The French exam gives future teachers a hard time, particularly those at the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières, where students have attempted to pass the test 19 times, without success.
Every year for at least three years, a UQTR student passes for the 19e times the section on the linguistic code of the Certification Test in French Written for Teaching (TECFÉE).
The data obtained by The newspaper show, however, that after 12 attempts, the chances of success are almost zero.
“In general, when they get there, we encourage them to reorient themselves,” says Priscilla Boyer, professor of French teaching at UQTR. With the shortage, however, it is very likely that these aspiring teachers will work in schools as non-legally qualified teachers, she adds.
However, these are exceptions since the vast majority manage to pass the exam, specifies M.me Boyer, who reminds us that all future teachers must achieve this to obtain their diploma, including those who will teach arts or physical education.
At UQTR, you must have completed at least one study session before trying your luck at TECFÉE for the first time. It is subsequently possible to carry out up to four inspections per year.
Declining success rate on first attempt
The newspaper reported this week that first-attempt pass rates are also down at many universities since the pandemic.
UQTR is no exception to this trend. In 2023-2024, this proportion even fell to 17%, whereas it was more like 26% two years ago.
The absence of selection in teaching programs, unlike other universities located in large urban centers, could partly explain the situation, indicates Mme Boyer.
Students are encouraged to take the exam as early as possible during their training, which helps provide support to those who need it later, she adds.
UQTR also welcomes more teaching students who are returning to studies after having left school for several years, which requires “good adaptation”, indicates M.me Boyer.
More generally, this expert also notes a “generation effect” linked to the “decline of French” across Quebec.
“It’s not that they’re not good at French, but it’s as if spelling becomes less important compared to other types of skills,” she emphasizes.
According to the figures obtained by The newspaper, the downward trend seems generalized in the vast majority of universities.
Only the latest cohort of teaching students at the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue managed to increase its success rate on the first attempt, which even climbed to 78% in 2023 compared to around 50% for the previous three years. .
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