TRANSCRIPT

1938
Question:
Aunty, could you tell me something about the school you went to?

Answer:
I attended a bilingual country school. I was born in early 1930s and was raised in the Montcalm School District which was a Francophone community. My brothers and I were fortunate to be able to learn both French and English in the school. It was only one hour of French daily and one half hour of religious education, and the balance of the day was English instructions.

The teacher was very strict during recess time. Anyone heard speaking French would get the strap. It was very scary for this small Francophone girl not to speak her language with her classmates.

I remember learning English in no time flat from my first English reader - Dick and Jane, "…run Jane run …" which is still in my mind to this day.