5 y & older - American Community Survey, 2011) French including Patois, Cajun French Creole23,000 ( *) French + French Creole who speak French Includes French speakers 5 to 17 years (NYC 15.3%) Estimated French speakers under 5 years (NYC 6.3%)6 000 Estimated Total French speakers ** (5 th place after English, Spanish, Chinese & Russian) *Total number of French creole speakers. According to Sociolinguist Flore Zephyr, 20% of Creole speaking people are bilingual in French ** does not include language speakers who declared other language (West Africans, etc)

 children who have French as heritage in NYC,  enough to fill 25 schools (NYC average 1/647)  Time 2 if considering NYC’s TWI model (50% native + 50% non- native)  BOTTOM LINE: More Schools NEEDED  Fundraising effort  High School

23 West Africans and Haitians tend to be invisible or overlooked as French speakers, because they are not “French.” Most of these students have French as their formal education language but not necessarily as their first or only social language. Although they speak the language fluently, some students may have interrupted formal education, limited writing / reading skills in French. They fled their home countries for reasons of war, natural disaster, or poverty and may experience difficulties integrating at school. All consider French to be an integral part of their identity.

 parent associations have been critical in promoting French heritage programs and language support  generating the larger community’s interest and governmental support necessary to sustain heritage programs  a solid tri-partite partnership – strong commitment from the education leadership, qualified teachers who understand the needs of heritage speakers, and ceaseless involvement from the parents at all levels.  the fruit of multiple partners 24

Thank you Dr. Fabrice Jaumont nyu.academia.edu/FabriceJaumont Merci!