Schools in N.B. try new way to bring newcomer students into school life
CBC
A school day is routine. Home room, bell rings, grab books from locker, go to the next class. A well-orchestrated dance every child and teen in the country knows.
But for some newcomers to Canada, entering a school is like walking onstage for the first time. And typically, they're expected to stumble until they learn the rhythm.
But this year, schools in New Brunswick are trying to find a better way to integrate newcomer students into school life.
With some kids coming to the province with large gaps in their schooling, and most having learned a much different routine, the districts and government are trying to give the kids some rehearsal time.
The students are offered a so-called prep-year, where they still go to school but have a modified curriculum, where they learn the language and the culture first.
At St. Malachy's High School in Saint John, a handful of students from different continents watch language videos, hear about Canadian history and learn how to buy lunch at the market.
Connie O'Hearon, their teacher, said some students started this year with as few as three English words.