Grade 2, 3 & 4 parents: Take our second language survey!

The district is inviting parents and guardians of Grade 2, 3 and 4 students to participate in a brief survey about their interest and preferences for second language programming offered in Surrey and White Rock schools.

The purpose of the survey is to learn more about parental preference for second language learning, with the results assisting the district with long-range planning for second language offerings. Starting today (Monday, April 24), current Grade 2, 3 and 4 parents will directly receive an email with the survey link. The survey will take approximately five minutes to complete and is available in English, French, Spanish, Tagalog, Arabic, Hindi, Punjabi and Chinese.

“The Surrey Board of Education values second language learning as well as the opportunities that parents have for choice in their student’s educational programs,” said Laurie Larsen, Chair of the Surrey Board of Education. “Whether French, Punjabi, Spanish, Japanese or Mandarin, our district offers a range of opportunities, particularly at the secondary school level. We wanted to gather more information and background from parents on your opinions on our course offerings.”

The Ministry of Education requires that students learn a second language in Grades 5-8. French, an official language of Canada, is offered in all Surrey and White Rock schools, however, the board may decide to offer other languages in addition to French. The district also currently offers Punjabi as an alternative second language in six elementary schools.

The survey will ask your child’s grade, what school they attend, and your interest and opinions on language programming offered in the district. Parents and guardians may choose to only answer questions they feel comfortable with. Your decision to participate will have no impact on you or your child at school.

The survey deadline is Friday, May 12. Participation is voluntary and anonymous. One submission is allowed per family.

Please note that responding to this survey does not guarantee enrolment in a language course or guarantee a program will be available. The survey is only intended to gather information. Offering a second language program in the Surrey School District depends on a number of factors, including the ability to hire qualified teachers as well as the long-term sustainability of any program offered.