| Why Learn French? Important Benefits of Second-language learning: � Learning a second language enhances first language skills often increasing first language vocabulary. � Learning a second-language helps to develop self-confidence and independent learning. � It helps to facilitate learning other languages. � It has a positive impact on all intelectual growth throughout life. � It enhances opportunities for employment as well as for travel and business. � French Immersion students have scored consistently higher than other students on provincial and national exams in all subjects. � Immersion grads are very successful in post-secondary Maths and Science. The Science and Math Myths Students in French Immersion follow the Manitoba Science and Math curriculum, which is the same for both English instruction and French Immersion. The majority of the concepts are based on words that are similar in English and in French and students are able to transfer knowledge and skills from one language to the other. Whether simple discoveries by Early Years students, or complex investigations of concepts in the Senior Years, students are using new words and increasing their knowledge as their peers are doing it in the English program. Provincial test scores show that French Immersion students perform as well as or better in Science and Math than their peers in the English program. On nation tests of thirteen and sixteen year-olds, French second-language students performed as well as or better than their peers in the English program. |
| How Does Immersion Work? Most French Immersion programs in Manitoba are Early Continuing Immersion. They begin in Kindergarten and students can graduate from Grade 12 with a French Immersion diploma. Here in Flin Flon the school division offers Kindergarten to Grade 8 French Immersion with limited French options in High School. Kindergarten is 100% French and this lays down a good foundation for acquiring a second-language. The teacher speaks French all the time, except in the case of emergency or if a student is in distress. The purpose of this year is to accustom the children to hearing the sounds of the French language as well as teaching them the rules and routines of school just as in the English program. While they may speak some French in Kindergarten it is normal for the students to speak to each other or to respond to the teacher in English. It has been shown that the children seem to naturally accept French as just another language of instruction and the fact that they are being spoken to in different words does not seem to cause them any increase in anxiety. In Grades 1 to 6 the students study in French for 75% of their day, with 25% or approximately one hour devoted to English Language Arts. Students learn to read in English in Grade 1 and then progress to read in French later in Grade 1 or at the start of Grade 2. In Grade 5 to 8 students study (at least) their core subjects in French for 50-75% of their school day. In Grade 9 to 12 students must take 50% of their courses in French including 14 required subjects, to graduate with an Immersion diploma. This is not available in Flin Flon at this time. Moms and Dads Wonder About� How will my child react to being in a class where no English is spoken? Immersion teachers use many strategies to aid understanding of the spoken word including gestures, pictures and demonstrations. So the children are able to follow what is said, even if they do not understand all the words. Children soon use French words and phrases to communicate with the teacher. They progress at varying rates through the stages of language learning just as they do when acquiring their first language. Can I help my child with homework if I don�t speak French? Most parents of Immersion students do not speak French, so most help at home will be in English. Parents can help with Math operations, English spelling, writing and reading. Answering questions, explaining concepts and giving their children good study habits will enhance learning in both languages. How do I know how my child is progressing? All communication between home and school is in English including report cards and parent/teacher interviews. How do we know Immersion works? Children progress in language learning at different rates but by the end of high school they are able to speak, read and write French, work or live in a French environment and take post-secondary education in French or English. Grads have the added benefit of being bilingual and many study other languages. Is Immersion for all children? With few exceptions, Immersion is suitable for all children. Any child who can learn to communicate in one language can acquire a second language through Immersion. How important are extra-curricular activities in French? The school can only do so much to give the children everyday experiences in French. So the more French-language activities the child can be involved in the better. Experiences like clubs, camps, TV and theatre, give the children opportunities to learn and use French outside the classroom and with many different language models. Why should I choose French Immersion for my child? Students of an Immersion program have an increased appreciation of other languages and cultures, enhanced career potential and a key to learning other languages as well as a more global view of Canada and the world. It opens one more door for them and for their future. What happens if we move to another town where there is no French Immersion? If Immersion is not available, children do very well in the Basic French program. If they have enrichment opportunities, they will continue to develop their French skills. Students moving into the English program find that although the words are different the concepts are the same so they make a smooth transition. What about help for learning difficulties? Immersion schools have bilingual support services teachers who help children with learning difficulties whether academic or behavioural in nature. Research and experience show that students with a variety of abilities will do as well academically as they could in an English program, provided they receive equivalent assistance. Language is not likely to be the cause of a learning difficulty. The same problems usually arise in other educational settings. What about College and University? French Immersion grads have many options. They can study in French or English, at universities in Canada and abroad. Universities recognize French Immersion courses for admission. Scholarships and bursaries are available for study in French or English. What can I do to help? � Encourage good study habits and provide French reference materials for use at home. � Enjoy French language activities, TV, radio, music, games, software and videos with your children. � Read to and with your child in English. � Keep in touch with the teachers. � Check out summer camps and exchanges. � Visit French websities together e.g http://www.cpfmb.com. � Try taking a French class yourself. You�ll enjoy it and impress your children. What is French Immersion? French Immersion is... � an effective way for children to become fluent in French while achieving all the objectives of the regular program � designed for children whose first language is not French � open for all children registering for Kindergarten or Grade 1 � a gentle and natural way of acquiring a language � an approach that enhances the child�s first language � a contributor to tolerance and an appreciation of cultural diversity � a door to future travel, study and career choices. In Manitoba, French Immersion is a recognized education program. Curriculum and support materials are provided by the Department of Education and Training. Expectations and evaluations are the same as those in the English Language program. French Immersion is provided in twenty-four school divisions in Manitoba. Fun Things to do in French: � Festivals and concerts. � Camps and exchanges. � Tours of museums and parks. � St.Boniface Library for videos, music and art. � International Children�s Festival. � Le Festival du Voyageur. � Le Cercle Moliere for theatre. � Le Centre culturel franco-manitobain for music and art. � Fun at Folkorama French pavillions. � For more local celebrations in French: www.franco-manitobain.org What About English? Students in Manitoba learn to read in English first, in Grade 1, then in French. National tests of reading and writing skills show that students in second-language programs score equally well in comprehension and expression as those in English-only programs. In Immersion, English language skills are taught intensively in blocks comprising approximately 25% of the school day. Speaking, listening, reading, writing, viewing and representing are essential learning outcomes. The new Language Arts curriculum takes advantage of the fact that in studying two languages children receive a double exposure to language skills. Skills are readily transferred between languages. In Early Years, students may experience a slight lag in mechanics like capitalization and spelling. This is a normal developmental lag, in the process of learning a second language. By the Middle Years, however, studies show that they have enhanced first-language skills. What Can Parents Do to Help? Read, read and read and then read some more, is the advice of teachers everywhere. Share the joy of reading with your children, from baby-hood onwards. Enjoy picture-books with the youngest and then move on to stories and novels with the older children. Make reading a family affair! The school and public libraries can supply books at all levels and fields of interest. Remember, they also have book and cassette sets in French, as well as interactive CD-ROMs in both languages, for you and your children to enjoy. Moms, Dads, Students and Grads Speak Out �When I could feel comfortable surrounded by French-speaking people and know that I could talk to them I knew I�d made it!� Cheryl, Late Immersion Grad. �Having more than one language is a gift I have given my children. It�s something that lasts their whole life.� Janet, Immersion mom. �Why French? Why not? It sure opened my eyes. My kids can go anywhere in Canada or the world and have a good chance of understanding anyone they meet.� Lawrie, Immersion dad. �It�s almost like going to school twice; when you learn in both English and French, you learn to see everything in two ways.� Mark, Immersion student. �It�s sure easier for a little kid to learn a language than for an adult. They�re equipped to learn more and learn faster. No wonder they soak up French!� Lynne, Immersion grad, Education student. �I didn�t want to limit my kids education to what I know. They�ll need more.� Barry, Immersion dad. �All the big names in information technology do business internationally and need people who can communicate in the primary languages of business. One of them is French. French language ability is definitely an asset for work in the high-tech sector.� Joe Blanchard, Director of Youth Employment Services. �My daughter has learning difficulties. She always will. But, she can speak both French and English and that has given her a lot of confidence.� Karynn, Immersion mom. |