French Immersion

French Immersion at St. Clair Catholic DSB is different. Our goal for every student in our Catholic learning community is to become:

• A discerning believer;
• An effective communicator;
• A reflective, creative and holistic thinker;
• A self-directed, responsible lifelong learner;
• A collaborative contributor;
• A caring family member; and
• A responsible citizen.

People choose Catholic schools as an extension of their families. They want the values taught at home to be witnessed and lived at school. This is precisely what we offer in a Catholic school community.  Our students learn and grow in their faith supported by our Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ religion program and the Ontario Religion Curriculum. Our French Immersion students live their faith in two languages, encountering Christ every day within our schools. We strive to have our students see and understand themselves as beloved children of God, who have many gifts to share with the world, including learning an additional language.

The Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF) is an internationally-recognized test of French proficiency for persons whose first language is not French. It is based on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which defines language proficiency along six global levels: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. At each level, proficiency is measured across four competencies: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The French Ministry of National Education awards successful candidates a certificate. 

We offer Grade 12  students the opportunity to challenge the DELF exam.

After successfully passing a DELF exam, the candidate receives an official certificate issued by the French Ministry of National Education. The candidate also receives his/her marks for each portion of the exam. 

This life-long certification is recognized internationally by employers and postsecondary institutions. For example, the B2 level is required for entrance into most universities in France. And, of course, the certificate and the accompanying proficiency descriptors are the perfect addition to any résumé, outlining in very practical terms what the individual is capable of doing in French.

The opportunity to challenge the DELF exam in Grade 12 provides our students with a decided advantage in accessing future post secondary or work-related opportunities that require French language experience and expertise. In addition, this internationally recognized DELF certificate is considered as possessing the highest and most universally accepted set of standards in determining such proficiency.

Students in the early years are introduced to the French language with a gentle approach. Through watching and listening, students begin to recognize words and phrases, responding appropriately. Soon, they are singing along, repeating new French vocabulary and peppering their sentences with French words. For the first couple of years, students are not expected to speak French at all times. Rather, they’re given positive encouragement to try out the new language. When they make mistakes, the teacher uses repetition and role modeling just as you did when your child was learning his or her first language at home.

• The French Immersion program provides the opportunity for your child(ren) to be immersed in the French language. This is a highly effective approach to learning the French language and for your child to become functionally fluent while also achieving all of the objectives of the regular school program. 
• French Immersion integrates language instruction and content-area instruction. Learning the language enables students to read, speak, write and listen in French as well as apply those skills in other subject areas taught in French (i.e., solving math problems in French). 
• In JK to Grade 2, French is the main language of instruction (90%). 
• English instruction is gradually introduced, beginning in Grade 3, so students become literate in both English and French. 
• By Grades 7 & 8, the language of instruction is split equally between English (50%) and French (50%). 
• In high school, French Immersion students take 10 credits in French
• Students receive a French Immersion certificate at their Grade 8 and Grade 12 graduations. 
• French Immersion classrooms follow the Ontario Curriculum for all subject areas, like their English counterparts, with the addition of the French as a Second Language Curriculum.

• French Immersion is a program geared to families whose first language is not French. All communication sent home to parents/guardians will be in English. You will be amazed at how you will learn French with your child(ren) in the French Immersion program!
• You do not need to speak French to help your child with French. 
• Your involvement and support in your child's education is one of the most important factors for your child's success in the French Immersion program. When you show excitement and interest, your child(ren) will be excited and interested! 
• There are a number of ways you can help support your child:
  • talk to your child every day about school
  • read with your child every day in your native language
  • listen to music by French artists and watch French programs or favourite movies in French
  • find ways to expose your child to French or use French outside of school time (e.g., French summer camps, activities sponsored by Canadian Parents for French)
  • borrow French resources and material from the public library