French Language

Core French, Extended French, and French Immersion programs differ in intensity, but share a common purpose: to develop a student’s oral communication (listening and speaking), reading and writing skills in French language.

All of the French Language Programs provide benefits to students regardless of whether or not they plan post-secondary studies in French. There are, however, significant differences in focus as well as in the language competency expected of students.

Generally, a student's program choice is determined by the total number of hours of French instruction accumulated by the end of Grade 8 (600 for Core French and a minimum of 3,800 for French Immersion). The longer exposure to French instruction provided by the Immersion program allows students to acquire a greater knowledge and understanding of the language as well as greater effectiveness in its use.

The Core French program is offered from Grades 4-8 in every Grand Erie school. Instruction is given in French for a minimum of 200 minutes per five-day cycle.

In Grand Erie secondary schools, a student must earn at least one credit in French to obtain an Ontario Secondary School Graduation Diploma. In Grades 10 to 12, students may choose an additional academic Core French course each year.

Both the Ministry of Education and Grand Erie District School Board value the Core French program, which provides students with relevant learning experiences to develop their oral communication, reading and writing skills in French.

Students in the Core French program will demonstrate a working understanding of information heard and read. They will also be able to speak in familiar situations

Grand Erie began to offer Extended French to Grade 9 students at Simcoe Composite Secondary School in the 2020-21 school year.  In each subsequent year, this program will continue to grow if there is sufficient student demand.

In Extended French in secondary, students are taught French as a subject and French serves as the language of instruction in at least one other subject. At the secondary level there are academic courses in Extended French in Grades 9 and 10, and university preparation courses in Grades 11 and 12. Students accumulate seven credits in French: four are for French language courses; three courses are in other subjects taught in French. Schools may grant a certificate in Extended French if the student fulfills the requirement. 

Introduction

The aim of Grand Erie’s French Immersion program is to:

• Provide a quality educational program that meets the expectations of the Ontario Curriculum, both at the elementary and secondary school level.
• Develop and refine the student’s ability to communicate (understand, speak, read and write) with confidence in the French language.
• Help students understand and appreciate Canada's francophone heritage as well as French culture and language throughout the world.
• Expand students' knowledge of the language through the study of francophone literature and research.

By the end of the four-year French Immersion program in secondary school, students will:

• Participate easily in either language, at home, at work or when travelling.
• Be able to pursue post-secondary studies, or accept professional training in either French or English.
• Be able to undertake employment in both French and English.

French Immersion Programs

Grand Erie offers the following optional programs:

• Single-track French Immersion is an Elementary program that  begins in Kindergarten.  It is available in schools that offer French Immersion programs only.

Available at: 

 École Confédération (Kindergarten to Grade 8)

 École Dufferin (Kindergarten to Grade 8)

• Dual-track French Immersion is an Elementary program that begins in Kindergarten.  It is available in schools that offer French Immersion and English language classes. 

Burford District Elementary School (Kindergarten to Grade 8)

Caledonia Centennial Public School Kindergarten to Grade 3)

Lakewood Elementary School (Kindergarten to Grade 8)

Paris Central Public School (Grades 6 to 8)

River Heights School (Grades 4 to 8)

Walsh Public School (Kindergarten to Grade 8)

• In a secondary French Immersion program, students accumulate ten credits in French: four are for FSL courses; six are for other subjects in which French is the language of instruction. Secondary schools grant a certificate in French Immersion if the student fulfills the requirement.

Secondary French Immersion programs are available at:

Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School

North Park Collegiate Institute and Vocational School

French Immersion Registration

For information about registering for a French Immersion program, see French Immersion Registration.

Elementary French Immersion Program Boundaries

For Secondary French Immersion and Extended French Immersion boundaries, click  here.

City of Brantford

École Dufferin Public School ( Grades JK- 7 and Grades 8)

École Confédération Elementary School ( Grades JK - 7 and Grades 8)
 

County of Brant

Burford District Elementary School French Immersion
 

Haldimand County

Caledonia Centennial French Immersion (Grade JK - 3)

River Heights School French Immersion (Grades 4 - 8)
 

Norfolk County

Walsh Public School French Immersion (Grade JK - 8)

Lakewood Elementary School French Immersion (Grade JK - 8)

The Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF) is an internationally recognized certification of proficiency in French for those whose first language is not French.

DELF exams take place in 175 countries worldwide. Grand Erie offers Grade 12 students in all French pathways (Core, Immersion and Extended French) the opportunity to challenge the DELF exam that best suits their proficiency: A2, B1 or B2, based on the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). French language skills are evaluated in the four areas of oral comprehension, oral expression, written comprehension and written expression.

Obtaining DELF certification not only opens doors to post-secondary and employment opportunities, it also serves as an official, internationally recognized testament to a student’s language learning journey and accomplishments. Grand Erie encourages its students in all French pathways to challenge the DELF in their Grade 12 year.