French Program Test - School District No. 43 (Coquitlam)

1080 Winslow Avenue, Coquitlam, BC, V3J 0M6| Phone: 604-939-9201| Contact Us

School District No. 43 (Coquitlam)

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French Program Test

CORE FRENCHWhile Canadians speak many languages, our country has two official languages: French and English. From Grades 5 to 8, all students in B.C. are required to have second language instruction. Core French is taught in every one of our elementary and middle schools. The program is also offered in every secondary school as an elective.The Core French Program:helps students develop a positive feeling towards French language and the francophone population throughout the world;increases awareness and understanding of the values, customs and other elements of the French culture, particularly as experienced in Canada; increases, within realistic limits, the ability to communicate effectively in French.For more information, please contact:Ms. S. Bergeron, Language and Culture Coordinator 1100 Winslow Avenue, Coquitlam, BC V3J 2G3604 937 6392sbergeron@sd43.bc.ca EARLY FRENCH IMMERSIONStarting in Kindergarten, the Early French Immersion Program is an alternative program that offers all students whose first language is not French the possibility of completing the prescribed B.C. curriculum and learning French at the same time.The Early French Immersion Program:helps students develop strong communication skills in both English and French;expands cultural horizons and;helps prepare students for the global economy.From Kindergarten to Grade 2: 100% of instruction is in FrenchIn Grades 3-5: 80% of instruction is in French.In Grades 6-8: 70% of instruction is in French.In Grades 9-10: 50% of instruction is in French.In Grades 11-12: 25% of instruction is in French. Which schools offer Early French Immersion? École Coquitlam River (K-5)École Nestor(K-5)École Kwayhquitlum(6-8)École Glen(4-5)*Program phasing out to WestwoodÉcole Panorama Heights (K-5)École Maillard(6-8)École Glenayre(K-5)École Porter Street(K-5)École Maple Creek(6-8)École Irvine(K-5)École Rochester(K-5)École Pitt River(6-8)École Kilmer(K-5) École Westwood(K-3)*Program phasing in from GlenÉcole Dr. Charles Best(9-12)École Mary Hill(K-5)École Banting(6-8)École Riverside(9-12) The program is being phased out of École Glen Elementary and phased in at École Westwood Elementary over the next three years. LATE FRENCH IMMERSION Starting in Grade 6, the Late French Immersion program is an alternative program that offers students whose first language is not French the possibility of completing the prescribed B.C. curriculum and learning French at the same time.The Late French Immersion Program: helps students develop strong communication skills in both English and French; expands cultural horizons and; helps prepare students for the global economyLate French Immersion is a two year program of choice offered by School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) at the Grades 6-7 level. After Grade 7, students continue in French Immersion to the end of Grade 12.In Grade 6: 75% of instructional time is in French. Exploration subjects are usually taught in English. English Language Arts are not taught in the first year of late immersion. In Grade 7: 65% of instructional time is in French. English Language Arts and Exploration subjects are usually taught in English. Which schools offer Late French Immersion?École Citadel (6-8)École Moody (6-8) École Montgomery (6-8) Application Process for Early and Late French ImmersionChildren entering Kindergarten in September 2021 must apply through the programs of choice online. If applying for Early French Immersion at the Grade 1 level, parents should contact Sophie Bergeron at 604-937-6392 and should not apply online. Kindergarten children with siblings in the program still apply online and will be given highest priority (provided the sibling will still be in attendance the following school year), if space is available.Children with siblings in a program of choice must still apply online.Applications are processed by RANDOM DRAW. To register for: Early French Immersion for September 2021 Apply on the main page of our website, starting Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 9 a.m. to Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 4 p.m. Late French Immersion for September 2021 Apply on the main page of our website, starting Friday, January 8, 2021 at 9 a.m. to Thursday, January 14, 2021 at 4 p.m. For more information, please contact:Ms. S. Bergeron, Language and Culture Coordinator 1100 Winslow Avenue, Coquitlam, BC V3J 2G3604 937 6392sbergeron@sd43.bc.ca

FAQs

Q1. Is it necessary for children to know some French before enrolling in French Immersion? [+]

No, children are not required to have any background in French prior to entering either Early French in Kindergarten or Late French Immersion in Grade 6.
Q2. How quickly do children learn to speak French? [+]

Comprehension of spoken French develops first. The ability to speak develops more slowly. In the Early French Immersion program, students start to communicate spontaneously in French by Grade 1. In Late French Immersion, students are expected to speak with some fluency by the end of the first year of the program (Grade 6).
Q3. What if we do not speak French at home? [+]

It is not necessary for you to speak French for your child to be successful in the French Immersion program. The programs are designed for children of non-French speaking parents. You can help your children with their French homework by talking things through with them, in English. You can help them formulate and prioritize their thoughts, coach them on time management, encourage them to think critically, or guide them to where they can find the answer for themselves. The ability to manage workloads, be clear in communication, break down a problem, and be resilient in the face of stress or failure are all competencies kids need to learn — whether in English, or French.
Q4. What if English is not our first language? [+]

Evidence indicates that English Language Learners enrolled in French Immersion perform as well as their Anglophone counterparts, and ELL students who come to French Immersion having already developed literacy in their home language often perform even better than Anglophone students.
Q5. Will children be getting the same program as they would in an English class? [+]

Yes, all programs regardless of the language of instruction, must follow the same curriculum laid out by BC Ministry of Education. The BC curriculum framework is available in both English and French at www.curriculum.gov.bc.ca.
Q6. Will my child’s level of achievement be adversely affected if instruction is in French? [+]

Most children who receive their education in French are able to achieve the same levels of competency in all core subjects as those children who have had all their instruction in English.
Q7. What percentage of classroom instruction is actually in French? [+]
As students progress through the French Immersion Program and develop a strong command of the French language, the percentage of instruction decreases. This allows for formal instruction of English Language Arts and flexibility in course selection at the secondary level, while ensuring the maintenance of a high level of proficiency in French.
Early French Immersion
- From Kindergarten to Grade 2: 100% of instruction is in French
- In Grades 4-5: 80% of instruction is in French.
- In Grades 6-8: 70% of instruction is in French.
- In Grades 9-10: 50% of instruction is in French.
- In Grades 11-12: 25% of instruction is in French.
Late French Immersion
- In Grade 6: 80% of instructional time is in French. Exploration subjects are usually taught in English. English Language Arts are not taught in the first year of late immersion.
- In Grade 7: 70% of instructional time is in French. English Language Arts and Exploration subjects are usually taught in English.
Q8. What if my child experiences difficulties in French Immersion? [+]

A child may experience difficulty learning at school, and in French Immersion, for any number of reasons. Initially, the child's classroom teacher provides additional assistance for students. If this does not address the challenge, a consultation is arranged with the school and family. From there, based on the individual situation, supports will be provided.

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