Is French immersion right for my child?
If your child will be starting grade 1 soon, one of the important choices you will make is whether you want to consider French immersion.
- What is the French immersion program like?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of the program?
- How can you tell if it's the right choice for your child?
This brochure will give you some information you need to help answer these questions.
Fluency in English and French is the aim of immersion
In the immersion program, students achieve a high level of proficiency in French, while they continue to develop English language skills.
In grade 1, students spend 90 per cent of their school time learning in French. From grades 2 to 8, they spend half of their school day learning in French and the other half learning in English.
In high school, students are required to complete 10 credits in French. By the end of the four year secondary school program, students will have successfully completed the sequence of four courses in French immersion and a minimum of six courses in other subjects taught in French. By the end of high school, immersion students have proficiency in both French and English. When they graduate, they receive a certificate of bilingual studies.
Students benefit from French immersion
The French immersion program is open to all students. If you want your child to develop proficiency in Canada's two official languages, and to learn about another culture, French immersion has a great deal to offer.
Children benefit from learning in two languages - their thinking and reasoning skills improve, and English language skills are enhanced.
Many parents also believe that French immersion will give their child additional career opportunities. We live in an increasingly global economy, so proficiency in more than one language will be an advantage for career development and will give students a competitive advantage in the job market.
How can you tell if your child will be successful in French immersion?
French immersion is open to any student starting grade 1. Based on more than 20 years of experience with immersion programs, we have found some characteristics that are common to successful students in French immersion. These characteristics are indicators to help you to make a good choice. We strongly recommend that you discuss these characteristics with your child's kindergarten teacher.
A successful student:
- is verbal and likes to talk
- has strong skills in his or her first language
- enjoys books
- imitates easily
- has a good memory
- is confident
- is a risk taker
- enjoys new challenges
- has demonstrated a successful transition from home to school
Immersion students read and write English as well as other students
One of the questions parents often ask is whether their child's progress in English or other subjects will suffer by being in French immersion.
While there may be an initial lag in some English skills in the primary years, immersion students rapidly catch up to students in regular programs, suggesting that they transfer many of their language skills from French to English. By the end of grade 6, immersion students have comparable English language skills to their peers in regular programs.
In grades 4 and 6, the Peel board conducts standardized tests of language and math skills. These tests are conducted in English. On these tests, French immersion students consistently score higher than their peers in English language reading, vocabulary and spelling and in math. French immersion students in grades 3 and 6 also perform above average on provincial reading and writing tests. These tests are conducted in English.
You don't have to speak French to help your child in French immersion
If I don't speak French at home, many parents ask, how can I help my child in French immersion? The French immersion program is designed for children of non-French speaking parents. Your involvement and support for your child's education is one of the most important things you can do to make sure your child is successful in school - that's true no matter what program your child is taking. Reading to your child regularly in English is one important role you can play.
Here are some other things you can do to help your child be successful in French immersion
- Learn as much as you can about the French immersion program.
- Show your child that you are committed to the program.
- Encourage your child and show an interest in what your child is learning.
- Find ways to expose your child to French or to use French outside of school time. Borrow French books from the public library, listen to children's music by French artists, watch some French television programs, and visit French communities.
Register as early as possible
French immersion is open to any grade 1 student in Peel who registers by the end of the second week of September. After that, only students from similar immersion programs or students with comparable French proficiency are eligible for entry into the program.
However, please register at your French immersion school as soon as possible. Registering early helps us plan for your child as effectively as possible. It also gives you and your child time to prepare for the start of the program.
Busing
The Peel board provides busing for the elementary French immersion program. Depending on how far you live from the nearest French immersion school, your child may qualify for busing. Check with your school for more information.
Other French second language programs are available
If you decide that French immersion is not the right choice for your child right now, your child still has the opportunity to learn French as a second language in Peel schools.
Core French - All students in grades 4 to 8 study French as a second language for 40 minutes a day. Students in core French develop a basic usable command of French. In high school, students need one core French language credit to earn their diploma.
Extended French - Another option to consider is the extended French program. This optional program starts in grade 7 and provides another immersion opportunity for students. Students spend half of their school day studying language arts, social studies and science in French. In high school, students take four credits in extended French and three credits in other subjects taught in French.
How can you get more information
This brochure is only one source of information about French immersion. You probably have many other questions. Here are some of the ways you can find out more about the program:
- Information meetings are held for parents at immersion schools around Peel. Watch the newspaper or your school newsletter for information about dates and times.
- Talk with parents who have children in the French immersion program. Your French immersion school can give you some contact names, or you can visit the Canadian Parents for French web site at www.cpfont.on.ca
- Ask your school about the French immersion school nearest you or call our planning department at 905-890-1010, ext. 2212.
- Visit the Peel board web site at www.peelschools.org and go to "Schools" for a list of French immersion schools and maps showing their locations, as well as other information about the French immersion program.
