January 21, 2021
Forced to go online during pandemic, some new immigrants are quitting French lessons, group says
Director of non-profit organization says ‘French is crucial’ to feel a sense of belonging in Quebec.
A Montreal-based organization that offers government-sanctioned French lessons to immigrants has moved online because of the pandemic, but the group’s executive director says that’s forcing some people to drop out of class.
Up to 20 per cent of students are quitting Bienvenue à NDG’s online classes because they don’t have a proper computer or internet access, according to Luis Miguel Cristancho.
“They need support,” Cristancho said.