Updated: October 9, 2024
French Immersion What We Heard
In Spring 2024, we engaged our French Immersion community to better understand the experiences of students, families, and staff. Two questionnaires were launched to capture insights, suggestions, and feedback to help shape the future of French Immersion in the ECSD. The questionnaires were designed to reflect two key French Immersion groups: French Immersion parents, guardians, and staff (community members), and students in Grades 7-12.
Fifty-two percent of families and 89% of Grades 7-12 students shared their insights through an online questionnaire. Whether you participated or not, we want to share what we heard and how your feedback is guiding our next steps.
Themes
Four major themes that emerged from the engagements were:
- Transportation and improving bus services
- Reviewing program pathways and locations
- Program experience and expanding course offerings
- Increasing cultural experiences
Recommendations
The valuable insights we received throughout the engagement process prompted the following recommendations for program enhancement:
- Enhance bus services to French Immersion Junior and Senior High Schools
- Review program pathways and locations to:
- balance community school needs with French Immersion programming
- match areas of demand and population growth
- reduce the number of school transition points
- Strengthen program and course offerings in French Immersion, particularly at the High School level
- Boost cultural opportunities
- Increase awareness of French Immersion resources for families
Next Steps
The next steps will include the development of a detailed implementation and monitoring plan to address the themes that emerged from the engagement process.
Shaping the Future of French Immersion: Read the Full Report
We invite you to read the full report by clicking the button below.
If you have any questions, please email engagement@ecsd.net.
How Can I Support My Child's Language Learning?
ECSD is here to support our families and students throughout their language-learning journey. We have a helpful video series, Language Learning Myths and Misconceptions, which is a dedicated resource to support families with a child in a language program, and an in-depth video, Supporting Your Language Learner.
Please visit our French Immersion Program Page for information on language learning such as:
- Eligibility and Points of Entry
- Our French Immersion Schools
- Frequently Asked Questions
Other Resources
French Immersion Engagement - How We Got Here
Phase Two - Engagement and Questionnaires
We invited families to participate in the second phase of our French Immersion Engagement by completing an online questionnaire in Spring 2024. Students in Grades 7-12 also completed a questionnaire in class, and some Grades 2-12 students were asked to participate in a focus group to share insight into their experience in the French Immersion program. Building on the feedback gathered during Fall 2023, we asked a new round of questions about retention and the student experience. We wanted to know why families choose to remain in the program and why others decide to leave before Grade 12.
The questionnaires were designed to reflect two key French Immersion groups: French Immersion parents, guardians, and staff (community members), and students in Grades 7-12.
Phase One - What We Heard Report
From October 26 to December 5, Edmonton Catholic Schools engaged French Immersion families through in-person sessions and an online survey. Thank you to everyone who participated. The results provided valuable input into transportation, school pathways, and student experiences.
Click here to read the What We Heard Report.
Background Information
Edmonton Catholic Schools is looking to create a vision for French Immersion Programming in ECSD that will best serve our French Immersion students and support the growing needs of our city. There are 3,600 students enrolled in French Immersion in ECSD. Only 20% of students who start in Kindergarten/Grade 1 French Immersion complete Grade 12 in the program.
ECSD, working with Y Station, has embarked on a phased multi-method approach to engage the French Immersion community to seek insights and feedback on how to address these enrolment challenges.
As we continue to develop and strengthen the Kindergarten to Grade 12 French Immersion pathway in Edmonton Catholic Schools, your insights and experiences guide us in shaping a vibrant and effective program that meets the needs of our students and community.