1950 - 1961
-Mr. J.A. Boyd
Interview: October 26, 1998According to Mr. J.A. Boyd, 1950 - 1962 was a unique era for French instruction. Evidently, textbook selection and teaching methods were greatly influenced by Miss St. John. She introduced short stories, dialogues, poems, letters and songs in her French textbook for the very first time. Students were to use the French language. During this era, the stress shifts from grammar, reading and translation to an increased emphasis on oral and listening comprehension skills.
There was one College of Education for all aspiring Secondary School French Teachers and that was the Ontario College of Education in Toronto. There was one professor, Miss Helen B. St. John, teaching the French course at Ontario College of Education. There was one textbook, Cours Primaire de Francais, written by Miss St. John. Every school in the province used this book. It was a real revolution!
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