Originally Posted by CDSmith

Saying "9 years" makes it sound like a lot, but actually it's only a few classes per week for that time. And not every French teacher in western Canada for example is fully fluent in French. In other words it's hit or miss for most Canadian kids as to how much actual French lingo they'll retain.

I not only had those 9 years but also worked in a French speaking hospital for nearly 15 years, and STILL I am far from fluent. I can get by with what I know in certain situations, but when someone starts going off with a fast stream of it I'm as lost as the next guy.



Actually that's not quite accurate. In the schools I attended here in Manitoba taking French was mandatory up until grade 8. From grade 9 and up it was an elective. That was in the 70's, and today my young neices and nephews all have to take it as well.

But as it happens I opted to take it from 9 through 12, and as I said still can't speak much of it. It's just not intensive enough, and coupled with the fact that most kids I knew just weren't all that serious about it and only took it for the credits and, well, there you have it.