Have achieved a high proficiency in and a positive attitude towards French as a first language. Identify with and be part of the francophone culture and community.

Have achieved a high proficiency in English.

Be able to pursue postsecondary education and work in French, in English, or in both languages.

Be better able to appreciate other languages, cultures and communities throughout Canada and around the world.

French immersion

After completing Grade 12, your child will:

Have achieved a high proficiency in English.

Have retained his or her own cultural identity.

Be functionally fluent in French, that is:

Core French

After several years, your child will:

Have a good foundation in French from which to pursue fluency.

Have gained insights into and an appreciation of francophone culture.

Be better able to appreciate other languages, cultures and communities throughout Canada and around the world.

Education is offered entirely in French from Kindergarten through Grade 12.

School environment, programming and extracurricular activities provide your child with a solid and dynamic focal point for the French language and francophone culture as an extension of family and community life.

English Language Arts is introduced in the elementary grades. If your child does not have a good grasp of English, assistance will be provided as required.

The language of communication between home, school and school board is normally French. For the parent who does not speak French, assistance is provided to help you support your child’s learning and school experience.

French immersion

French is used as the language of instruction for a significant part of each school day: several or all subjects (except, of course, English Language Arts) are taught in French.

Begins with a period of concentration on French language development to give students a sufficient understanding of French to:

• learn to read, and
• learn other subjects such as math, science, social studies, the fine arts, etc. taught in French.

School and extra-curricular activities in French may be used to support the development of language skills and cultural appreciation.

The language of communication between home and school is English.

Core French

French is taught as a subject. (Alberta Education recommends 30-40 minutes of instruction per day).

French is used as the language of classroom communication.

French knowledge and skills are developed through the use of themes and projects geared to the interests, maturity, and life experiences of your child.

Intended for a child:

• Of a parent whose first language learned and still understood is French; or
• Of a parent who received primary school instruction in French anywhere in Canada; or

• Whose sibling has received or is receiving primary or secondary school instruction in French anywhere in Canada.

(as described in Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms)

(And, in the same spirit, for a child of a parent:

• With francophone roots who wants to reintegrate the French language and francophone identity and culture into his or her child’s life; or
• Who wants his or her child to retain French language skills and francophone identity and culture [e.g., francophone immigrants who are permanent residents of Canada].)

French immersion

Designed for a child whose family heritage is other than French.

Core French

Designed for a child whose family heritage is other than French.

FRENCH FIRST LANGUAGE

FRENCH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

If your child speaks little or no French, a variety of programs and strategies will be used to help him or her learn French and integrate the francophone culture into everyday living.

For links to the Francophone school districts click here.

French immersion

Many Alberta schools offers early French immersion beginning in Kindergarten or Grade 1.

Some Alberta schools also offer late French immersion beginning in Grade 6 or 7.

For a list of school districts offering French immersion click here.

Core French

In schools where it is offered, core French (often referred to in Alberta as "FSL") usually begins in Grade 4, 7 or 10. Some schools begin as early as Kindergarten or Grade 1.

In some schools all students study core French at certain grade levels (typically Grades 4-6 or Grades 7-9).