Languages
Learning another language offers students valuable skills and appreciation for another culture and provides children with many experiences and advantages that benefit them within the classroom walls and beyond. Edmonton Catholic Schools is proud to offer several types of language programs across the Division including:
Immersion
Bilingual
Language and Culture
More Information:
Please visit the sections below for further information about our language programs.
French Immersion
The French Immersion program is designed for students (and their families) whose first language is not French. It begins in Kindergarten or Grade 1 and continues through to Grade 12. French Immersion enables students to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in French by the end of Grade 12 while achieving a level of English competence equivalent to students learning in English programs.
French Immersion provides students with the opportunity to become functionally bilingual in French by the end of Grade 12. Students follow the Alberta Education curriculum all while studying in French.
The language of communication between home and school is English. Families do not need to know French for their child(ren) to be successful in this program. Many supports are in place to assist families with their child's language learning journey. For more details, please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section below.
Learn more about our French Immersion program and where it is offered by visiting our page below.
Spanish or Ukrainian Bilingual Programs
A bilingual program is a program in which the target language is used as the language of instruction for up to 50 percent of the instructional minutes. Bilingual programs begin in Kindergarten or Grade 1 and continue through to Grade 12. Students learn the language through the content areas and gain an understanding and appreciation of the cultures studied.
The language of communication between home and school is English. Families do not need to know the language chosen for their child(ren) to be successful in this program. Many supports are in place to assist families with their child's language learning journey. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section below for more details.
Learn more about our programs and the schools that offer them by visiting our program pages below.
Language and Culture Programs
Language and Culture Courses are those courses in which an additional language is studied as a subject to develop communication skills and an appreciation of the cultures of speakers of the language. ECSD offers the following language and culture programs listed below, please click on any of the languages for more details:
Learn more about our programs and the schools that offer them by visiting our program page below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What if I don’t speak the language – how can I support my child’s learning?
Edmonton Catholic Schools language programs are designed for families who may not speak the language they want their child(ren) to study. Several resources are available to assist your child(ren) in their language learning journey. These can be found on the program page of the selected language.
Will communications from the school be in English or the language program we have chosen?
Communications from the school and Edmonton Catholic Schools will be in English.
Will my child still learn English?
Yes, all students in immersion and bilingual programs still receive formalized English instruction in addition to their instruction in the target language.
Can my child enter a language program beyond Kindergarten or Grade 1?
Kindergarten and Grade 1 are the two points of entry for French Immersion or our Spanish or Ukrainian Bilingual programs. No prior knowledge language of choice is required for these entry points. Families wishing to register their children in a language program after Grade 1 should contact the school principal. Registration is considered on an individual basis.
Can my child continue language studies from Kindergarten to Grade 12?
Yes! Edmonton Catholic Schools offers language learning in all grades. To see which schools offer language programs, please visit our programs page and click on the language you are interested in. On that page, you will be able to find which schools offer your chosen language.
What options are available for my child to get to the school with our chosen language program?
Students attending their designated school may be eligible for yellow bus service if they are:
- Kindergarten to Grade 6 who live at least 1 km from their designated school.
- Grades 7 to 12 who live at least 2 km from their designated school and Edmonton Transit Services (ETS) is unavailable.
Please visit this page for more information about transportation to and from Edmonton Catholic Schools.
What schools are available for my language program of choice?
To find which schools offer the language of your choice, visit our programs page and select that language. On the left-hand side of the page, you will see a list of schools that offer your selected language program.
What are the benefits of a language program?
Learning a second language has been shown to bring cognitive and academic benefits, and can open up many additional opportunities such as employment. Research has shown that learning a second language can positively affect first language development.
Can my child challenge a language course?
Yes. Current Edmonton Catholic Schools high school students have the opportunity to demonstrate proficiency (culture, speaking, reading, writing) in one of six languages Filipino, French, Italian, Polish, Spanish, and Ukrainian. Please visit our second language course challenge page for more information.
Resources for Families
ECSD is here to support our families and students throughout their language learning journey. Each language program page provides detailed information as well as the schools that offer these programs.
We have a helpful video series, Language Learning Myths and Misconceptions, a dedicated resource to support families considering enrolling their children into a language program, and an in-depth video, Supporting Your Language Learner.