French Immersion is…French Immersion is…

a program designed specifically for a program designed specifically for students who do not speak French at students who do not speak French at homehome

a long term investment (it takes about a long term investment (it takes about 7 years to learn a language)7 years to learn a language)

open to all childrenopen to all children

A French immersion A French immersion graduate…graduate… has studied in French from gradeshas studied in French from grades

K or 6 - 12K or 6 - 12 has a bilingual provincial has a bilingual provincial

Dogwood certificateDogwood certificate is functionally bilingualis functionally bilingual

A functionally bilingual A functionally bilingual person can…person can… participate easily in French participate easily in French

conversations conversations accept employment with French accept employment with French

as the language of workas the language of work take post-secondary courses with take post-secondary courses with

French as the language of French as the language of instructioninstruction

Benefits....Benefits....

Personal:Personal:

• Self esteem & confidenceSelf esteem & confidence• Cultural awareness & appreciationCultural awareness & appreciation• Communication skillsCommunication skills• Academic achievementAcademic achievement• Ease in learning more languagesEase in learning more languages

Benefits....Benefits....

PracticalPractical

• Increased job opportunitiesIncreased job opportunities• Ease of travelEase of travel• Exchange programsExchange programs• Eligibility for post-secondary bursariesEligibility for post-secondary bursaries

Why French?Why French?

Canada has two official languages: Canada has two official languages: English and FrenchEnglish and French

French is a world language, spoken in French is a world language, spoken in 51 countries51 countries

French, along with English, is the French, along with English, is the official working language of the United official working language of the United Nations,Nations,NATO, IOC, Red Cross and many other NATO, IOC, Red Cross and many other global organizationsglobal organizations

A larger % of the world’s population A larger % of the world’s population speaks more than one language speaks more than one language

Early ImmersionEarly Immersion

Begins in Kindergarten (or grade Begins in Kindergarten (or grade 1)1)

Late immersionLate immersion Begins in grade 6Begins in grade 6

Langley French Langley French Immersion Enrolment Immersion Enrolment

2008-09 2008-09

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

EarlyImmersion

LateImmersion

SecondaryImmersion

Total: 1446

Overview of Langley French Immersion Programs: K-12

French ImmersionPrograms

James KennedyEarly

Noel Booth Late

ParksideLate

Walnut Grove

Secondary

Alex HopeLate

BelmontEarly

Aldergrove CommunitySecondary

Brookswood Secondary

What subjects are What subjects are taught?taught? The content of French Immersion The content of French Immersion

programs parallels that of the programs parallels that of the English language curriculumEnglish language curriculum. .

From Grade 4 to Grade 12, English From Grade 4 to Grade 12, English Language Arts is provided. Other Language Arts is provided. Other courses may also be offered in courses may also be offered in English. English.

Secondary curriculumSecondary curriculum

Typically “required” courses are offered Typically “required” courses are offered in Frenchin French

e.g. Social Studies, French Language, e.g. Social Studies, French Language, Planning 10Planning 10– Students still have room in their academic Students still have room in their academic

programs to choose elective coursesprograms to choose elective courses Grade 11 – Social Studies 11 & Français Langue Grade 11 – Social Studies 11 & Français Langue

11 11 Grade 12 – Français Langue 12Grade 12 – Français Langue 12

OpportunitiesOpportunities

Concours d’Art OratoireConcours d’Art Oratoire – French – French Public Speaking Competition (all Public Speaking Competition (all levels)levels)

Cultural activities Cultural activities Exchange programsExchange programs Summer language bursary Summer language bursary

programs (for senior students)programs (for senior students)