At Morinville Public School, we proudly offer an outstanding French Immersion program beginning in Kindergarten, and continuing on through to Grade 4.
French Immersion
What Is French Immersion?
French Immersion is a highly successful approach to second-language learning. It is an effective way for your child to become functionally fluent in a second language while achieving all of the objectives of the regular school program.
French Immersion is designed specifically for children whose first language is not French. It is a program of choice, open to all children of the appropriate age.
Why Learn French?
Learning another language can help your child to:
- Increase cognitive abilities, creating a more flexible thinker
- Enhance communication skills in his or her first language
- Develop a deeper understanding of his or her own culture
- Improve overall school performance
- Make learning a third or fourth language much easier
- Improve listening skills
Knowing another language can give your child:
- A lifelong ability to build connections with others
- An increased understanding of and respect for other people of other cultures
- A competitive edge in the job market
- More opportunities to enjoy literature, art, music, theatre, sports, and travel
Early Immersion: The Gentle Approach
In a typical French Immersion kindergarten classroom, the teacher uses French all of the time, speaking in English only if a students' health or safety is at risk. Gestures, mimes, pictures and objects are used to help children better understand. Songs, poems, storytelling and choral speaking as well as routines or sequences of activities (such as beginning the day with "bonjour" ritual and then calendar and weather routine) are also used to help familiarize student with words and ideas and to encourage their earliest attempts to speak the language. Through watching and listening, students begin to recognize words and phrases. Soon, they are singing along, joining in during the choral speaking and peppering their sentences with French words.
For the first couple of years, students are not expected to speak French all of the time. Children will insert French words into their sentences as they learn them. The teacher uses repetition and role modelling just as you did when your child was learning his or her first language.
In all other aspects, a French Immersion kindergarten is the same as an English Kindergarten. The same kind of themes and concepts are introduced and the same activities are carried out. The only exception is the inclusion of some aspects of French-Canadian culture.
FAQs for Parents/Guardians
Do French Immersion students study the same curriculum as children in the English program?
Yes, with the exception of the French Language Arts (FLA) curriculum, the French Immersion program follows the curriculum guidelines set by Alberta Education. The curriculum is the same for all other classes: Science, Social Studies, Math, Physical Education, Health, and Art. Students also start English Language Arts at the beginning of Grade 3.
What if I don't speak French?
Don't worry, there is no expectation that parents need to be able to understand or speak French. However, there are many things you can do to ensure your child's second language experience is both positive and lasting.
Encouragement is key. Be supportive and enthusiastic. Research shows that students whose parents have positive attitudes to French do better in French Immersion programming.
You can also help your child by exposing him or her to French language and culture outside of school. Any activity that allows use of the language builds skill, vocabulary, motivation, and confidence.
How do I help my child with their homework if I don't speak French?
Classroom assignments must comply with the curriculum outlined by Alberta Education.The qualified language teacher will progressively increase the learning tasks based on the student’s abilities. Should a student require additional support, the classroom teacher and the parent/guardian will work as a team to address the needs of the learner. Parents/guardians are always welcome to speak with the teacher to collaborate on ways to assist their child(ren) throughout their years of learning.
How does French Immersion differ from Francophone instruction?
Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees French language instruction to francophone students whose first language is French. The native language of the learner is French. In a Francophone program, all courses, cores and electives, are taught in the French language and correspondence to the parent/guardian is in French.
What is the difference between the Language Arts programs? (ie FLA, FSL, and Français)
FLA is French Language Arts for non-native French speakers. This course is completed while being a French Immersion learner.
FSL is French as a Second language, a Language Arts course for non-native French speakers taking French as an elective in a regular stream.
Français is the Language Arts course that a student completes in a Francophone school for native French speakers.
What qualifications must a French Immersion Teacher at Sturgeon Public Schools have?
A teacher applying for an available position in French Immersion at Sturgeon Public Schools must meet the minimum requirement of a B2 level competency. In addition, the shortlisted candidate completes an oral and a written component during the interview process.
Can my child write their provincial exams in French OR English?
A French Immersion student can write a provincial exam in either English or French despite the language of instruction being in French, with the exception of the Language Arts exams. The transcripts of the course mark will be posted in the language of instruction. The exam will be identified in the language in which it was completed.
For example, a French Immersion student taking Social 30 will have Études Sociales 30 as the course name on the transcript but could have Social 30 as the exam on the transcript if the student writes the exam in English.
What qualifications must a French Immersion Teacher at Sturgeon Public Schools have?
A teacher applying for an available position in French Immersion at Sturgeon Public Schools must meet the minimum requirement of a B2 level competency. In addition, the shortlisted candidate completes an oral and a written component during the interview process.