How does the French Immersion program work?

Much of what has recently been learned about language acquisition has inspired the immersion model: we acquire language through active immersion experiences. In French Immersion, French is used in the classroom for communication by teachers and students in a variety of contexts and subject matters. The goal is to develop a high level of oral fluency and literacy, encompassing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

The program offers a higher percentage of classes in French in the beginning and this percentage decreases as the students reach high school. Except for the French classes per se, the curriculum content is the same as in the regular English Program but the instructional language is French and students complete all assignments and activities in French. Resource, reference, and library materials are provided in French as much as possible. The following table illustrates the amount of curriculum which is delivered in French for each grade level.

Grade 6-7-8: 80 – 85% of core subjects in French.

Grade 9: 3 subjects taught in French : Mathematics 9, Social Studies 9 and French Language Arts 9. Some projects in REAL 9 are also required to be completed in French

Grade 10: 2 subjects taught in French: Social Studies 10 and French Language Arts 10

Grade 11 and 12: Intensive Semester where all 4 subjects are taught in French: Social Studies 11, French Language Arts 11 and 12, Independent Directed Studies 11

There is a French Immersion Provincial Exam for all students. Students who successfully complete the whole program from Grades 6 – 12 are awarded the BC Bilingual Dogwood.

French Activities and Events

The French Immersion teaching staff works hard to provide opportunities for students to enjoy enriched French language experiences.

Each year, grades 6, 7 and 8 immersion students stage celebrations “en français” Halloween and Christmas parties featuring skits, songs and dances created entirely by students. One week student exchanges to Québec are often available for grade 7 or 8 students.

Other events include French film afternoons, public speaking contests in French, video productions and various field trips at all grade levels.

In Grade 10, students may apply for a fully funded three-month exchange to Québec. Each French Immersion exchange student is paired with a Québec exchange student. From September to December, Québec students attend GISS; then GISS students spend February to April in Québec. Students who have travelled to Québec come home with many wonderful memories and experiences of another culture. This is considered a 4 credit course by the Ministry of Education.

Many organizations offer exchanges to France, French camps across Canada, and summer camps in Québec. We encourage students to look into all of these opportunities.

In May of their Grade 11 year, immersion students take the Grade 12 oral exam followed by the written exam in June.

French Immersion graduates may access various bursaries and grants to continue their university studies in French. Many study and work exchanges are available to graduates of French Immersion Programs.