Quote:
Originally Posted by Tempest
I didn't "have" to take french in BC until high school and even then it was optional.. If you wanted to get into university and/or jobs where having it would be required, then you took it.
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I can see things being different in BC regarding required French in schools. But here in Manitoba we have the largest French community west of Quebec (St. Boniface) plus a sizeable metis population.
I will make one ammendment to my earlier post though. I took French up to and including grade 10. After that, well, I'm not even sure if there was a French class beyond the 10th grade, but if there was I didn't take it (or need it for credits).
As to the OP I'll say this: I don't speak Spanish either, but when I was down in Mexico and needed some assistance from the front desk and hotel security I easily made myself understood and my wishes known. Why? Because whenever I'm in a place where English isn't the main language I take the time to at least learn a few basic words and phrases to get by with. For here in Canada I have a small basic working knowledge of French, have been to and lived briefly in Montreal for several months in the past, and got by just fine. So no excuse for any French-speaking people travelling in W Canada not knowing a word of English or enough to properly ask for the phone or assistance from someone during an emergency. No excuse at all.