CASLT’s FSL exCHANGE series invites stakeholders to continue the conversation about French as a second language (FSL) education. One of the most salient themes in our research and consultations about FSL teaching has been mentorship. To further explore perspectives on mentorship in FSL teaching, we ran an interactive survey through Mentimeter in the fall of 2024.
What Do FSL Stakeholders Think About Mentorship?
Respondent Demographics
In total, 51 people responded to the survey, representing teachers (including occasional teachers and teacher candidates), faculty members, curriculum consultants, FSL coaches or coordinators, and administrators.
Challenges for New FSL Teachers
The survey posed open-ended questions to identify challenges that new FSL teachers face in relation to mentorship. The following results emerged:
- Time: Mentorship often occurs outside of school hours, making it difficult for teachers to find the time to participate.
- Funds: Limited funds for release time can hinder the ability to engage in mentorship activities.
- Lack of Personnel: There is often a shortage of available mentors and personnel to cover classes, which can limit mentorship opportunities.
- Good Match: Finding a mentor with a similar assignment and a partnership that is bilaterally beneficial can be challenging.
- Accepting Help: New teachers may be hesitant to accept help due to fear of judgment from more experienced teachers.
Successful Mentorship Practices
To wrap up the survey in an actionable way, we asked respondents to share examples of successful mentorship practices. Their responses give strong insight into ways forward to support mentorship in FSL education.
- Practicum: Having an associate teacher during their practicum or being an associate teacher themselves was seen as highly beneficial.
- Colleagues in the School: Having other Core French teachers in the school provides a built-in support network.
- Supportive Administration: Non-additional language speaking principals who support French teachers can create a positive environment for mentorship.
- French Language Leads: Coaches or leads who specialize in French can provide targeted support and guidance.
- Peer Classroom Observations: Observing other teachers through rotations or visits can be a valuable practice.
- Professional Learning: Conferences, workshops, and professional learning sessions have a key role in making connections and sharing best practices.
Improving Mentorship Conditions in FSL
Here are eight ways that stakeholders can collaborate to improve mentorship conditions in FSL education:
1. Establishing and Supporting Mentorship Programs
- Recognize that informal and organically developed mentorship opportunities are the most valuable to teachers. Schools and districts can support these relationship roles as they emerge.
- Train mentors to equip them with the skills needed to support new teachers effectively. This can include workshops on communication, feedback, coaching techniques, and best practices in FSL teaching.
2. Allocating Resources and Time
- Secure funding for release time to allow mentors and mentees to have dedicated time for mentorship activities during school hours. This can help alleviate the time constraints that often hinder effective mentorship.
- Develop and distribute high-quality, research-based resources that mentors and mentees can use, including lesson plans, teaching materials, and assessment tools.
- Develop online resource-sharing platforms where teachers can share resources, lesson plans, and best practices. This can help reduce the burden of finding and evaluating materials.
3. Building a Supportive Community
- Encourage or develop peer networks where FSL teachers can connect, share experiences, and support each other. This can help combat isolation and build a sense of community.
- Host regular networking events, such as conferences, workshops, professional learning events, or webinars, where FSL teachers can connect, share experiences, and build professional relationships.
- Schedule regular check-ins between mentors and mentees to discuss progress, challenges, and goals. This ensures ongoing support and accountability.
4. Leveraging Technology
- Utilize video conferencing tools to facilitate virtual mentorship, especially in regions where in-person meetings are challenging. This can also allow for more flexible scheduling.
- Create online communities or forums where FSL teachers can interact, share resources, and seek advice from their peers.
- Offer and participate in online professional learning opportunities that focus on mentorship skills and FSL-specific teaching strategies.
5. Engaging Administration
- Ensure that school administrators are supportive of mentorship initiatives. This includes providing time, resources, and recognition for mentorship activities.
- Involve mentors and mentees in inclusive decision-making processes related to FSL education. This can help ensure that their needs and perspectives are considered.
6. Promoting a Positive Mentorship Culture
- Recognize and celebrate successful mentorships and achievements. This can help build a positive culture around mentorship and encourage more teachers to participate.
- Foster an environment that encourages open communication where new teachers feel comfortable seeking help and sharing their challenges without fear of judgment.
- Publicize and share success stories and case studies of effective mentorship in FSL education through newsletters, websites, and social media. This can highlight the benefits of mentorship and encourage wider participation.
7. Supporting Research and Evaluation
- Support or conduct research initiatives that explore the impact of mentorship on FSL teaching and learning outcomes. Use the findings to improve and refine mentorship programs.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of mentorship programs regularly and make data-driven adjustments to enhance their impact.
8. Addressing Specific Challenges
- Develop a system for matching mentors and mentees based on their specific needs, teaching assignments, and personal preferences. This can help ensure more effective and mutually beneficial relationships. Alternatively, when mentors and mentees develop a partnership on their own, support it.
- Provide opportunities for FSL teachers to improve their language proficiency through workshops, language courses, and immersion experiences.
The survey results underscore the importance of mentorship in FSL education and highlight both the benefits and challenges associated with it. By addressing these challenges and leveraging successful practices, we can improve the support system for FSL teachers and ultimately enhance the quality of FSL education.
Stay up to date with our FSL exCHANGE project and contribute to knowledge aimed at supporting and empowering stakeholders in FSL education. By working together, we can help reduce the avalanche of challenges facing FSL teachers.
