Page 3 - Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12 Native Languages

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Introduction
The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12: Native Languages, 2000 will be implemented in Ontario secondary schools starting in September 2001 for students in Grade 11 and in September 2002 for students in Grade 12. This document replaces the parts of the curriculum guideline entitled Native Languages, Part A: Policy and Program Considerations, Primary, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior Divisions, 1987 that relate to the senior grades.
This document is designed for use in conjunction with The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 to 12: Program Planning and Assessment, 2000, which contains information relevant to all disciplines represented in the curriculum. The planning and assessment document is available both in print and on the ministry’s website, at http://www.edu.gov.on.ca.
The Place of Native Languages in the Curriculum
Research on Native education confirms that when students develop the ability to communi- cate in a Native language, learning that language will reinforce, not interfere with, the learning of English, French, or other languages. In those First Nation communities where no Native language is spoken, the Native language program will serve to introduce the Native language. In those communities where a Native language is spoken to some extent, the Native language program will assist in the development and maintenance of that Native language. In commu- nities where people speak a Native language fluently, the Native language program will sup- port the use of that language as the language of instruction in subjects in which students would benefit from an understanding of the close relationship between language and culture.
For all students, learning a people’s language leads to a greater understanding and appreciation of that people’s view of the world and their way of classifying various aspects of the world.
The Native language program is not intended to make students fully bilingual; rather, the pro- gram offers students the opportunity to develop a functional command of a Native language, which can be expanded through further study or through contact with other speakers of the language.
Subject matter from any course in the Native language program can be combined with subject matter from one or more courses in other disciplines to create an interdisciplinary course. The policies and procedures regarding the development of interdisciplinary courses are outlined in the interdisciplinary studies curriculum policy document.