|
Encourage them to continue studying French |
|
|
Encourage them to continue studying French |
|
Yes, You Can Help! Information and Inspiration for French Immersion Parents (printable version)
I'm staying in French because....
CPF Alberta's information package to promote the learning and teaching of French includes handouts, ads for school newsletters, and quotes promoting the continued study of French (core French or immersion).
Contact your local CPF chapter about the pamphlet Stay in French!
Special needs:
Inclusive Practice in French Immersion - by Martine Pellerin, PhD
Diversity in French Immersion: Can French Immersion offer an appropriate quality education for a student with special needs? - information for parents, education professionals, consultants and specialists - Alberta Education
What School Administrators Need to Know about the Inclusion of Students with Diverse Needs in French Immersion Schools - Alberta Education
Diversity in French Immersion Classrooms: A Quick Inclusion Guide for Teachers - Alberta Education
L'inclusion en immersion: Guide de différenciation pédagogique pour répondre à divers besoins d'apprentissage - Alberta Education
Faire une différence
- the
French version of
Making a Difference: Meeting diverse learning needs with differentiated instruction
- provides
teachers with an Alberta context for differentiated instruction,
and information and strategies for implementing differentiated
instructional practices to better meet the diverse learning
needs of all students
- Alberta Education Révéler le potentiel: Éléments clés de la programmation à l'intention des élèves ayant des difficultés d'apprentissage - Alberta Education
additional resources from Alberta Education
Other resources:
Language Education and Learning Disabilities - annotated list of links on the internet, for topics ranging from Assistive Technology to Visual Deficits
Dual Language Development and Disorders: A Handbook on Bilingualism and Second Language Learning
Struggling Learners & Language Immersion Education (research-based, practitioner-informed responses to educators' top questions) by Tara Williams Fortune with Mandy R. Menke, 2010, Centre for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition, University of Minnesota ISBN 978-0-9843996-0-4 (paperback)
Language/culture enhancement activities
How much French is too much? - see French Immersion is a Lot Like a Swimming Pool Fred Kreiner, experienced immersion teacher and former Director of the Practicum Office, Campus Saint-Jean, University of Alberta
Support for immersion parents
Ask your local CPF chapter about CPF Alberta's French for Immersion Parents course. It offers an introduction to French; helps parents feel comfortable with the immersion approach; offers hints, strategies, and resources for parents to support their children; and (in Level 2) explores reasons for students to remain in immersion through Grade 12.
Immersion teachers in Lethbridge have developed a theme-based French program for immersion parents, which is available through the ATA library.
"Supporting and Working with Parents" in the Handbook for French Immersion Administrators
Encourage parents to visit the "For parents" section of this web site!
The Peer Tutoring Literacy Program is aimed at fostering literacy in French immersion. It is designed for Grade 2 and 3 students who are experiencing moderate difficulties with French reading who would benefit from extra reading support.
CPF Alberta has prepared suggestions for grade 5/6 French immersion teachers to encourage their students to continue in the program beyond elementary school.
But Mom...!!!! - what to say to immersion parents, by Fred Kreiner, Director of the Practicum Office, Campus Saint-Jean, University of Alberta
Let your parents know about Alberta Education's Planning for Post-Secondary Studies - Grade 6 Parent Guide, downloadable from Alberta Learning Information Services
Junior high
Show a video to spark a class discussion: I Want to Become Bilingual... Proud of Two Languages
"I won't be able to do it in English!" - Some students transfer out of French immersion from a concern that they won't be successful at the postsecondary level if they've never studied certain subjects in English. They (and their parents) simply aren't aware of how easy it is to pick up the English terminology! Subject teachers and guidance counselors can help by discussing this question and by acquainting students with the English terms. Here are some resources:
En bons termes...avec les études sociales (for grades 10-12) - product #355794 from the LRC
Franconnexion Sessions - In addition to its forums for high school students held in major centers across the country, French for the Future now offers resources to help organize sessions where junior or senior high students have the chance to attend creative and inspiring workshops, participate in cultural activities, network with bilingual professionals, share their thoughts and ideas, and become part of a dynamic community. The ultimate goal is to make students realize that by keeping up with their French courses throughout high school, they are opening many doors professionally and culturally.
Campus Saint-Jean staff may be available to do presentations at junior high schools (upon invitation from the school) to encourage students to stay in French immersion. Grade 9 classes can visit CSJ in May and June, and some activities in addition to a tour may be arranged depending on the needs of the school. Contact the Recruitment Office: marica.fagnan@ualberta.ca or 780-465-8790
Tell parent and students about Alberta Education's Planning for Post-Secondary Studies - Grade 6 Parent Guide and Grade 9 Student Guide, downloadable from Alberta Learning Information Services
Senior high
Franconnexion Sessions - In addition to its forums for high school students held in major centers across the country, French for the Future now offers resources to help organize sessions where students have the chance to attend creative and inspiring workshops, participate in cultural activities, network with bilingual professionals, share their thoughts and ideas, and become part of a dynamic community. The ultimate goal is to make students realize that by keeping up with their French courses throughout high school, they are opening many doors professionally and culturally.
Look at Distance Learning opportunities to supplement your senior high immersion program. The Alberta Distance Learning Centre now offers a wide variety of core and optional courses for French immersion students in grades 10, 11 and 12 as well as junior high science. They are available not just to individual students through year-round learning but also via contracted services through schools and via team teaching though the schools. Click on "French Immersion" or contact Esther Kupsch, Associate Principal, Senior High School at 1-866-774-5333, ext. 5183. For a list of courses, click on "Course Options." To view the Immersion Showcase, enter the username "immersion" and the password "adlc."
Let your students know about postsecondary opportunities:
French postsecondary opportunities in Alberta
CPF's Inventory of Post-Secondary French-Second-Language Education Programs and Academic Supports for Anglophone Students lists programs available across Canada, what assistance is provided to students for whom French is a second language (e.g., supplementary language courses, tutoring, extra time for exams), opportunities for social interaction( e.g., French-speaking residences, social clubs), exchange programs, and more
Scholarships/bursaries available to those studying French or studying in French
Invite Campus Saint-Jean to make a presentation on postsecondary and career opportunities, or arrange for a class to visit CSJ to do a chemistry or physics lab that we can incorporate into their sciences curriculum (from September-November and January-March). For more information contact the Recruitment Office: marica.fagnan@ualberta.ca or 780-465-8790.
Invite the French Centre at the University of Calgary to speak to your students about the French Language Instruction Program.
Tell parent and students about Alberta Education's Planning for Post-Secondary Studies - Grade 12 Parent Guide and Grade 12 Student Guide, as well as Time to choose...a post-secondary education program - all downloadable from Alberta Learning Information Services
Let your students know about employment opportunities:
Bilingualism in the Canadian Labour Market
French: The Most Practical Foreign Language
See CPF's I'm Teaching in French because... campaign. (Contact your local CPF chapter for copies of this brochure.)
The State of French-Second-Language-Education in Canada 2005 explores what's needed to encourage students to continue learning French in high school and at the postsecondary level. To view or download the report, the complete student survey, or the complete literature review: English, French.
Le Français pour l'avenir / French for the Future offers annual forums for Grade 11/12 students featuring interaction, dialogue and education through workshops, plenary sessions and forum discussion groups. Participants learn the career benefits of continuing bilingual education while relating with bilingual professionals from a variety of career paths.
