Quick Chat: Today’s Canadian Classroom

The profile of a typical Canadian classroom today is very different than it has been in the past, even as recently as a decade ago. 

It’s not surprising to find that 70 or 80 percent of the students come from households where English is not their first language. In some situations, that number is even higher.

Today, it’s usually not one single language dominating in the classroom.  Immigrants come from all over the world to Canada, and they speak dozens and dozens of languages and dialects.

While some might say that poses some serious challenges to the teacher and to the class, Rahat Naqvi is looking at the other side of this issue. 

Naqvi, an associate professor in the Werklund School of Education is undertaking research funded by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) that considers the opportunities such rich diversity brings to all students.

Audio:

• Quick Chat (10:12)