French immersion

French immersion is a form of bilingual education in which a child who does not speak French as his or her first language receives instruction in school in French. In most French-immersion schools, children will learn to speak French and learn most subjects such as history, music, geography, math, art, physical education and science in French.

French immersion programming spread rapidly from its original start in Canada in the 1970s. French Immersion education is optional and not compulsory. Parents have the choice in sending their children to schools that offer such programming. Students are encouraged to begin communicating in French as consistently as possible. Teachers in French Immersion schools are competent in speaking French, having acquired specific French as a Second Language qualifications to teach all subjects in French. Classroom communication of French in French Immersion programs is meaningful and authentic for students. Learning French becomes subconscious and there is a strong focus on understanding before speaking. Most students that enrol in French Immersion programs are not experts in French and lack experience in it. Students in French Immersion programs complete the same core curriculum subjects as students in the Core program.

The French Immersion was designed to: (a) capitalize on children's ability to learn language naturally and effortlessly; (b) take advantage of their social ability and open attitudes to language and culture; (c) reflect on the building blocks of language by emphasizing the use of languages for communication and (d) not stopping the children from participating in native language development, academic achievement or general cognitive development.

Programs:

French Immersion: French as the language of instruction

Extended French: available only in Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia; French as the language of instruction for one or two core subjects in addition to French Language Arts

Intensive French: a more recent program which started in 1998 in Newfoundland and Labrador and branched out to six other provinces and the Northwest Territories; intensive period of French instruction for one-half of the school year (70% of school day in French)

Age: The age an individual begins the French Immersion program varies:

Early Immersion: Kindergarten or Grade One

Middle Immersion: Grade Four or Five

Late Immersion: Grade Six, Seven, or Eight

Time: The amount of time French Immersion students spend in immersion varies:

Total: commences with 100% immersion in the second language and continually decreases to 50%

Partial: commences with close to 50% immersion and remains at this level

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