At the heart of our French immersion program is a commitment to ensuring that only French is taught and spoken during instruction. This approach is fundamental to achieving full fluency and immersing students in the language as deeply as possible. By creating an environment where French is the primary language of communication, students are encouraged to think, speak, and even dream in French, which accelerates their learning and helps them achieve fluency more quickly.
The Core Objective: Achieving Full Fluency in French
Our French immersion program is meticulously designed to guide students toward full fluency in the French language. The primary goal is not just to teach vocabulary or grammar, but to enable students to communicate effectively and confidently in any situation. This means understanding cultural nuances, mastering pronunciation, and developing the ability to think in French, rather than translating from another language. Achieving this level of fluency allows students to navigate French-speaking environments with ease, whether for personal, academic, or professional purposes. In this process, English is not taught as part of the curriculum.
Support for English Speakers: When Necessary, English is Used
While our program is designed to immerse students completely in the French language, we understand that English-speaking students might need occasional support, especially when dealing with complex or critical concepts. We speak English to anglophones only when it is necessary to help them understand important or difficult things. This ensures that they are not overwhelmed and can fully grasp the material, but the primary language of instruction remains French.
Specialized Support for Non-English Speakers
For students whose first language is not English, our approach is tailored to ensure they always start from their own native language rather than using English as an intermediary. This method is crucial in maintaining the immersive nature of the program while providing the support needed for effective learning. For German and Dutch speakers, we offer specialized instruction through our teaching staff, while Chinese and Japanese speakers have access to an on-site interpreter to aid their understanding.
What Does the French Immersion Curriculum Include?
Our curriculum is structured to provide comprehensive and immersive language instruction. We focus on cultural immersion, personalized instruction, and systematic teaching methods that enhance pronunciation, vocabulary, listening, and speaking skills in the most effective way. The program includes a variety of activities such as conversation practice, pronunciation exercises, and role-playing in everyday or professional scenarios. Additionally, students engage with French literature, films, and other media to deepen their understanding of the language and culture. Throughout all of this, French is the sole language of instruction.
Who Can Join the French Immersion Program?
Our French immersion program is open to all students, regardless of their native language, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to achieve fluency. To maintain the integrity of the immersive experience, we have established specific guidelines and support systems tailored to meet the diverse needs of our students:
- Support for English Speakers: For students whose first language is English, we provide necessary explanations in English when dealing with particularly complex or essential information. This ensures that students are not overwhelmed and can fully grasp the material without breaking the immersive nature of the program. However, the primary language of instruction is always French.
- Specialized Instruction for German and Dutch Speakers: Students whose first language is German or Dutch receive specialized instruction tailored to their linguistic background, supported by our skilled teaching staff. This approach allows these students to benefit from personalized teaching methods that cater specifically to their needs, while still maintaining full immersion in French.
- On-Site Interpreters for Chinese and Japanese Speakers: For students whose first languages are Chinese or Japanese, we have an on-site interpreter available to assist them. This ensures that they can fully understand and participate in the program, without relying solely on English as an intermediary language. Our goal is to ensure that these students start from their native language, not English, maintaining the immersive nature of the program.
Guidelines and Policies to Ensure Success
To support our goal of full French immersion, we have specific procedures in place. For anglophone students, we provide explanations in English only when necessary, such as when dealing with difficult or essential information. This approach ensures that students are not overwhelmed and can fully grasp important concepts without losing the immersive experience. For students who speak other languages, such as German or Dutch, we have specialized instructors who cater to their linguistic needs. Additionally, for those whose first language is Chinese or Japanese, we offer the support of an on-site interpreter to facilitate understanding and communication without resorting to English.