At Four Winds Public School, we proudly offer an outstanding French Immersion program from Grades 5 to 9.
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French Immersion
What Is French Immersion?
French Immersion is a highly successful approach to second-language learning. It is an effective way for your child to become functionally fluent in a second language while achieving all of the objectives of the regular school program.
French Immersion is designed specifically for children whose first language is not French. It is a program of choice, open to all children of the appropriate age.
Why Learn French?
Learning another language can help your child to:
- Increase cognitive abilities, creating a more flexible thinker
- Enhance communication skills in his or her first language
- Develop a deeper understanding of his or her own culture
- Improve overall school performance
- Make learning a third or fourth language much easier
- Improve listening skills
Knowing another language can give your child:
- A lifelong ability to build connections with others
- An increased understanding of and respect for other people of other cultures
- A competitive edge in the job market
- More opportunities to enjoy literature, art, music, theatre, sports, and travel
Interesting Facts About Our Program:
- The French Immersion program experienced significant growth, with enrollment increasing from 74 students last year to 87 this year.
- Three students achieved success in passing the DELF B1 exam last year, marking a milestone as the first time offered in our division. Sturgeon Public Schools is dedicated to offering DELF B1 exams in grade 9 and aiming for B2 level exams in grade 12.
- The French program celebrates Francophonie month with a school-wide Oiseaux de Feu Carnival held during the first week of March.
- Our French Immersion teachers, in collaboration with Campus St-Jean of the University of Alberta, welcome student teachers to contribute to French language education in the Edmonton area.
- The Official Languages in Education Program (OLEP) grant supports Four Winds in providing culturally-rich activities that enhance our school's French Immersion program.
- An impressive 95% of last year's grade 9 French Immersion students continued their studies in Sturgeon Composite High School's inaugural grade 10 French Immersion program within our division.
FAQs for Parents/Guardians
How does French Immersion differ from Francophone instruction?
Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees French language instruction to francophone students whose first language is French. The native language of the learner is French. In a Francophone program, all courses, cores and electives, are taught in the French language and correspondence to the parent/guardian is in French.
What is the difference between the Language Arts programs? (ie FLA, FSL, and Français)
FLA is French Language Arts for non-native French speakers. This course is completed while being a French Immersion learner.
FSL is French as a Second language, a Language Arts course for non-native French speakers taking French as an elective in a regular stream.
Français is the Language Arts course that a student completes in a Francophone school for native French speakers.
How do I help my child with their homework if I don't speak French?
Classroom assignments must comply with the curriculum outlined by Alberta Education.The qualified language teacher will progressively increase the learning tasks based on the student’s abilities. Should a student require additional support, the classroom teacher and the parent/guardian will work as a team to address the needs of the learner. Parents/guardians are always welcome to speak with the teacher to collaborate on ways to assist their child(ren) throughout their years of learning.
Can my child write their provincial exams in French OR English?
A French Immersion student can write a provincial exam in either English or French despite the language of instruction being in French, with the exception of the Language Arts exams. The transcripts of the course mark will be posted in the language of instruction. The exam will be identified in the language in which it was completed.
For example, a French Immersion student taking Social 30 will have Études Sociales 30 as the course name on the transcript but could have Social 30 as the exam on the transcript if the student writes the exam in English.
What is the DELF exam?
The Diplôme d’études de Langue Française is a series of exams administered to non-native French speakers as a method to measure a standard of comprehension based on the CERF. The exams can be taken as early as elementary level. The exam comprises 4 components of communication: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. A passing grade of 50% on each skill is required to be awarded the diploma. At Sturgeon Public Schools, students in grade 9 are eligible for the B1 diploma and students in grade 12 typically complete the B2 level. A student at the B1 level can converse independently and can maintain a conversation. A student at the B2 level gives evidence of fluency, independence, and spontaneity in regular interactions.
What qualifications must a French Immersion Teacher at Sturgeon Public Schools have?
A teacher applying for an available position in French Immersion at Sturgeon Public Schools must meet the minimum requirement of a B2 level competency. In addition, the shortlisted candidate completes an oral and a written component during the interview process.