École Connaught School

The earlier children are exposed to language and literacy through activities like reading and writing, the more likely they are to do well at school. This is the case no matter what language they are exposed to in their early years.

Even before they start school, children acquire thinking and communication skills that enable them to learn other languages and to succeed in school. They learn those skills by hearing and speaking the language of their home – whether it is English or Portuguese, Farsi, Urdu or Chinese.

You don’t need special skills to help your child learn French. Spending time with your child – talking about what he or she is thinking about and doing in his or her everyday life – will make a difference.

The goal of French Immersion is to develop proficiency, not just in French but in English as well – Canada’s two official languages. This goal is based on solid research. Studies show that if your child develops abilities in French, this will help your child continue to improve in English. There are many skills and abilities that transfer between different languages. These can include phonetic skills, comprehension strategies, higher-order thinking skills and familiarity with text formats, such as books, manuals, recipes and websites. This explains why children who are literate in one language are likely to have an advantage in learning a second. It also explains why your child’s developing proficiency in French will not limit his or her growth in mastering English.

Parents can play a big role in supporting their child’s success in French. Below are some of the literacy skills that can be transferred from one language to another.

• Communicating effectively – regardless of the language being used, communication makes us organize our thinking. We need to think about our audience and choose language that explains our thinking with precision.
• Thinking imaginatively and analytically – we use language to wonder about and imagine solutions to everyday problems, and to weigh a range of possibilities and outcomes to our actions.
• Accessing, managing, evaluating and creating information – languages serve as tools that allow us to receive information, build knowledge and communicate understanding. When we learn to do this in one language, we can apply it to any language we speak.
• Understanding how we learn and think – when we come to know how we think and what helps us learn, we grow in our ability to apply this knowledge to new learning. When we recognize our unique strengths and ways of learning, we can apply this in every language we use.

• Show an interest in the program and their progress
• Encourage and support their efforts
• Participate wherever possible in the total life of the school. Become a volunteer in the classroom by coming on field trips, helping with reading programs, helping with Munch a Lunch, etc.
• Provide additional opportunities for exposure to French language and culture beyond the classroom, such as choosing one or two TV programs and watch them on the French channel or participate in French community events.
• Help them develop good study habits: reread homework questions, understand what the question is asking, find answers in notes or other resources, and help them to answer questions by formulating complete sentences.
• Have them read orally and summarize briefly what is read. This often helps consolidate French comprehension and encourages the child to extract the general meaning of a passage rather than dwelling on a few words they don’t understand. If those few tricky words keep re-appearing in passages, then consult a dictionary or online translator. It is normal not to understand every word.
• Keep in contact with your child’s teacher, they can direct you to helpful websites or resources, and give you additional information about specific assignments. 
• Set up homework partners with the help of the teacher, so your child can contact their study partner for support.

• Canadian Parents for French http://cpf.ca
• FSL Homework Toolbox http://www.fslhomeworktoolbox.ca
• Homework Help https://homeworkhelp.ilc.org

Research shows that French Immersion is the most effective way for a child to become functionally bilingual. French Immersion in Alberta is the delivery of the curriculum guidelines using French as the language of instruction. Children may enter the program in Kindergarten or Grade One and transfer in from another immersion program at any time.

When making educational choices, more and more parents are recognizing that knowing a second language is an important skill in today’s academic and business world – and will be even more important in the future. Consider the many advantages of this amazing program. Studies have shown that children learn second languages much easier than adults. Children benefit from learning two languages- their thinking and reasoning skills improve and English skills are enhanced. Students graduate from French Immersion programs with a high level of proficiency in French and English and an increased sense of confidence and independence.