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
 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