THE LATE FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM

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THE LATE FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM

• INFORMATION
• SESSION
• 2009

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DESCRIPTION

• This program is designed for students whose
  experience with the French language has been
  limited to elementary Core French.
• The entry point of the Late French Immersion
  Program is at Grade 7.
• The program extends to Grade 12.

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CANADIAN MADE!

• The origins of the French Immersion Program date
  back to 1965 in St. Lambert, Montréal, Québec.
• Research shows that the Immersion experience is
  the most effective way for children to become
  functionally bilingual without having adverse
  effects on their social, academic or personal
  development.

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CURRICULUM

• The French Immersion Program follows the same
  learning outcomes as defined by the Nova Scotia
  English Provincial Guides.

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RESEARCH

• Many language concepts and skills learned and
  developed in French are similar to those applied
  in English. Studies supported by CASLT (Canadian
  Association of Second Language Teachers) have
  shown that bilingual students appear to have a
  number of intellectual advantages such as the
  ability to think abstractly and problem solve at
  an earlier age.
• (http//www.unb.ca/slec/hot_topics/l2_children.htm
  l)

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RESEARCH

• More than 300,000 students are currently enrolled
  in French Immersion programs across Canada as
  compared to 75,000 in 1980-1981.
• More than 2 million English-speaking students are
  studying French as a subject in school.
• More than 25 of young Canadians aged 18-29 are
  currently bilingual.

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LANGUAGE ACQUISITION

• Students acquire their French language skills in
  an environment surrounded by French posters,
  signs, books and other resources. The integration
  of subjects taught in French is also conducive to
  language acquisition.

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NOVA SCOTIA

• The Late Immersion Program (Grade 7-12) began in
  1985 in the former Halifax County-Bedford
  District School Board .

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FRENCH IMMERSION CERTIFICATE

• Students receive a French Immersion Certificate
  at the end of grade 12 upon completion of course
  requirements.
• Upon completion, students should be able to
• function in a French-speaking community
• accept a job where French is the working language
• pursue university or college education
• in French

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LATE FRENCH IMMERSION WITHIN HALIFAX REGIONAL
SCHOOL BOARD

• As of September 2009, HRSB has 32 schools (junior
  high and senior high schools) offering Late
  French Immersion.

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PERCENTAGE OF INSTRUCTION IN FRENCH (IMMERSION
PROGRAM)

• Primary- Grade 2 90-100 (varies due to
  Music and Physical Education)
• Grades 3-6 80- 85 (formal
  instruction in English is introduced)
• Grades 7-9 60- 75
• Grades 10-12 50 (minimum of nine
  credits taught in French)

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LATE FRENCH IMMERSION WITHIN HALIFAX REGIONAL
SCHOOL BOARD

• 2 schools within the HRSB offer an Integrated
  Core French Program,which is closely identical to
  the Late French Immersion Program
• Exemption Science Math are taught in English

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SPECIAL NEEDS SERVICES

• All students should have equal access to special
  services where available.
• It is recommended that there is a close working
  relationship among
• the Immersion teachers,
• the Resource teachers
• and the parent(s)/
• guardian(s).

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WHEN CONSIDERING THE LATE FRENCH IMMERSION
PROGRAM

How is your childs social and emotional
development? Does your child have a positive
self-esteem? Does your child have major
perceptual or auditory problems? Can your child
adjust easily to unfamiliar situations?
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THE LATE FRENCH IMMERSIONPROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO
. . .

• enable all students to communicate effectively in
  French using listening, speaking, viewing,
  reading, writing and other various means of
  representation.

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LISTENING . . .

• uses teaching strategies that foster a
• positive classroom environment.
• helps the students achieve success in
• French while learning the core subject
  matter.

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SPEAKING . . .

• permits students to engage in meaningful
  constructive dialogue.

Concours d'art oratoire
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READING . . .

• Jeunes lecteurs actifs P-6
• (Active Young Readers)
• Lecteurs Actifs 7-9
• (Young Readers)
• Litteracy Success 10-12

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WRITING . . .

• Écrivains à luvre 4-9 (Writers in Action)
• This initiative is helping students across the
  province to develop strong written skills.

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MATHEMATICS

• Students develop problem solving abilities using
  a variety of communicative strategies.

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SOCIAL STUDIES . . .

• enable and encourage students to examine isssues,
  respond critically and creatively, and make
  informed decisions as fellow citizens of an
  increasingly global community.

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SCIENCE

• Laboratory experiments
• Research and observations
• Collection and analysis of data
• Science Fairs

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TRIP TO UNIVERSITÉ SAINTE-ANNE

• Each Spring, Grade 7 students participate in a 4
  day trip where they are totally immersed in an
  authentic French environment.
• They interact in French with other HRSB Late
  French Immersion students, and enjoy an
  educational and enjoyable cultural event.

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THE LATE FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO

• enable all students to work and study
  purposefully, both independently and
  cooperatively.

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THE LATE FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO

• enable all students to solve problems
  individually and collaboratively.

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THE LATE FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO

• encourage personal development of skills,
  attitudes and values.

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THE LATE FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO

• enable all students to express their ideas and
  feelings in various art forms.

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THE LATE FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO

• enable all students to locate, evaluate, adapt,
  create and share information using a wide range
  of sources and technologies.

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THE LATE FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO

• enable all students to demonstrate a better
  understanding of their own and others cultural
  heritage with a particular emphasis on French
  speaking communities.

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THE FRENCH IMMERSION TEACHER . . .

• has an excellent command of the French language
  (written and spoken).
• teaches the subjects according to the established
  Provincial guidelines.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT . . .

• is ongoing and collaborative (English French).

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PREPARATION AND SUPPORT FOR PARENTS

• French section of community libraries.
• HRSB website and French links.
• French language television.
• Extracurricular and community activities which
  promote French language and culture.
• Encourage your child to read in French.

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USEFUL LINKS

• www.cpf.ca (Canadian Parents for French)
• http//hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/bgromick/
• (To enroll or not to enroll . . . that is the
  question)
• www.caslt.org (Canadian Association of Second
  Language Teachers)