Ross Road LAte French Immersion

Late French Immersion Program

The Late French Immersion Program runs from Grade 7 to Grade 12. The goal of the program is to have students graduate from Junior High feeling comfortable conversing in the French Language, starting with foundational learning and ramping up quickly. In Junior High School, 70-75% of their classes are in French (French Language Arts, Social Studies, Healthy Living, Math and Science.) In High School, students need to complete 9 Immersion credits in French in order to complete the program.

Progression

Early in Grade 7, there is a strong focus on speaking and listening activities. Therefore participation is strongly encouraged in order to best develop vocabulary and fluency. As the year progresses, students are expected to justify their opinions when speaking with short sentences. By the end of December, students will be writing basic paragraphs and by the end of June students will be able to write basic three paragraph essays. Early in the year, students will focus on reading strategies. As students develop these strategies the texts will get increasingly more difficult.

In Grade 8, the French Language Arts classroom will look more like an English Language Arts class as students’ competencies develop. Their writing is expected to include much more detail and they will begin to read low level chapter books. Students will complete many presentations throughout the year.

In Grade 9, Students are preparing for high school and they will complete a 5 paragraph essay, a debate and a 5-10 minute presentation on a topic of their choice.

Frequently asked questions

If parents don’t speak French at home then should we enroll our child in French Immersion?

Teachers are here to help support your child and the work that students are expected to do at home will be explained in class. If students go home and are still confused after using a dictionary or the word reference app then we suggest that they come and speak to their teacher the following day. We do not want students at home upset because they don’t understand an assignment.

When students graduate, will they be awarded a bilingual certificate?

This doesn’t exist. Upon completion of Grade 12 French Immersion students will be awarded a French Immersion certificate. The program will give students a solid foundation for furthering their studies in French. The Immersion staff at Ross Road are students of the Immersion program and we all furthered our education in French at the University level.

Is the curriculum different from the Regular Program?

The French Immersion Program follows the same curriculum as the Regular Program. In Grade 7, especially early on, there is a heavy focus on vocabulary. Although the curriculum in content courses will move at a slower pace than the English classes early on, the pace will pick up significantly after Christmas.

Is Math class offered in English or in French?

As with the other courses in your child's schedule, Math will be taught in French. In the beginning a focus will be on vocabulary, but as we progress we will be discussing mathematical concepts in French. To offer some comfort, the mathematical concepts come first with French language in Math coming second. That is to say the focus will be on whether your child can add and subtract fractions before it will be whether they can understand what "ajouter et soustraire les fractions" means.

Considerations before deciding if French Immersion is the right choice for your child

• How is the child’s emotional and social development?

• How do they handle challenges?

• Can they work independently?

• Are they self-motivated?

• Do they struggle significantly with needing to be their own leader?

• How might pre-existing learning, perceptual or auditory challenges play a role in my child's experience?

• Does your child want to enroll?

Keys to success

• Work independently

• Speak French at all times

• Participate in class and informal discussions to develop vocabulary

• Complete all assignments on time