French Immersion

French Immersion

French Immersion provides children with an enriching experience that immerses them in the French language and French culture from their first day of school. English language instruction is introduced in Grade 3 and gradually builds to a balance of French and English instruction by Grade 5. This ensures that students gain effective bilingual skills. This program is designed for English and French speaking parents/ guardians so they can support their child to become bilingual.

French Immersion provides students with an understanding of intercultural awareness by exploring diverse cultures and develops skills in accessing and understanding information about various French speaking communities. Students also develop strong fundamental skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing.

• In Kindergarten, the teachers speak French all of the time. Students are immersed in a supportive French milieu and are encouraged to respond in French as much as possible with the goal of 100 per cent of the time.
• In Grades 1 and 2, 100 per cent of the classroom instruction is in French.
• In Grades 3 and 4, French language arts, mathematics, social studies, health and physical education, art (visual art, drama, music), science and technology are taught in French and English language arts is taught in English.
• In Grades 5 to 8, French language arts, social studies (history, geography), art (visual art, drama, music) and health and physical education are taught in French while English language arts, science (except Grade 5 and 6 which are in French) and mathematics are taught in English.
• Upon graduation from Grade 8, students receive an Elementary French Immersion Certificate. French Immersion students are encouraged to continue to study in the French Immersion Program at the secondary school level in order to graduate with bilingual qualifications.

French Immersion is offered at the following Rainbow elementary schools:

• Alexander Public School
• Chelmsford Valley District Composite School (K to 8)
• Confederation Secondary School (7 and 8)
• Lansdowne Public School
• Lasalle Elementary School (K to 6)
• Lasalle Secondary School (7 and 8)
• Lively District Secondary School (7 and 8)
• Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School (7 and 8)
• Northeastern Elementary School
• R.L. Beattie Public School
• Valley View Public School
• Walden Public School

Resources for Parents

The French as a Second language (FSL) Homework Toolbox/Trousse pour les devoirs website now has many new resources.

This site supports parents who have children in a French Immersion program and provides assistance to French Immersion students who require an accessible user-friendly reference tool to help with homework.

Helpful tips include:

A total of 33 new videos have been added, including 14 math videos covering concepts predominantly from the junior/intermediate level and 19 literacy videos focusing on the secondary level. More than 1,900 audio clips have also been added to the Toolbox category.

Other features include:

• New content in various sub-sections of the Toolbox such as Everyday Language, Adjectives, Expressions, Verbs, Prepositions and more
• Websites for History, Geography, Civics and Career Education
• Websites for templates and creative ideas