Early French Immersion Parent Information Meeting January 2004 Prepared by Kelly Burt Coordinator, Delta School District

“The key is that through Immersion they (students) are making their own lives more interesting. They are entering the room of their own lives and designing it with two doors instead of one; two doors leading to twice as many ideas, books, films, societies, indeed friends. It is a profound form of self- fulfillment.” John Ralston Saul CPF National Issue No. 82, Winter 2000

Program Objectives The major goal of Delta’s French Immersion programs is to provide the opportunity for non-Francophone students to become bilingual in English and French. A student who has successfully completed a French Immersion program can be expected to  participate easily in conversations in English and French;  take post-secondary courses with French as the language of instruction; and  accept employment with French as the language of the workplace.

% of total enrollment in French Immersion YearB.C.Delta Delta K-12 Fr.Imm. Population %8.3% %8.0% %8.0% %7.6% %7.7%1393 Immersion Across Canada  Started in Saint-Lambert, Québec in 1965  In Delta School District since 1981 Source: BC Ministry of Education

What is Immersion?  A second language acquired primarily by using the language for meaningful communication and instruction in other subjects  The students all begin not knowing the second language and instructional strategies and materials are designed with that in mind  The program begins with intensive instruction in and via the target language by teachers fluent in that language  Instruction of the subject material is never repeated in the two languages  The program is expected to take several years to achieve its objectives

The French Immersion Program  Additive, bilingual 13 year program  Start at Kindergarten or Grade 1 (Early) or Grade 6 (Late)  First language not French  Goal: functional bilingualism  Parallel academic standards  Students graduate with a bilingual Dogwood diploma upon completion of Grade 12

The Elementary Years Early French Immersion  K to Grade 2 : 100% French instruction  Grade 3 : English Language Arts introduced  Grades : 80% French instruction

The Secondary Years  Grades 8/9/10 : French Language Arts and a minimum of two other courses in French (currently Social Studies and Science)  Grade 11 : French Language Arts and a minimum of one other course in French (currently Social Studies)  Grade 12 : French Language Arts only required course in French  Secondary French Immersion currently offered at Burnsview Jr. High, North Delta Sr. High, and South Delta Secondary

French Immersion Teachers  Bilingual from all over the world  Speak with a variety of accents  Teach standard French

Frequently Asked Questions  Is Immersion for all children?  How can I help at home?  Will French Immersion have an impact on my child’s success in English or in subjects taught in French?

Is French Immersion for all children?  Optional program for all children of the appropriate age - children with learning challenges to gifted  No screening  Some children have difficulties regardless of language  Learning Assistance is available  Parental support and commitment

Characteristics for suitability (attitude, motivation, personality, physical)  First language acquisition - first language basics (colours, numbers, etc.)  Listening skills  Attention span  Enjoy language and willing to experiment  Emulate sounds  Aural/oral program - important to have good verbal/hearing abilities  Focus and stay on task  Follow directions  Receptive to change and able to cope with ambiguity  Handle frustrations; able to “muddle through” situations and try new things

How can I help at home?  Establish good rapport with your child’s teacher  Read to your child often in English  Be enthusiastic and positive  Encourage your child to use a buddy system  Provide a positive environment for study, homework and reading  Buy a few simple French books and some French CDs suitable to their age level  Provide opportunities for your child to speak French outside of the classroom  Continuing education - even though French Immersion is designed for children whose parents don’t speak French, parents may want to learn enough French to count, to know colours and other basic words, and to pronounce children’s vocabulary lists

Will French Immersion have an impact on my child’s success in English or in subjects taught in French?  No, in fact research over the past 30 years has consistently shown that children who are in foreign language immersion programs are not disadvantaged in any way when it comes to performing adequately in their native language  First two years, may temporarily lag in some skills (e.g. spelling) - usually disappears when English language arts is introduced  Phenomenon of transfer  Delta’s data and results support research that shows that immersion students perform as well as or better than their monolingual English peers on all standardized measures of mathematics, English writing and English reading comprehension after some English instruction has been added to the curriculum

Foundation Skills Assessment Grade 4 Students Meeting or Exceeding Expectations Delta School District, 2003

Foundation Skills Assessment Grade 7 Students Meeting or Exceeding Expectations Delta School District, 2003

Foundation Skills Assessment Grade 10 Students Meeting or Exceeding Expectations Delta School District, 2003

Canadian Parents for French  Non-profit organization - support group for parents of children in French Immersion  Membership funds are used for socio-cultural events, scholarships, summer camps and District & Provincial French Public Speaking Contest  Annual membership is $25  Visit Delta CPF website -

Delta’s French Immersion Elementary Schools  Devon Gardens Elementary  Richardson Elementary  Sunshine Hills Elementary  South Park Elementary  Ladner Elementary  Chalmers Elementary (Late French Immersion)

Benefits of Being Bilingual Learning a second language at an early age…  Has a positive effect on intellectual growth  Enriches and enhances a child’s mental development  Leaves students with more flexibility in thinking, greater sensitivity to language, and a better ear for listening  Improves a child’s understanding of his/her first language  Gives a child the ability to communicate with people he/she would otherwise not have the chance to know  Opens the door to other cultures and helps a child understand and appreciate people from other countries  Gives a student a head start in language requirements for university  Increases job opportunities in many careers where knowing another language is a real asset