French Immersion Program FAQs
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.