THE LATE
FRENCH
IMMERSION
PROGRAM
Halifax Regional
School Board
INFORMATION
SESSION
2013
DESCRIPTION
 This
program is designed for students
whose experience with the French
language has been limited to elementary
Core French.
 The entry point of the Late French
Immersion Program is at Grade 7.
CANADIAN MADE!
 The
origins of the French Immersion
Program date back to 1965 in St. Lambert,
Montréal, Québec.
 Research shows that the Immersion
experience is the most effective way for
children to become functionally bilingual
without having adverse effects on their
social, academic or personal
development.
CURRICULUM

The French Immersion Program follows the
same learning outcomes as defined by the
Nova Scotia English Provincial Guides.
RESEARCH
 Many
language concepts and skills learned and
developed in French are similar to those applied
in English. Studies supported by CASLT
(Canadian Association of Second Language
Teachers) have shown that bilingual students
“appear to have a number of intellectual
advantages” such as the ability to think
abstractly and problem solve at an earlier age.
(http://www.unb.ca/slec/hot_topics/l2_children.html)
RESEARCH
 More
than 300,000 students are currently
enrolled in French Immersion programs across
Canada as compared to 75,000 in 1980-1981.
 More than 2 million English-speaking students
are studying French as a subject in school.
 More than 25% of young Canadians aged 18-29
are currently bilingual.
LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
 Students
acquire French language skills in
an environment modeled by the
teacher’s oral proficiency, literacy
awareness and pedagogical knowledge
of second language acquisition
strategies.
NOVA SCOTIA
 The
Late Immersion Program began
in 1985 in the former Halifax CountyBedford District School Board .
FRENCH IMMERSION CERTIFICATE


Students receive a French Immersion Certificate at the
end of grade 12 upon completion of course
requirements.
Upon completion, students should be able to:



function in a French-speaking community
accept a job where French is the working language
pursue university or college education
in French
FRENCH IMMERSION
HALIFAX REGIONAL SCHOOL BOARD


As of September 2010, HRSB has 38 schools
offering French Immersion (7-12).
Link:
http://www.hrsb.ns.ca/content/id/712.html
FRENCH IMMERSION
HALIFAX REGIONAL SCHOOL BOARD




Early French Immersion (5 Jr. High Schools)
Late French Immersion (12 Jr. High Schools)
EFI & LFI (9 Jr. High Schools – Dual Tracked)
FI (12 High Schools – EFI & LFI Combined)
PERCENTAGE OF INSTRUCTION
IN FRENCH (IMMERSION PROGRAM)

Primary- Grade 2
90%-100% (varies due to
Music and Physical
Education)

Grades 3-6
80%- 85% (formal
instruction in English is
introduced)

Grades 7-9
60%- 75%

Grades 10-12
50% (minimum of nine
credits taught in French)
INTEGRATED FRENCH PROGRAM
HALIFAX REGIONAL SCHOOL BOARD


Two schools within the HRSB offer an Integrated
French Program, which is comparable to the
Late French Immersion Program
Exception: Science & Math are taught in English
SPECIAL NEEDS SERVICES
 All
students should have equal access to
special services where available.
 It is recommended to have a close working
relationship among
French Immersion teachers,
Resource
teachers
and Parent(s)/
Guardian(s).
WHEN CONSIDERING THE LATE
FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM…
• How is your child’s social and
emotional development?
• Does your child have a positive selfesteem?
• Does your child have major
perceptual or auditory problems?
• Can your child adjust easily to
unfamiliar situations?
THE LATE FRENCH IMMERSION
PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO . . .
 enable
all students to communicate effectively in
French using listening, speaking, viewing, reading,
writing and other various means of representation.
LISTENING . . .
 uses
teaching strategies that foster a
positive classroom environment.
 helps the students achieve success in
French while learning the core subject matter.
SPEAKING . . .
• permits students to engage in
meaningful & constructive dialogue.
READING . . . FOR COMPRENSION
 Visualization
 Questioning
 Making
Connections
 Predictions
 Analyzing
WRITING . . . WITH A PURPOSE
•Ideas
•Conventions
•Word Choice
•Sentence Structure
•Organization
MATHEMATICS
• Students develop problem solving abilities
using a variety of communicative strategies.
SOCIAL STUDIES . . .
 enable
and encourage students to examine
isssues, respond critically and creatively, and
make informed decisions as fellow citizens of an
increasingly global community.
SCIENCE
• Laboratory experiments
• Research and observations
• Collection and analysis of data
• Science Fairs
TRIP TO UNIVERSITÉ
SAINTE-ANNE
 Each
Spring, Grade 7 students participate in
a 3 day trip where they are totally immersed
in an authentic French environment.
 They interact in French with other HRSB Late
French Immersion students, and enjoy an
educational cultural event.
THE LATE FRENCH IMMERSION
PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO …
 enable
all students to work and study
purposefully, both independently and
cooperatively.
THE LATE FRENCH IMMERSION
PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO …
 enable
all students to solve problems
individually and collaboratively.
THE LATE FRENCH IMMERSION
PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO …

encourage personal development of skills,
attitudes and values.
THE LATE FRENCH IMMERSION
PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO …
 enable
all students to express their ideas and
feelings in various art forms.
THE LATE FRENCH IMMERSION
PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO …
 enable
all students to locate, evaluate, adapt,
create and share information using a wide
range of sources and technologies.
THE LATE FRENCH IMMERSION
PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO …
 enable
all students to demonstrate a better
understanding of their own and others’ cultural
heritage with a particular emphasis on French
speaking communities.
THE FRENCH IMMERSION
TEACHER . . .
 has
an excellent command of the French
language (written and spoken).
 teaches the subjects according to the
established provincial guidelines.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT . . .
• is ongoing and collaborative
(English & French).
•Early Literacy
•New Math curriculum
•Oral Language development
•CSI (continuous school
improvement) etc…
PREPARATION AND SUPPORT FOR
PARENTS
 French
section of community libraries.
 HRSB website and French links.
 French language television.
 Extracurricular and community activities
which promote French language and
culture.
 Encourage your child to read in French.
USEFUL LINKS
• Canadian Parents for French
www.cpf.ca
• FSL Homework Toolbox
http://www.fslhomeworktoolbox.ca/index.php
• French Homework Tips for Parents
http://education.alberta.ca/parents/resources/you
canhelp.aspx
• BonPatron (created in Canada)
Online grammar checker. Targets typical errors
made by second-language learners of French.
www.bonpatron.com