Timeline and Checklist
This section aims to give an overview of the different processes that come into play when thinking about starting a French DLI Program. Pulled from different experiences, these steps are meant to bring inspiration and be readapted to best accommodate specific contexts.
Starting a French DLI Program Timeline
This timeline includes steps to launching a French DLI program. Steps may need to be re-adatped, re-ordered and amended to fit your particular context.
1. GATHER INFORMATION
Advocate for DLI
Gather information about the cognitive, social and academic benefits of DLI programs, current research and policies on their implementation, and reviewed case studies
Advocate for French DLI
Build a rationale and convincing argument for starting a French DLI program
Visit existing French DLI programs
Reach out for interest
Identify families, at least 18-30 students who will start Kindergarten in the opening year
Send out emails, distribute flyers to potential parents, to see if there is enough interest to start a French DLI program
Identify an under-enrolled school that could host a program
2. ENGAGE KEY PLAYERS
Gather a Team
Gather a team of advocates willing to put time and effort into planning and implementing a French DLI program
Set up committees (event-planning, grant-writing, proposal writing, etc.)
Garner School Support
Collect data about the identified school's mission, potential and needs using the first wave of identified parents
Seek out the support of the principal, assitant principal, school board members, current teachers, parent coordinators and advocates, PTO/PTAs, etc.
Meet with City and District Leaders
Research the names and role of your city's council members, district world language specialists, superintendents and plan meetings with them, using the information you have gathered and evidencing a community interest.
Reach out the Cultural Services of the French Embassy for support to your French DLI Program
3. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Support Financial Efforts
Familiarize yourself with educational grant cycles and funding opportunities
Secure the purchase of materials through funding and grant writing at the district and state levels
Plan a fundraiser to involve your community
Recruit Teaching Staff
Become familiar with local requirements for teaching staff and where to recruit French DLI teachers (local universities and graduate schools...)
Advertise open positions in your community and on local job boards
Starting a French DLI program_online.pdfStarting a French DLI Program Checklist
The printable non-exhaustive checklist of steps to launching a French DLI program, with key actors to be included in the decision making process.
Steps may need to be amended and re-ordered to fit your particular context.
French Immersion Proposal Final 10-5-18 (from Anchorage).pdfFrench Immersion Proposal Anchorage
Timeline of Anchorage's Language Advocates steps to obtaining district school board approval of the launch of a French DLI program.