Expanding Horizons Through French Language Learning

At the Northeastern Catholic District School Board, we believe that learning a second language enriches a child’s educational journey and opens doors to new cultural experiences and global opportunities. We are committed to providing French as a Second Language (FSL) programming that equips our students with strong communication skills in French, deepens their understanding of Canadian and other Francophone cultures, and fosters a lifelong appreciation for language learning. We offer two distinct pathways for French language acquisition: Core French and French Immersion.

Core French Program

Our Core French program is an integral part of the regular curriculum, designed to provide all students with foundational French language skills.

• Elementary (Grades 4-8): Students begin their Core French journey in Grade 4, receiving 40 minutes of instruction daily. This continues through to Grade 8, where the focus is on developing practical French language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The program prepares students to apply their linguistic and cultural knowledge in real-life situations.
• Secondary (Grades 9-12): In secondary school, students are required to earn at least one compulsory Core French credit in Grade 9. The program continues to build on their foundational skills, enhancing their ability to communicate effectively in French. Students learning French for the first time are also accommodated in our grade 9 programming.

French Immersion Program

The French Immersion program is an enriching option for students seeking to achieve a high level of proficiency in French. This program offers a significant portion of daily instruction in French, allowing students to learn all the same curriculum content as their peers in the English program, but with French as the medium of instruction and communication.

• Elementary French Immersion (Kindergarten – Grade 8): Our program begins in Kindergarten, with instruction delivered predominantly in French (e.g., approximately 70% beginning in Kindergarten, gradually adjusting to around 50% by Grades 5-8). Instruction in Religion and Mathematics is delivered in English in all grades, and students in French Immersion also engage in studying English language arts throughout their programming. The goal is for students to become proficient in both French and English while studying the Ontario curriculum.
• Secondary French Immersion (Grades 9-12): Students in the secondary French Immersion program aim for a B2 (upper intermediate) level of proficiency by the end of their four-year program. Students typically complete 4 French language courses, and at least 2 other subject courses taught in French, with a potential for more depending on individual student pathway choices.

Goals and Opportunities

Both our Core French and French Immersion programs are designed to empower students to use French to communicate effectively, learn about Canada’s bicultural heritage and other cultures, appreciate the global community, and become lifelong language learners.

To further support and recognize student achievement, all secondary French Immersion students have the opportunity to participate in the DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française) examination. This internationally recognized certification assesses French language proficiency at various levels and can potentially exempt students from language test requirements for registration in French universities if they achieve a B2 level.