Section détachable

The exogamous families’ page Parenthése

Three types of French-language education:
francophone, immersion, core

Source: Glen Taylor,
I’m with you!
Exogamous families’
guide to the world
of francophone
education, 2002,
pages 13-16.

e The three types of French-lan-
3] guage education serve three

different purposes. Which type
parents choose depends on their options,
priorities, goals and Charter rights.

Francophone, or French first-language
As ifs name implies, French first-language
education is tailor-made for children with
francophone roots. The francophone
school is “a facility designed for living, learn-
ing, and integrating the French language,
culture and community.” In other words,
it exists not only to address students’ aca-
demic needs, but to help them explore and
develop their francophone heritage.

French first-language education is intended
forchildren who are eligible undersection 23
of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Free-
doms. Francophone schooling takes place
entirely in French from kindergarten to the
end of high school; French language and
francophone culture in the classroom are
a natural extension of the children’s family
and community life. Students also learn the
English language arts curriculum.

Upon graduation, they can expect to be
highly proficient in French and identify with
and be part of the francophone culture

and community. They'll also be highly profi-
cient in English, and be able fo pursue post-
secondary studies and work in either official
language.

French immersion

French immersion is designed for children
whose family heritage is ofher than French.
Since the goal is to learn French as a sec-
ond language, French is the language of
instruction for a significant portion of each
school day. Immersion begins with a focus
on language development so that students
can learn to speak and read French well
enough to study other subjects in that lan-
guage. They also take the English language
arts curriculum and other courses in English.

When they complete an immersion pro-
gram, students can expect to be function-
ally fluent in French—that is, be able to live,
work and pursue postsecondary studies in
French. In addition, they'll have gained an
understanding and appreciation of franco-
phone culture.

Core French

Like immersion, “core” or “basic” French in-
struction is designed for children with a family
heritage other than French. In this program,
however, French is taught as a subject, like
math, social studies, English and science.
French is the language of communication
during that class, and children’s knowledge
and skills are developed through the use of
themes and projects.

When they complete a core French pro-
gram, students can expect to have a good
basis in French from which to pursue fluency.
They'll also have gained insights into and an

appreciation of francophone culture.

Both immersion and core programs pro-
vide students with the opportunity to learn
French as a second language, with all the
inherent benefits in Canada and on the
international scene.

Children who receive any of the three types
of French-language education will be able
to appreciate other languages, cultures
and communities throughout Canada and
around the world. Their horizons truly will be
broadened by the experience, no matter
which path they have taken.

In a nutshell...

French first-language edu-
cation is intended for chil-
dren with a francophone
family heritage; enrolment
in a francophone school is
a right under section 23 of the Charter of
Rights and Freedoms. French immersion and
core French programs, on the other hand,
are designed to teach non-francophone
children French as a second language.

The three types of French-language edu-
cation are geared to three distinct sets of
outcomes.

JEVAISETRE MOT, FRENCH
FRANCAIS TMMERSI

THEY DON'T PLAY
THE SAME ROLE,
BIEN SUR!