The Universite de Moncton is taking a second look at its language proficiency requirements after several students have been forced to end their studies because their French isn't good enough.
Corina Styles was three years into her education degree at the university until she failed a special program designed to help Anglophone students at the school.
“The goal was to graduate with a Bachelor of Education and be able to work in New Brunswick,” said Stiles. “I didn't want to leave the province. In order to do that, I have to be bilingual.”
Students have three chances to score 76 per cent on the nine-part test, and Stiles came up short on one module.
And she's not alone: 18 students failed the course this year.
“Everyone's really upset, really frustrated,” said Stiles. “They told us really late, so we couldn't transfer to a different university, different program, because it was past the deadline.”
This isn't a new issue on the university's radar. Administration has been looking at making changes to the program as the number of students passing has slumped.
The university says the test is fairly new. They're going to look at the results, but that doesn't help the 18 who have just been cut.
“First year, 100 per cent – everyone would do well. The second year, as well,” said Isabelle Vienneau, vice-president of academic affairs at the university. “Last year, three of the students who had written the test had to be excluded because they didn't pass. But this year has been alarming because of the 18.”
Despite it being too late for Stiles and her former classmates, she feels some good can still come of it
“The goal from this is to get them to really relook at this test, make the changes that are necessary so future students don't have to go through what we are now,” said Stiles.
Stiles says her journey in primary education won't end here, as she will continue her education at Crandall University.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Cami Kepke.
