French Immersion Program

February 28, 2024

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WHAT IS THE FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM?

The French Immersion Program is a unique approach to bilingual education, designed to help students become proficient in the French language. In this program, students who do not speak French as their first language are immersed in a learning environment where most of the instruction is delivered in French. By being exposed to the language in various subjects such as math, science, and social studies, students can develop their language skills in a natural and practical way.

Overall, the French Immersion Program offers students a valuable educational experience that not only helps them become proficient in French but also equips them with important skills that can benefit them in various aspects of their lives. By embracing this form of bilingual education, students can broaden their horizons, enhance their cognitive abilities, and increase their prospects in a globalized world.

Initially established in Canada in 1965, the French Immersion program has its roots in extensive research spanning decades, aiming to ascertain its efficacy in second language instructions in alignment with provincial education curriculum objectives. The program has flourished, now boasting over 28,000 enrolled students with continual grow and adaptation.

WHAT IS THE VISION/GOAL FOR STUDENTS OF THE FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM?

The goal of the French Immersion Program is to develop proud, confident, engaged, plurilingual global citizens. The French Immersion Program enables students to interact spontaneously, autonomously, and confidently in French with pride and ease. Their identity as Canadian citizens, competent in both French and English, creates lifelong opportunities and fosters openness to other languages and cultures.

For more information on the vision for the French Immersion Program in Manitoba, see www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/docs/french_imm/vision/index.html

WHO IS THE FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM FOR?

French immersion is an inclusive program intended for ALL students with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, various abilities and needs, and who have little or no knowledge of the French language.

WHEN CAN A STUDENT ENTER THE FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM?

In Manitoba, there are three official entry points into the French Immersion Program. No matter when students enter the Program, the intent is that students continue through to Grade 12.

In Brandon School Division, there are two entry points:

Early Immersion – Kindergarten or Grade 1
Middle Immersion – Grade 4

BENEFITS OF LEARNING FRENCH:

Helps develop cultural and intercultural skills.
Enhances problem solving abilities.
Provides access to both national and international opportunities.
Makes learning other languages much easier.

FRENCH IMMERSION STUDENTS:

Learn an additional language.
Become aware of different ways students around the world think and express themselves.
Become aware of the challenges they have overcome, and value their success in overcoming them.
Are able to study and identify links between languages, and benefit from them.
Develop greater independence and self-esteem.
Take charge of their learning of French.
Choose various ways to use French in their daily activities.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SINGLE-TRACK AND DUAL-TRACK PROGRAMMING?

Single-Track	Dual-Track
The French Immersion Program is the only program in the school. The entire student population is enrolled in the French Immersion Program.	The French Immersion Program and the English Program coexist in the same school. The student population is enrolled either in the French Immersion Program or the English Program.
French is the language of communication at all times among all teachers and other staff, students, and school leaders.	French is the language of communication between French immersion teachers and students, and may be the language of communication with school leaders and other staff.
Students are immersed in the French language in class. Speaking French is encouraged outside of class.	Students are immersed in the French language in class. Although speaking French is encouraged outside of class, there may be a higher prevalence of English.

PROPORTION OF TIME TAUGHT IN FRENCH

In Kindergarten, French is the language of instruction for 100% of the time.
From Grade 1 to Grade 6, French is the language of instruction for 75% to 80% of the time.
For Grades 7 and 8, French is the language of instruction for the majority of the time, from 50% to 85%.
For Grades 9 to 12, a minimum of 15/30 credits or 50% of instructional time is required to be taught in French in order to obtain a French immersion diploma.

WHERE IS FRENCH IMMERSION AVAILABLE WITHIN BRANDON SCHOOL DIVISION?

In Brandon School Division, there are four schools that offer French Immersion Programming:

École O'Kelly School K-4 French Immersion / K-8 English Principal: Ms. Sherry Baker Box 70, T-101 St. Barbara Avenue CFB Shilo, MB R0K 2A0 T: 204-729-0399 Email: okelly@bsd.ca	École New Era School K-8 French Immersion / K-8 English Principal: Mr. Jaime Lombaert 527 Louise Avenue Brandon, MB R7A 0X1 T: 204-729-3161 Email: newera@bsd.ca
École Harrison K-8 Single Track French Immersion Principal: Mme. Eva Eberts 415 Queens Avenue Brandon, MB R7A 1K9 T: 204-729-3200 Email: ecoleharrison@bsd.ca	École secondaire Neelin High School Grades 9-12 Principal: Mr. Baseswa Nundu 1020 Brandon Avenue Brandon, MB R7A 1K6 T: 204-729-3180 Email: neelin@bsd.ca