FRENCH PROGRAMS - School District No. 43 (Coquitlam)

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School District No. 43 (Coquitlam)

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FRENCH PROGRAMS

CORE FRENCH

While Canadians speak many languages, our country has two official languages: French and English.

From Grades 5 to 8, all students in B.C. are required to have second language instruction. Core French is taught in every one of our elementary and middle schools. The program is also offered in every secondary school as an elective.

The Core French Program:

helps students develop a positive feeling towards French language and the francophone population throughout the world;
increases awareness and understanding of the values, customs and other elements of the French culture, particularly as experienced in Canada;
increases, within realistic limits, the ability to communicate effectively in French.

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Shauna Beaton-Rae, Language and Culture Coordinator

1100 Winslow Avenue, Coquitlam, BC V3J 2G3

sbeaton@sd43.bc.ca

EARLY FRENCH IMMERSION

Starting in Kindergarten, the Early French Immersion Program is an alternative program that offers all students whose first language is not French the possibility of completing the prescribed B.C. curriculum and learning French at the same time.

The Early French Immersion Program:

helps students develop strong communication skills in both English and French;
expands cultural horizons; and
helps prepare students for the global economy.

From Kindergarten to Grade 2: 100% of instruction is in French
In Grades 4-5: 80% of instruction is in French.
In Grades 6-8: 80% of instruction is in French.
In Grades 9-10: 50% of instruction is in French.
In Grades 11-12: 25% of instruction is in French.

Which schools offer Early French Immersion?

(Kindergarten - Grade 5)

(Grade 6 - Grade 8)

(Grade 9-12)

École Dr. Charles Best
École Riverside

LATE FRENCH IMMERSION

Starting in Grade 6, the Late French Immersion program is an alternative program that offers students whose first language is not French the possibility of completing the prescribed B.C. curriculum and learning French at the same time.

The Late French Immersion Program:

helps students develop strong communication skills in both English and French;
expands cultural horizons and;
helps prepare students for the global economy

Late French Immersion is a three-year program offered at the Grades 6-8 level that enables students to build their French language skills so they can join Early French Immersion students when they reach high school and continue in French Immersion until the end of Grade 12.

In Grade 6: 100% of instructional time is in French. Exploration subjects are usually taught in English. English Language Arts are not taught in the first year of late immersion.

In Grade 7: 80% of instruction time is in French. English Language Arts and Exploration subjects are usually taught in English.

In Grade 8: 80% of instructional time is in French. English Language Arts and Exploration subjects are usually taught in English.

Which schools offer Late French Immersion?

École Citadel (6-8)

École Moody (6-8)

École Montgomery (6-8)

Application Process for Early and Late French Immersion

Children entering Kindergarten in September must apply through the Programs of Choice application online.
Students entering Grade 1 (currently in Kindergarten) wishing to enroll, please contact Shauna Beaton-Rae, Language and Culture Coordinator.
Kindergarten children with siblings in the program must still apply online on the main page of our website and will be given highest priority (provided the sibling will still be in attendance the following school year), if space is available.
Children with siblings in a Program of Choice must still apply online.
Applications will be processed on a RANDOM DRAW BASIS.

To apply for:

Early and Late French Immersion for September 2025

Apply on the main page of our website, between Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 9:00am to Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 4:00pm.

Kindergarten Program of Choice parents will be notified by email on the status of their application beginning Monday, January 27th.

Late Program of Choice parents will be notified by email on the status of their application beginning Tuesday, January 28th.

For more information regarding the Early and Late French Immersion Program, please contact:

Ms. Shauna Beaton-Rae, Language and Culture Coordinator

1100 Winslow Avenue, Coquitlam, BC V3J 2G3

sbeaton@sd43.bc.ca

French Immersion Program FAQs

Q1. Is it necessary for children to know some French before enrolling in French Immersion? [+]

No, children are not required to have any background in French prior to entering either Early French in Kindergarten or Late French Immersion in Grade 6.
Q2. How quickly do children learn to speak French? [+]

Comprehension of spoken French develops first. The ability to speak develops more slowly. In the Early French Immersion program, students start to communicate spontaneously in French by Grade 1. In Late French Immersion, students are expected to speak with some fluency by the end of the first year of the program (Grade 6).
Q3. What if we do not speak French at home? [+]

It is not necessary for you to speak French for your child to be successful in the French Immersion program. The programs are designed for children of non-French speaking parents. You can help your children with their French homework by talking things through with them, in English. You can help them formulate and prioritize their thoughts, coach them on time management, encourage them to think critically, or guide them to where they can find the answer for themselves. The ability to manage workloads, be clear in communication, break down a problem, and be resilient in the face of stress or failure are all competencies kids need to learn — whether in English, or French.
Q4. What if English is not our first language? [+]

Evidence indicates that English Language Learners enrolled in French Immersion perform as well as their Anglophone counterparts, and ELL students who come to French Immersion having already developed literacy in their home language often perform even better than Anglophone students.
Q5. Will children be getting the same program as they would in an English class? [+]

Yes, all programs regardless of the language of instruction, must follow the same curriculum laid out by BC Ministry of Education. The BC curriculum framework is available in both English and French at www.curriculum.gov.bc.ca.
Q6. Will my child’s level of achievement be adversely affected if instruction is in French? [+]

Most children who receive their education in French are able to achieve the same levels of competency in all core subjects as those children who have had all their instruction in English.
Q7. What percentage of classroom instruction is actually in French? [+]
As students progress through the French Immersion Program and develop a strong command of the French language, the percentage of instruction decreases. This allows for formal instruction of English Language Arts and flexibility in course selection at the secondary level, while ensuring the maintenance of a high level of proficiency in French.
Early French Immersion
- From Kindergarten to Grade 2: 100% of instruction is in French
- In Grades 4-5: 80% of instruction is in French.
- In Grades 6-8: 70% of instruction is in French.
- In Grades 9-10: 50% of instruction is in French.
- In Grades 11-12: 25% of instruction is in French.
Late French Immersion
- In Grade 6: 80% of instructional time is in French. Exploration subjects are usually taught in English. English Language Arts are not taught in the first year of late immersion.
- In Grade 7: 70% of instructional time is in French. English Language Arts and Exploration subjects are usually taught in English.
Q8. What if my child experiences difficulties in French Immersion? [+]

A child may experience difficulty learning at school, and in French Immersion, for any number of reasons. Initially, the child's classroom teacher provides additional assistance for students. If this does not address the challenge, a consultation is arranged with the school and family. From there, based on the individual situation, supports will be provided.

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