Hi there. In this education post I have some notes about French immersion and French immersion schools. This information is based on things I have heard from colleagues and from some research.
English & French As Official Languages In Canada
The official languages in Canada are English in French. Even though French is an official language here, not everyone in the country knows French nor speaks French. (There are some Canadians who do not like French for whatever reason.) Most of the French speaking people in Canada are in the province of Québec. The captial of Québec is Québec City with the largest city being Montreal. You can find some French speaking people outside of Québec.
Knowing French is helpful for job opportunities as a good handful of customer service jobs either require French or consider it a bonus. Fluency in French is a big plus for teaching jobs in Canada. The Prime Minister position and government jobs requires French.
What Is French Immersion?
According to the Toronto District School Board website, French Immersion programs are designed for students who do not speak French at home. A student in a French immersion program does not have to be French in ethnicity at all.
French Immersion programs are designed for students who do not speak French at home. The Early Immersion Program begins in Senior Kindergarten. It offers 100% French instruction in the classroom until the end of grade 3, although some specialist subjects may be taught in English. English instruction is gradually introduced beginning in grade 4 until it becomes a half-day program from Grades 6-8. Designated school pathways exist to ensure that students have a continuation of program from the SK entry to the end of grade 12.
There is an application process for Early French Immersion programs in November. Note that it is not a first come first-served process. For school districts outside of Toronto, you would have to check the local school board website on French immersion application details.
French Immersion Programs
You would have to check if your area does have French Immersion programs. French Immersion programs can be found through the local district board. Your area may also have a Alliance française school or something similar for learning the French language and French culture. There are also French Immersion programs that require those to travel abroad. I would not know too much about the travel abroad French immersion program.
Through work lunch, my boss did mention an interesting thing with French immersion students. Once students leave French immersion, there is no re-entry back into French immersion. This is for the Toronto area. I am not sure if this would apply to other places and even countries.
Having a child learn French from a young age is an opportunity and investment to the child's future. There are many benefits to learning French in a French immersion program. I was good at French along with math. Looking back, I do not know why I quit learning French after grade nine. French immersion is something worth looking into for a child as long as costs are reasonable.
