French Immersion

École Charleswood School is a dual-track school that offers French Immersion instruction to students in grades 5 to 8.

French Immersion is one of the four official school programs recognized in the province of Manitoba. Its purpose is to offer families who want their children to become fluent in both French and English the choice of doing so. The program is over 40 years old in Manitoba and is established as an effective and proven second language educational program open to all young children from every background. The program starts in kindergarten and continues to grade 12.

Choosing to enrol in a French Immersion Program adds a language enrichment component to the education of young people. This phenomenon will contribute to their success in today's world and the world of the future, a world marked by rapid change on the social, economic and intellectual fronts, a world dominated by information technology and the global market. Curriculum Policy for the French Immersion Program in Manitoba (1996) p. vii.

In the French Immersion program, most courses are taught in French. The one exception is the English Language Arts class which accounts for about a quarter of the time.

The Immersion approach allows for an active and practical acquisition of the French language through subject matter acquisition.

FAQ French Immersion

FAQ section: excerpts from French Immersion in Manitoba (2002) and French Immersion Frequently Asked Questions January 2008 Pembina Trails School Division booklet.

1. What is French Immersion?
French Immersion is a K – 12 second language program and one of Manitoba's four recognized programs. Its goal is to have children achieve linguistic competency in both French and English while achieving all the educational and social outcomes of the English program.

2. For whom is French Immersion for?
French Immersion is designed for children whose first language is not French and who have little or no knowledge of French prior to entering the program. There are no entrance requirements for French Immersion. In most cases children begin French Immersion in kindergarten or grade 1.

3. What are some advantages of learning a second language?
People who speak a second language tend to be culturally sensitive and capable of resisting stereotyping. They enjoy broader access to literature, drama, films and music. Communication skills in the first language can be improved by the study of a second language. Learning a second language positively impacts all learning. In the 21st century of a knowledge based society, a bilingual person has "an invaluable added strength in life".

- Saul, John Ralston, Canadian Parents for French National News, Winter 2000

4. Why should I choose French Immersion for my child?
French Immersion provides a child the opportunity to:

•  achieve the curricular outcomes that mirror those of the English program
•  acquire a second language at no cost to academic achievement
•  possess enhanced academic, personal, social and career skills
•  master the English language
•  acquire a facility for learning other languages
•  develop creative and divergent thinking skills
•  to navigate/switch with more ease between cultures and languages
•  have insights into themselves as learners
•  obtain a broader citizenship education

5. Is French Immersion for every child?
French Immersion is meant for every child who can learn to speak one language. There may be challenges for children with specific speech, hearing or other difficulties, but it is expected that every child who can learn a first language can benefit from the French Immersion approach.

6. Isn't French Immersion just for gifted children?
No. French Immersion is intended for children of all abilities. All children eligible for kindergarten or grade 1 can enroll in the program.

7. What about help for struggling learners?
Immersion schools have bilingual support teachers who help children with academic or behavioral learning challenges. Research and experience show that Immersion students with a variety of challenges will do as well academically as they would in an English language program, provided they receive appropriate assistance. Children learn at different rates and in different ways regardless of their program.

8. If kindergarten is "100% French" do the children have to speak French all the time?
After a transition period, the teacher speaks mostly French and the students speak English. Once they learn the sounds and some words and phrases, most children start imitating their teacher and speak simple French. It is not expected that they will start speaking French without going through the development stages similar to those of learning their home language.

9. How do children handle learning two languages at the same time? Won't they be confused?
Most children who begin Immersion in kindergarten already know and speak another language very well. They have a fairly wide vocabulary and understand many grammatical concepts of the English language, or another language. They are not starting both languages at the same time in terms of language development.

10. Will my child succeed in French Immersion?
All children learn at different rates and in their own individual way. Most children will learn as well in French Immersion as they would in the English program.

11. What about Mathematics and Science courses? Should they be taken in English, especially in high school?
Throughout the first eight or nine years of the French Immersion program, Mathematics and Science are taught in French, contributing in no small manner to the overall language development of pupils. Our experience and the research indicate no reason to take Math and Science in English in high school. Furthermore, for graduates who have studied Math and Science in French in high school and in English in University, this is essentially a non-issue.

12. How will my child get to school?
If French Immersion is not offered in the neighbourhood school, free busing is provided for children from K – grade 6 who live more than 1.6 km away from their designated school. School divisions are responsible for this service.

13. How can I help my children with homework if I don't speak French?
Most parents of Immersion students do not speak French, so most of the help at home will be in the language of the home. The language of communication between home and school is English.

Parents can help:

•  support your child as a learner
•  encourage good study habits and provide French reference materials or web tools
•  read with your child in English or the language spoken at home
•  communicate with the teacher about your child's progress
•  find French books, CD's, DVD's and games
•  enjoy French films, plays and TV together
•  visit some French language websites with your child
•  provide French language experiences outside the classroom setting
•  encourage your child and ask questions
•  celebrate your child's effort, progress and achievements
•  praise effort and perseverance in homework and projects