Making the Choice: Learning French as a Second Language

English Prime  Kindergarten to Grade 3: Learning experiences to introduce French language and culture  Grade 4: Pre-Intensive French  Grade 5: Intensive French  Grades 6 through 10: Post-Intensive French  Grades 11 and 12: Post-Intensive courses available (optional) French Immersion (Grade 3 Entry)  the first entry point for the Immersion program Late French Immersion (Grade 6 Entry)  the second entry point for the Immersion program Three Program Options

French is taught through a literacy-based approach. During the Intensive French block in Grade 5, math, music and physical education are taught in English. Most subjects (such as science, social studies and math) are taught in French. This may vary from school to school. Most subjects (such as science, social studies and math) are taught in French. This may vary from school to school. The program is offered where numbers warrant (as per Policy 309). The program is offered where numbers warrant (as per Policy 309). Oral proficiency target of Intermediate Plus by the end of Grade 12 Oral proficiency target of Advanced by the end of Grade 12 Oral proficiency target of Intermediate by the end of Grade 12 The program is offered in all schools. English Prime French Immersion (Grade 3 Entry) Late French Immersion (Grade 6 Entry) Program Options

Grade 4: 150 minutes per week Grade 5: 60% of the school day for one term, and 150 minutes per week for the other term Grades 6 to 8: 200 minutes per week Grades 3 to 5: 80% of the school day Grades 6 to 8: 70% of the school day Grades 6 to 8: 70% of the school day High School In Grades 9 and 10, French is compulsory for all students in all programs. In English Prime, Post- Intensive French is offered in Grades 9 to 12. Some students may choose additional courses in French. In Immersion, students have 50% of courses in French in Grades 9 and 10, and 25% in Grades 11 and 12. Instructional Time in French English Prime French Immersion (Grade 3 Entry) Late French Immersion (Grade 6 Entry)

Performance targets depend upon various factors (e.g., personality, attitude, motivation, French language opportunities). Not all students will reach the program target and some will exceed it. English Prime students may choose to continue in Post-Intensive French in Grades 11 and 12. Those who achieve Intermediate in Grade 10 may also enrol in French Immersion courses offered at Grades 11 and 12. English Prime with Intensive French Late French Immersion Grade 3 French Immersion Intermediate by Grade 10 Intermediate Plus by Grade 12 Advanced by Grade 12 Student Performance Targets

New Brunswick Proficiency Scale

Intensive French uses a literacy-based approach focusing on the development of all communication skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing). Students speak, read, and write daily on a variety of themes of interest (e.g., me, my family, food, clothing, leisure, activities – sports, music, etc.). The program uses a project-based approach. English Prime with Intensive French

Pre-Intensive French (at Grade 4): 150 minutes per week in two or three blocks of time; this introductory phase allows students to build initial skills such as speaking in full sentences, reading simple texts and writing short texts Intensive French – Intensive Block: Approximately 60% of the day (3 hours and 15 minutes per day) Intensive French – Less Concentrated Block: Two or three times per week for a total of 150 minutes English Prime with Intensive French

Mathematics, Physical Education, Art, Music are taught in English all year English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Health and Personal Development and Career Planning are taught through a compacted curriculum during non-intensive term English Prime with Intensive French

Combined Grade 4/5 Classes Based on enrolment numbers Grade 4 students would not take Pre-Intensive French in Grade 4. Students entering Grade 4 would be enrolled in Intensive French in both Grades 4 and 5. A curriculum document and supporting resources have been developed for these classes. English Prime with Intensive French

Combined Classes Grade 3/4 Based on enrolment numbers In place of the Grade 3 learning experiences, students in combined classes will have the opportunity to take Pre-Intensive French in both Grades 3 and 4 (150 minutes weekly) Content will be adjusted accordingly English Prime with Intensive French

Post-Intensive French Grades blocks per week (200 minutes) of French Focuses on further development of oral, reading and writing communication skills Introduction of relevant and age- appropriate themes Post-Intensive French Grades hours per year Tasks are more demanding Reading texts include greater complexity Writing tasks are more complex English Prime with Intensive French

Development of the program occurred in consultation with second language experts and school district/school level educators Research on effective instructional practices influenced development Program is offered where numbers warrant (as per Policy 309) Grade 3 French Immersion Program was introduced in September % of instruction is in French English language arts instruction will continue to support first language development (approximately 150 minutes per week) Resources have been identified to support the program Grade 3 French Immersion - Overview

The Grade 3 year is divided into two blocks: Block One (September - November) Initial focus is on the development of French language skills through the exploration of topics such as students’ personal interests, preferences, the school and the community. Block Two (December - June) Students learn subjects through French in an integrated approach. Grade 3 French Immersion

Block 1 Instructional Time: 80% French September – November Grade 3 French Immersion French Literacy Modules:880 minutes per week Mathematics in French:300 minutes per week English Literacy:150 minutes per week Specialties (Art, Music, Physical Education): 220 minutes per week (minimum of 60 minutes in French)

Grade 3 French Immersion Block 2 Instructional Time: 80% French December - June French Literacy:575 minutes per week Mathematics in French:300 minutes per week Science, Social Studies, Health, Personal Development and Career Planning in French: 305 minutes per week English Literacy:150 minutes per week Specialties (Art, Music, Physical Education): 220 minutes per week (minimum of 60 minutes in French)

A specific schedule has been devised to ease children into the Immersion program. Grade 3 French Immersion

A minimum of 70% of instruction will be in French in Grades 6 through 8. Literacy skills are developed through both French Immersion Language Arts and English Language Arts In Grades 9 and 10, a minimum of 50% of the courses are taught in French Late French Immersion (Grade 6 Entry)

Emphasis is on developing student speaking, reading and writing skills in French at the beginning of the school year to help students transition to learning subjects in French Program is offered where numbers warrant (as per Policy 309) French Language Arts Grade 6 Curriculum was revised in 2014 Late French Immersion (Grade 6 Entry)

Grades 11 and 12 French is compulsory until the end of Grade 10 Students are encouraged to continue French to ensure program proficiency targets Post-Intensive French courses will continue to be offered in Grades 11 and 12 High School French Second Language Programs

Grades 11 and 12 Grade 11 and 12 immersion students are encouraged to maintain at least 25% in French French Immersion courses in Grades 11 and 12 will be available to all students with Intermediate or higher at the end of Grade 10 High School French Second Language Programs

Three great options… the choice is yours! Please visit the FSL websiteFSL website for more information.