Middle French Immersion

A new program for students to enter French Immersion in Grade 4

Starting in School Year 2011/12, Ecole St. Paul School will provide the opportunity for students to enter French Immersion in Grade 4 (Middle Entry).  A popular and successful program in Ontario and Nova Scotia, St. Paul will be the first Alberta School to offer this program.

Students can now enter French Immersion in Preschool (Premier Pas Early Entry), Kindergarten, Grade 1 or in Grade 4.   Students can then continue to l’école secondaire Sainte Trinité (Holy Trinity Catholic High School) and earn their French High School Diploma.

The Middle French Immersion Program is a District wide initiative, but it is only offered at Ecole St. Paul School.  All students entering Grade 4 in Fort McMurray are eligible for this new program and bussing will be provided throughout the city.

Charateristics of the ideal Middle French Immersion Candidate

Middle entry to french immersion is best suited for a student who:

–is performing well in English Language Arts;

- has strong work and study habits;

-  has a positive attitude towards learning a new language;

-  is not afraid to make mistakes and take risks;

-  is looking for an enriched program and for challenges

Do any of these characteristics describe your child?  If so, you may be interested in the possibility of enrolling your child in the MFI Program.

Why French Immersion?

Learning a second language improves one’s writing and thinking skills. This process also has important benefits for mother tongue skills, as well as providing facility in a second language.  No matter how we earn our living after the school years, each of us must be able to think and express our thoughts clearly.  Learning a second language helps in doing both..

Knowing a second language gives each of us access to a larger pool of information and a wider area in which to seek employment and cultural enrichment.  These factors are very important for those who aim to develop a national perspective in professions such as journalism, sociology, history, architecture, literature, engineering, science, medicine, music and dance.  They are equally important for people who will be working directly with people, whether at the management level or in the service sector of travel services, the hospitality industry, health services and government services.  Mastering a second language allows each of us to have more flexibility not only with regard to the kind of employment we find, but also in the way we do the job.

Knowing a second language enriches the quality of life.  Not only do we gain a better understanding of who we are and where we come from as Canadians, but we also have better access than unilingual persons to music, literature, theatre, art and cinema.

Learning a second language provides individuals with the opportunity to develop the kinds of learning skills and discipline that are useful throughout their entire lives.

Acquiring a second language, especially early in life, facilitates learning a third language and indeed a fourth or fifth language.  Speaking a second language increases the level of respect and understanding of “other language” speakers and other world cultures.

Looking for more information?

You can also contact our staff at St. Paul School at (780 799-5760 or by e-mail at sp@fmcschools.ca.  Our staff will be pleased to answer any questions on the new Middle French Immersion opportunity or on any other programs available in our District.

Canadian Parents for French (CFP) is the national network of volunteers which values French as an integral part of Canada and which is dedicated to the promotion on the teaching of French as a second language in Canada.  Valuable information is available on their web site at www.cpf.ca

QUICK FACTS ABOUT MIDDLE FRENCH IMMERSION

-   Middle French Immersion – L’immersion médiale

-   One child – Two languages – Many opportunities

-   Entry in grade 4

-   Middle immersion grades 4,5,6

-   Entry into the regular program at Holy Trinity for grades 7-12

-   Is very structured and specifically designed for students whose first language is not French

-   Program is experiencing great success in Ontario

-   Is exciting and rewarding

-   Has cross-curricular activities

“Grade 4 is the ideal starting point.  At that age, students are eager to learn and more apt to take risks.”

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