District Foundation

Schools Offering French Immersion Programs

French Immersion and Bilingual Program Schools

The uniqueness of Edmonton Catholic Schools' French Immersion Program lies in its longstanding commitment to and tradition of promoting Canada's official languages through a variety of program settings.

French Immersion is designed for students who have the desire to learn French. Students may register in kindergarten or grade one. At the Elementary level, the language of instruction for all subjects except Religion is French, and students also have regular English Language Arts classes beginning in Grade 2, usually after the first report card. At the Junior and Senior High level, students receive between 40% and 80% of their instruction in French, depending on the program selected. Particular attention is given to developing an appreciation of the French culture by offering annual cultural events and/or entertainment. Thirteen schools currently offer French Immersion programs.

Our French Immersion program provides children with a wealth of experiences and advantages within the classroom walls and beyond. The program follows the regular Alberta Education curriculum in French with the addition of a regular English Language Arts Program. The program targets students with non French-speaking parents, while enriching and complementing a child's first language. It also enhances a student's academic growth and encourages new ways of thinking.

Learning a second language also teaches students about other cultures and broadens their perception of their own culture. In Canada, knowing both official languages opens doors to exciting career opportunities.

French Immersion Benefits

Allows students to compete internationally
Dramatically increases job opportunities
Enriched cultural experiences
Provides more choices for advanced education
Strengthens literacy skills

What if French is not Spoken at Home?

The French Immersion program is specifically designed for non-native speakers, while enriching and complementing a child's first language. The program was built on the foundation of giving English speaking students the opportunity to become bilingual. First and foremost, the best thing parents can do to help support their child’s learning is to read to their children in their native language.

Vocabulary, syntax and other reading related skills are transferable skills across languages!

While students may receive homework, all assignments are setup with the understanding that there aren’t the same supports available at home as there are in the classroom and are specifically tailored with that in mind. Any at home exercises are started in class with a teacher available to guide them through. Homework clubs can also be available at lunch our or recess to also help support students that might need a little extra help.

Supports for Parents

Because the program is specifically designed for non-native speakers, parents of students in French immersion are not alone – they have the support and help of all the families in the school!

Many of our schools also work closely with Canadian Parents for French, a non-profit organization that helps support parents of children in French Immersion. This can include monthly meet-ups at local restaurants or coffee shops or web-related activities and resources.

Furthermore, Edmonton Catholic’s French Immersion schools offer a number of opportunities for parents to get involved in their children’s education within the school.

School councils, for example, are very involved in supporting the children in the school. They can offer a variety of resources including parent engagement evenings, which may identify specific subjects that many parents are struggling with.

There are also several opportunities to volunteer throughout the school and get involved in the culture. Volunteering for Carnavale, for example, is a great way to immerse yourself in the French culture!

Web-based supports may also be available through virtual classroom, so parents can access their children’s textbooks, view videos, and other online resources might be available and are all trackable for the student’s teachers.