What Will My Child’s Education Look Like?

First developed in Quebec, French immersion is an academic program specifically designed for students whose first language is either English, or another language other than French.  The primary objective of French immersion is to create students who are functionally bilingual -   students who can converse in French with ease in both an academic and a non-academic (the workplace) environment.

Typically there exist three types of French immersion within Canada – early, middle and late.  However, early and late immersions are the most common types of programs offered and are the focus of this web site.

Early French Immersion (EFI) is a program that begins as early as primary or grade 1.  For the first two or three years, students in early immersion learn exclusively in French.  By grades 3 or 4, English language arts is introduced and, as students progress into upper elementary, French instruction comprises between 70% to 80% of their school day.

The decision to enroll a child in EFI is typically made by the parent(s) based on their aspirations for their child.  

Late French Immersion (LFI) begins in grades 6 or 7. Students enrolled in this program receive approximately 75% of their instruction in French.  Generally core subjects such as Social Studies, Science, Math, French Language Arts (FLA) and Health (DPS) are taught in French while the remaining subjects are taught in English. 

The decision to enroll in LFI is usually made by the student with the support and encouragement of the parent(s).

French Immersion is a proven Canadian approach to second language

learning…No educational program has been so intensively researched and

evaluated in Canada as has French immersion.  The effects of the program on the

acquisition of French language as well as English-language skills, and the

academic achievement of French immersion students, have been well documented

and research shows that the program works. ²

As with learning any new skill, the more hours spent practicing the skill, the more proficient and accomplished one becomes.  The same is true of second language learning - the more practice, the more proficient the learner becomes.

Since its inception, French immersion has been a source of interest for those in both the educational and medical fields curious to study its effects on the intellectual, emotional and social development of immersion students.  Now, more than 35 years and hundreds of studies later, the research has produced volumes of information that consistently attest to the success of the program. 

Click on Research to discover what research says about both early and late immersion.

2.  Brehaut, P. & Slevinsky, R. (2002).  Handbook for French Immersion Administrators.  Alberta:  Alberta Learning.  French Language Services Branch p. 10.