B4 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, June 30, 1999

Rebecca Essensa

ongratulations

Kristine Francis

Sierra Harris

Scott Rigler

Paula Sampson -

Mike Vendittelli

Ryan Viveires

Patrick Hayes | Stephanie Jacobs

Mike Whittington

French Immersion Works!

French immersion works. Immersion takes advantage of a child’s ability to learn languages easily. It builds on

children’s openness to new situations and experiences. Best of all, Immersion does this without interfering with.
or harming the development of skills in the first language. noe ne.

1, WHAT IS FRENCH IMMERSION?
French Immersion is a program where students receive all or most of
the classroom instruction in French. This program is designed
specifically for children whose first language is not French and enable
these children to become fluently bilingucl as is possible in
predominantly English speaking communities.

2. WHAT IS EARLY IMMERSION?
Early Immersion begins in kindergarten
This program is designed specifically
for children whose
first language is not French...

(year one primary) or grade 1 (primary 2) with 100% of the
instruction in French. English instruction is then introduced, usually in
grades 3 or 4. By grade 6, approximately 30-40% of teaching time is
in French with the rest being in English.

3. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR FRENCH IMMERSION?
Any child normally eligible for English Kindergarten or grade 1 is

eligible for French Immersion: Prior knowledge of French is not a
requirement. Second language learning is not dependent an a high
IQ level. It ignot a program for “bright” children only,

4, WHO TEACHES FRENCH IMMERSION?
Certified teachers who are bilingually fluent in French, are hired by
the local schoo! district.

5. DOES IF MATTER IF NO ONE AT HOME SPEAKS FRENCH? No.
This program was designed for children of non-French speaking
families. Teachers are aware’ of this when they send home nolices or
assign homework. Reporting is in English.

6. WILL A CHILD’S ENGLISH SUFFER IN IMMERSION?

Because English is not taught until graces 3 or 4, children will lag
behind their English counterparts for a time, but once English is
introduced, immersion children usually catch up quickly. By the end of
grades 5 or 6, Immersion children often perform better when tested
than their counterparts in English programs.

7. WILL MY CHILD LEARN THE SAME THINGS AS STUDENTS IN
ENGLISH?
Yes, The French Immersion program follows the English curriculum as

closely as possible,

8. ES THERE BUSSING FOR IMMERSION STUDENTS?

Immersion students at the present lime may utilize the existing school
bus services as well as the public bus service. However, transportation
is nat guaronteed for Immersion programs: As you have chasen to put
your child in a program culside of your school area, the responsibility
for transportation Jies with the parents,

9. WHAT IF WE ARE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER DISTRICT OR
PROVINCE?

French Immersion is available in most urban centres of Canada. CPF
has lists of programs throughout the country. Children transferring out
of Immersion very early before English language arts have been
introduced may experience a brief lag. Consultation with the new
teacher and some work at home usually overcome this problem very
quickly,

10. WHAT SCHOOLS WILL MY CHILD ATTEND IN TERRACE?

Kili K’Shan primary for Kindergarten to grade 3, Cassie Hall
Elementary for grade 4-7, Skeena Jr. Secondary for grade B-10 and
Caledonia Sr. Secondary for grade 11 & 12.

Language Can:

and other cultures;
his fellow Canadians;
educational and career opportunities;

Canada and in many other countries.

Feedback

Knowing A Second

* increase your child’s personal pleasures such as the enjoyment of lit-
erature, art, music, theatre, travel and personal relationships;

* increase your child's understanding of and respect for other peoples

* help your child to understand more about himself, his country and

* give your child access to a larger pool of information and to more

* give your child a competitive edge in the job market anywhere in

“Mos of my friends wish they'd done it now and think it's cool, In their regular French

So why should you |
Study French?

Dr, David Elder, from Edith Cowan University in Australia, compiled this list {it
was published in CPF British Columbia News, March 1998.) 9

1. French is not limited on one or wo continents.

2. French is spoken in two of the G7 countries, oo .

3, France is the world’s major tourist destination (60 million tourists a year).

4, France is Eyrope’s foremost investor abroad.

5. French is the official language of the International Red Cross.

6. French is the official language of post offices across the world.

7. French is one of the two official languages at the Olympic Games.
8. French is the most widely taught second language alter English.

9. French is one of the official languages of the United Nations.

10, French is a major language of high tech and business in the world..
11. Over 20,000 English words have their origins in French,

12, In terms of number of words, French is the second largest language after English,
13, Montreal is the second largest French speaking city in the world,

classes, they're just learning to say “Je m’appelle” and I'm basically bilingual,”

“French Immersion has been a wonderful experience for me. I’ve made quality friends,
learned about another culture and most importanily can speak French fluently.” -~

“lam very proud fo say that | stayed with the French immersion program for 13 years, in
so many ways it has paid off. { am presently atlending NWCC. University transfar
program.” Kendra Eys, 98 Grad

14, In 1994 the United States did business/irade with the following countries in order of
importance: 1, French speaking countries; 2. Japan; 3. Spanish speaking countries,

15. For those with the apprapriate skills, there are possibilities for work in: international
business, international agencies, the tourism and hospitality agencies, the diplomatic
service, as a teacher, as a translator or an interpreter.

16. And don’t forget the other 43 or so gaod reasons: French is spoken in over 43

countries in the world.

The French Immersion program is open to ALL students entering
| _ Kindergarten & grade 1. This program is FREE!
If you have any questions about the FRENCH IMMERSION
Kiti K’Shan Primary School 635-3115
Karen Westby 635-0135 Or Kim Gellatly 635-4005

program call:

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