In core French, your child learns French as a specific subject within the curriculum of English-language schools. In French immersion programs, ideally all activities and learning, except for English language arts classes, are in French.

There are two principal differences between core and immersion French programs: the kind of exposure to French, and the amount of it. In immersion, instruction is mostly in French. Subject areas, like math, music, and science, are taught in French. The second language is the medium and not the object of instruction. Core French curriculum, on the other hand, concentrates on speaking, listening, reading, and writing in French.

Yes. Students can achieve a moderate level of proficiency in core French programs while graduates of early French immersion are expected to be functionally bilingual.

French Immersion is an optional program in which the students study the same curriculum as in the English stream program, but in which the language of instruction is French. Ideally all activities and learning in a French Immersion program except for English language arts will be conducted in French. The percentage of instruction in French varies from school jurisdiction to school jurisdiction.

Immersion is suitable for children of all academic abilities. French immersion may present an additional challenge to your child but it is not to be confused with enrichment. It is a program developed for the specific purpose of giving Anglophone school children the opportunity to become bilingual, while still maintaining their English skills. The Immersion method was created for children whose classroom language is not their first language.

Core French (or Basic French) is a program in which French is studied as a subject within the English stream program. The amount of French studied in a school year per week varies from school jurisdiction to school jurisdiction. Some programs start in elementary school, while others begin in high school. French is usually offered as an option at the high school level. For more information on the Core French program, please request a free copy of Core French Q & A from CPF.

NDV is not a French immersion program but all student receive French instruction daily. There are two French language teachers; one for the primary grades (K-3) and one for the upper grades (4-8). [Back to Top]

French Immersionâ?? means classroom instruction is entirely in French. Students learn the entire Saint Paul Public Schools curriculum while learning French. A city-wide option, L'Etoile du Nord French Immersion School (pronounced: lay twal dew nor), is open to all Saint Paul residents.

Yes, we currently have several French Immersion students studying math, science, geography etc. When scheduling an Initial Evaluation, please be sure to mention that your child is in French Immersion, and please specify whether or not it is important that your tutor speak/read French. Many French Immersion students find that a French speaking tutor is not essential for core subjects.

Absolutely. Studies have shown that there is no reason why immersion programs should not be suitable for any child. High academic ability generally gives a child an advantage in reading and writing skills, however, research has shown that it is not related to performance in French speaking skills.

French Immersion programs are offered in every province and territory across Canada. Canadian Parents for French publishes the CPF Immersion Registry which lists all immersion programs in Canada.

According to the 1997 Annual report of the Commissioner of Official Languages there were an estimated 317,000 students enrolled in French Immersion in Canada in the 1997-98 school year.

In the early days of French Immersion in Canada, one of the biggest concerns of parents and educators was the effect of French Immersion on the development of children's English language skills. Research indicated that the children enrolled in Early French Immersion (beginning in Kindergarten or Grade 1) demonstrate listening comprehension and oral expression skills in English comparable to those of their non-Immersion counterparts.

The two most common starting points are: Kindergarten (Early Immersion) and approximately Grade 6 (Late Immersion). However, there are many variations of the program across Canada.

Yes. For the Grade 3 assessment, school boards will be able to choose one of the following three options: Students complete the reading and writing components in English and the mathematics component in a French translation. Students complete a French translation of the mathematics component only. These students do not complete the reading and writing components and will receive results only for mathematics.

No. Appleby offers extended French courses to students who are bilingual or who come to the school with a strong French background.

Canadian Parents for French supports all French second language (FSL) programs in Canadian schools, so that all students may have the opportunity to develop skills in both of Canada's official languages. This report answers some of the questions parents ask most frequently about core French. Our answers are based on research conducted over the past 35 years. Selected CPF resources and references are listed, along with an order form, at the end of the report.

Learning activities should balance listening, speaking, reading and writing.In the beginning, curriculum emphasizes listening and speaking. Later, the emphasis on reading and writing increases. Curriculum should be based on fields of experience or 'themes' that consider the learners' life experiences, intellectual development, and interests. Research has shown that using theme-based tasks is effective for teaching a second language (Skehan & Foster, 1997; Turnbull, 1999a; Turnbull, 1999b).

Ideally, students would learn a variety of the languages alive in Canada's diverse communities. Sadly, language education is not valued as highly in Canada as it is in Europe, for example, where students commonly study three or four languages. For many reasons, it makes most sense for French to be the second language taught in most Canadian schools: French is one of our official languages, spoken by over 6.7 million Canadians and more than 300 million people world-wide.

Students whose parents have positive attitudes to French tend to do better in core French (Stern, Swain, McLean, Friedman, Harley & Lapkin, 1976; Pack, 1979; Ullmann, Geva & Mckay, 1985). They also develop a more positive attitude toward French and francophones (MacFarlane & Wesche, 1995). This means you can play an active role in your child's success with core French. Even if you don't speak French - or aren't confident in your rusty skills - you can help.

Teacher shortage is a growing issue across Canada, and some school boards face a particular challenge in finding qualified FSL teachers. Parents can help by supporting the many excellent teachers currently in core French, and by advocating for more training and more teachers with the specialized skills needed in a core French classroom.

Core French (or Basic French) is a program in which French is studied as a subject within the English stream program. The amount of French studied in a school year per week varies from school jurisdiction to school jurisdiction. Some programs start in elementary school, while others begin in high school. French is usually offered as an option at the high school level. For more information on the Core French program, please request a free copy of Core French Q & A from CPF.

According to the 1997 Annual Report of the Commissioner of Official Languages almost 2 million students were enrolled in Core French in Canada in 1997-98.

The school seeks a balance of native French speakers and American-born teachers. All the teachers communicate at a native or near-native level. Many of the American teachers have traveled and lived extensively abroad. In addition, L'Etoile du Nord French Immersion School is fortunate to host visiting Teacher Interns. These are typically young adults from around the world who come to Saint Paul for a year to share their language and cultures with our students.

We encourage you to reserve your spot with Atoll as early as possible to guarantee a sport with us. You can always book as late as 12noon, French time the Friday before your first week of courses. However, this type of booking is subject to availability.

Many school districts offer Early French Immersion, beginning in Kindergarten, and/or Late French Immersion, beginning in Grade 7. The following table describes briefly some of the key elements of these programs.

I am in need of at least 2 additional transcripts. What process do I follow to request that these be sent to my new home address? Thank you. Explain in your letter where you want the transcripts to be sent and add a check ($5 for the first copy, $3 for any additonnal copy)