Benefits of French Immersion

Research has demonstrated that students in French Immersion programs draw the following benefits:

• Develop their listening skills, focus and concentration;

• Learn organization, self-discipline and resourcefulness;

• Increase cognitive abilities to understand complex and abstract concepts;

• Enhance their ability to communicate in their first language;

• Acquire a third or fourth language much easier;

• Strengthen their problem-solving skills;

• Learn tolerance, insight and understanding of other cultures.

This program opens many academic, cultural and career options for children living in a global economy. Some areas where French is an asset includes tourism, the diplomatic service, politics, teaching, research, marketing and the civil service. Today, 30 percent of all job postings for federal public service jobs require the applicant to be fluent in both English and French.

Bilingualism is increasingly viewed as an asset that enables greater mobility. There are a number of Canadians running large international organizations across the world. The fact that they come from a bilingual country makes them more suited to understand and handle the various cultural sensitivities at play in the global economy.

Many parents who are thinking about enrolling their child in French immersion commonly ask “how can I help my child with their homework if I can’t speak French?” There are a number of steps you can take as a parent such as:

• Communicate regularly with the teacher;

• Read to your child in English or your mother tongue;

• Provide access to verb books, visual dictionaries and online resources;

• Provide access to French media such as books, videos and DVDs, music, TV, radio and the Internet;

• Provide encouragement and support for their academic efforts.

(Canadian Parents for French)