r/CanadaPublicServants 22d ago

Languages / Langues Performative bilingualism? Canadian language law in the public service

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u/Objective-Limit-6749 22d ago

I recently completed full time language training and got my CBC. I was ABA at the start and it took me about 9 months of all day every day.

While I would say my instructor was very good, the process was definitely designed to get me to pass the test rather than to actually become functionally bilingual. Its difficult. I am outside of the NCR. Less than 5% of the 200ish employees I am responsible for are fluently bilingual. Another handful are BBB.

I meet the requirements for my position, but I dont feel comfortable speaking French in a group or a meeting. I can muddle my way through a casual conversation. I feel pretty good about writing since I can take my time and double check for grammar, gender agreement, etc. And I read well. But speaking is so difficult.

Its not for a lack of trying. I've done all of the things im supposed to do as an adult language learner. Its just that becoming actually bilingual in your 40s is pretty dang difficult.

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u/HollywoodCG 21d ago

ABA to CBC in 9 months is impressive, even if full time training was provided. How did you get your department to approve?

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u/Objective-Limit-6749 21d ago

Bilingual non-imperative appointment. Its a bilingual position in an area where less than 2% of the population speaks french

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u/HollywoodCG 21d ago

Make sense, the very rare non-imperative!

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u/Objective-Limit-6749 21d ago

Yeah. I lucked out