Information for Parents new to French
Immersion
Welcome to the wonderful world of
FRENCH IMMERSION
Our goals for this evening
We will explore
what the French
Immersion
program looks
like.
We will discover
different ways
that we can help
our children in
French
Immersion
We will ask
questions to
help clarify any
uncertainties
that we may
have.
Merci…Thanks for giving your child the gift of a second language
French Immersion at the
GECDSB
“Our vision in French Immersion is for our students to
have the confidence and ability to use French
effectively in their daily lives.”
What it isn’t?
What is French Immersion?
The most effective way to learn a second language
Children will learn the French language as the vehicle of expression in
all curriculum areas rather than learning about the language in
isolation.
Students engage in
conversations, ask
questions and learn
math, science, social
studies and the arts in
French!
French Instruction
Core French
Gr. 4 - 8
Approx. 600 hours of French Instruction
•55 elementary schools
French
Immersion
K-8
K&1
Program Instruction in French, Incidental & Safety in English
Grades 2 – 5
75% French, 25% English
Grades 6 – 8
50% French, 50% English
•Bellewood, Giles, McCallum (Single Track)
•Kingsville, Lakeshore, Sandwich West, Tecumseh Vista Academy (Dual Track)
Secondary
French
9 – 12
Core French
•4 language training
courses in French
•14 secondary
schools
Extended French
•4 language training courses in French
•3 content area courses offered in French
•Kingville DHS
French Immersion
•4 language training courses in French
•6 content area courses offered in French
•Belle River DHS, Herman SS, Sandwich SS,
Tecumseh Vista Academy
How will your French Immersion benefit your child?
• Strengthens first-language skills
• Opens the doors for learning additional languages
• Strengthens problem-solving and creative-thinking
abilities
• Heightens awareness and appreciation of French
culture and diversity
• Broadens global perspectives
• Increases opportunities for international travel and
study
• French is a benefit for employment opportunities!
How can you help?
Parent engagement matters. Study after study shows
us that student achievement improves when parents
play an active role in their children’s education, and
that good schools become even better schools when
parents are involved.
A parent’s role in French
Immersion
Parents and schools share responsibility for children’s education.
How can you prepare your child for learning French?
A positive outlook, a commitment to
supporting your child’s education, and
a belief in your child’s ability to learn
provide a strong foundation for a
positive experience in FSL.
Learn the language together!
http://www1.tfo.org/mini/
http://toutpetits.telequebec.tv/
http://www.radio-canada.ca/jeunesse/
http://www.larousse.com/en/dictionaries/french-english
http://www.onf.ca/chaines/jeunesse/
http://comptines.tv/
How can parents help with homework if
they don’t speak French?
- Read, read, read! Read to your child in your first language!
Model strong literacy skills in your language and instill the love of
reading at home.
- Get to know your child’s school and teacher;
- Participate in orientation sessions, meet the teacher nights and
parent-teacher conferences
- Open the communication between you and the teacher;
- Consider online and after-school homework help
- Check out this site:
And if my child struggles, what should I do?
Remember, your child is learning a
second language.
Research shows that students learn
languages differently and at different
paces.
Remember that they are learning all
subjects in French; time and support
will be required for your child to
achieve in all subject areas.
Consider in-school and outside
supports.
“In early immersion programs,
students gain fluency and literacy in
French at no apparent cost to their
English academic skills. Within a year
of the introduction of formal English
language arts, students catch up in
most aspects of English standardized
test performance.” (Cummins, 1998)
How do I help my child understand the benefits of
continuing to learn French for years to come?
It comes down to involvement, motivation, confidence, attitude,
acceptance and willingness to learn !
- encourage school trips in French
- purchase books / magazines in French
- consider visits or trips to French speaking areas
- go to the library and read in French
- sing and play with the French language
- visit employers and education institutions where French is
predominately used
Do you have any
questions?
We are here to help!
David Joseph
Languages Consultant
Greater Essex County District School Board
(519) 255 -3200 x 10218
david.joseph@publicboard.ca