French Immersion

There is an Enrolment Process by which families need to proceed if interested to register a child in a French Immersion Program, either for the Early French Immersion Program or the Late French Immersion Program. An application form needs to first be completed and submitted by the deadline of each year, which demonstrates a commitment by the families to register their child in the designated program if their child is accepted and to understand that there is a commitment for the child to stay in the French Immersion program until Grade 12, where families understand that their support and encouragement will be very important throughout the child’s journey of learning in the French Immersion program.

It is very important that parents attend a French Immersion Parent Information Meeting.

How to Apply to French Immersion

1. Parents apply online by entering their details, their child’s details (one application per child), indicate their French Immersion school choices in order of preference and submit their application by the appropriate deadline:
   Early French Immersion (Kindergarten-Grade 12) 4p.m. on January 22nd
   Late French Immersion (Grade 6-Grade 12) 4p.m. on February 12th
2. An e-mail communication to each applicant will be automatically generated once the application form has been completed. If you have not received the e-mail Confirmation of Application then you have not successfully applied.
3. If applications exceed space available, six priorities are used to select students:
   I. Students living in Delta or attending a Delta school within the immersion school’s French program attendance area, and who have siblings in the District’s French Immersion program.
   II. Students living in Delta or attending a Delta school within the immersion school’s French program attendance area, and who do not have siblings in the District’s French Immersion program.
   III. Students living in Delta or attending a Delta school outside the immersion school’s French program attendance area, and who have siblings in the District’s French Immersion program.
   IV. Students living in Delta or attending a Delta school outside the immersion school’s French program attendance area, and who do not have siblings in the District’s French Immersion program.
   V. Students living outside Delta and not attending a Delta school, who have siblings in the District’s French Immersion program.
   VI. Students living outside Delta and not attending a Delta school, who do not have siblings in the District’s French Immersion program.
4. Where applications exceed places available in any priority, placement will be determined on the basis of a draw, that is not determined by order of application. The draw will take place three weeks after the application deadline.
5. Successful applicants will be placed at a French Immersion school. All other applicants will be placed on a waitlist.
6. Successful applicants will have to register at the French Immersion School they have been accepted to and will need to provide the following documents at time of registration:
   • Proof of birth date (Original birth certificate or passport)
   • Proof of citizenship for both the parent and the student (Canadian birth certificate, citizenship card, passport, landed immigrant document, permanent resident card)
   • Care Card, medical and emergency contact information
   • Proof of Residency (Property taxes- current receipt, purchase/rental agreement or rental receipt with address)

   Please be aware that providing faulty information about one’s address on the French Immersion Application will result in the student losing their current Priority Category and applicant will be last priority for French Immersion placement.

7. Applicants who have been waitlisted for Early French Immersion will need to register at their local catchment school.
8. French Immersion spaces are filled by priority until all available spots have been allocated. Applicants that have been waitlisted will remain on the waitlist until if/when they are offered a space.
9. If a student drops out of French Immersion, the applicant who is next on the waitlist will be contacted.

French Immersion Applications will be online this year.

Early French Immersion
Online application will be available on: January 4, 2025 at 8 a.m.
Application deadline: January 22, 2025 at 4 p.m.

Online Application Page (available on January 4th at 8 a.m.)

Parents/Guardians of Early French Immersion applicants will be notified by February 8, 2024 if:

1. they have been accepted to Early French Immersion
2. what school they should register at

Late French Immersion
Online application will be available on:  January 4, 2025 at 8 a.m.
Application deadline:  February 12, 2025 at 4 p.m.

Online Application Page (available on January 4th, 2025 at 8 a.m.)

Please direct questions or concerns about your French Immersion application, to gogerblack@deltaschools.ca

For Early French Immersion:

A pre-recorded Early French Immersion Information presentation is available here: https://vimeo.com/649615646

Jan 13th 6:30pm- EFI parent info night in-person at Burnsview Secondary

Jan 14th 6:30 pm- EFI parent info night in-person at South Delta Secondary

Early French Immersion application deadline:  Jan 22nd 4pm

For Late French Immersion:

A pre-recorded Late French Immersion Information presentation is available here: https://vimeo.com/503206055

Feb 10th 6:30 pm – LFI parent info night in-person at Chalmers Elementary

Feb 11th 6:30 pm- LFI parent info night in-person at Cliff Drive Elementary

Late French Immersion application deadline: Feb 12th 4pm

Is it necessary for my child to know some French before enrolling?
No. Students are not required to have any background in French prior to entering either the Early or Late French Immersion program.

What if English is not our first language?
Evidence indicates that English Language Learners enrolled in French Immersion perform as well as their Anglophone counterparts, and ELL students who come to French Immersion having already developed literacy in their home language often perform even better than Anglophone students (Canadian Council on Learning, 2007).

When is English taught?
From Kindergarten to Grade 2, students are taught only in French. Formal English instruction begins at Grade 3.

Will my child learn the same things as students in English classes?
Yes, the curriculum is created by the Ministry of British Columbia. Students work toward the same academic goals regardless of the language of instruction.

Will my child’s level of achievement be adversely affected if instruction is in the French language?
Most children who receive their education in French are able to achieve the same levels of competency in all core subjects as those children who have had all their instruction in English.

If I teach my child to read in English, will this be confusing for my child?
If you notice that your child is confusing some letter sounds while reading in English, teach your child about the differences of certain letter sounds in French and English by making a chart or diagram. Usually, the initial confusion will be short-lived and your child will have the benefit of discovering that they are readers not only in French, but in English as well! The key is not to panic.

What are the benefits of French Immersion?
A student who has successfully completed the K-12 French Immersion program will:

• Participate easily in conversations in English and French
• Have an increased appreciation of another language and other cultures
• Be able to take post-secondary courses with French as the language of instruction
• Accept employment where French is the language of the workplace
• Receive a bilingual designation on their secondary school diploma, which can enhance their employment and post-secondary learning opportunities

What resources are available to support my child and I?
Help always starts with your child’s classroom teacher. Contact your child’s teacher and the school’s administrative team as they can suggest ways to support your child. Your child will receive the same support regardless of the fact that they are in French Immersion.

Will classes be smaller in French Immersion?
No, class size is the same as in English: 20 students in K, 22 in Grade 1 to 3, 30
students in Grade 4 to 12.

Will my child(ren) have bussing available?
No, bussing will not be provided to families.

Can my child enter French Immersion in Grade 1 instead of Kindergarten?
French Immersion is designed as a K-12 program, and Delta offers two entry points into French Immersion: Early French Immersion in Kindergarten and Late French Immersion in Grade 6. Ideally students enter in Kindergarten, however, under unique circumstances, a small number of students do enter in Grade 1, at the discretion of the school principal. This is most typically students who hav moved into the area during Kindergarten. If any Grade 1 spots do become available at a Delta school, priority goes to:

1. Students who are already in a French Immersion program (either in another Delta school or other district)
2. Students new to Delta who haven’t applied before
3. Delta students who were offered a spot in Kindergarten but chose not to take it

Is there before and after school child care for French Immersion students
available?
No. However, schools or their Parent Advisory Committee may be able to provide support in this area.

If I do not speak French, how will I help my child?
Students will experience increased success in French Immersion as they are able to
engage, self-motivate, and initiate practice on their own. There are a number of ways
you can support them is this:

• You can help your child by helping them develop good study habits such as regularly practicing reading and speaking, re-reading homework questions, and answering questions in complete sentences.You can also help by having your child read orally to you and they can summarize what was said.
• Be appreciative and encouraging of your child’s effort to work and play in a new language.
• Continue reading to them each day in English to increase vocabulary and strengthen literacy skills. Reading regularly with your young child at home is important to promote a love of reading. A child exposed to a language-rich environment usually performs well in the French Immersion setting.
• Keep in contact with your child’s teacher. Attend parent-teacher-student interviews and keep in contact with your child’s teacher to discuss progress. Your teacher can direct you to helpful websites, amazing mobile apps or resources and give you additional information about specific assignments.
• Set-up homework partners with the help of your child’s teacher, as then your child can contact their partner for support.
• Provide an environment rich in experiences, such as visits to the nature centre or swimming pool. Talk about these experiences afterwards.
• Listen to French music or television shows or movies with your child.
• Attend a French community activity with your child, contact the Canadian Parents for French.
• Consider learning some french alongside your child!

Parent Questions from Parent Question and Answer sessions

1. I think our biggest concern is the social and friend making aspect of school for our son. He is definitely on the shyer side and we worry that with the added challenge of a new language it would perhaps take away from his ability to form connections. For instance if he started to talk to a classmate in english would this be discouraged by the teacher? All children starting to go to school vary in their comfort level with other students, and their ability to form friendships isn’t in any way hindered by the fact that they are learning to speak a new language. Teachers will support all students in making friendsand building a safe and positive social environment.
2. If we were accepted into the French immersion program are we able to change our minds before it starts? Yes, you may change your mind before the program starts. However, when you accept a French Immersion spot, the English spot at your catchment school is made available to other students. So, depending on the timing of your decision, you may risk that your local catchment English school may not have space for your child. We will work to get you into a Delta school, but it might not be possible at your catchment school.
3. We are in Ladner, if we just wanted to apply to the Ladner Elementary French Program (and not do it if it is in North Delta) is that okay? Yes, it is fine to apply at just one French Immersion school. However, applying to other schools means you have other options to enter the Delta French Immersion Program. If you accept a spot at another school, this sets you up for possibly moving back to your first choice school, should a spot open up in the future. If a student doesn’t enter Kindergarten when there are spots available at other Delta schools, this greatly reduces any future opportunity to enter French Immersion.
4. Are the classes online or do they do it in school? Classes are in school. However, currently due to the COVID pandemic, some students have chosen to enrol in our district transition program (HomeQuest) with some French oral support.
5. Do you have no French background students enrolling into the EFI program? Yes! It is assumed that all students in the French Immersion program do not have a French background. If parents and children speak French then they should register into the Commission Scolaire Francophone and not Delta’s French Immersion. EFI is meant for non-French speakers.
6. What type of help/resources are available for children coming from non-French speaking families/backgrounds? French Immersion is designed to be a program that is primarily done only at school. Teachers find that students become very resourceful on their own and learn to help each other. A strategy that teachers use frequently is pairing up students both in class and at home to help each other with homework. However, there are resources available such as Sound of the Day videos which teachers sometimes send home to help parents practice fundamentals with their child. As well, parents have access to resources and tutoring through Canadian Parents for French to help parents support their child’s learning at home.
7. Do children struggle when it comes to learning how to read in English in Grade 3? Or is it up to the parent to teach the child how to read in English? As in all classrooms, children all come into Grade 3 at different levels of English, and teachers will start with where the students are at. As well, we know that students are still immersed in English outside for school, and so will continually be developing their English reading and writing. It is not up to the parents to teach their child how to read in English. However, supporting your student’s love of literacy routine at home will always benefit all learners, regardless of what program they are in.

Is it necessary for my child to know some French before enrolling?
No. Students are not required to have any background in French prior to entering either the Late French Immersion program.

What if English is not our first language?
Evidence indicates that English Language Learners enrolled in French Immersion perform as well as their Anglophone counterparts, and ELL students who come to French Immersion having already developed literacy in their home language often perform even better than Anglophone students (Canadian Council on Learning, 2007).

When is English taught?
In the Late French Immersion Program, English is reintroduced in Grade 7.

Will my child learn the same things as students in English classes?
Yes, the curriculum is created by the Ministry of British Columbia. Students work toward the same academic goals regardless of the language of instruction.

Will my child’s level of achievement be adversely affected if instruction is in the
French language?
Most children who receive their education in French are able to achieve the same levels of competency in all core subjects as those children who have had all their instruction in English.

What are the benefits of French Immersion?
A student who has successfully completed the K-12 French Immersion program will:

• Participate easily in conversations in English and French
• Have an increased appreciation of another language and other cultures
• Be able to take post-secondary courses with French as the language of instruction
• Accept employment where French is the language of the workplace
• Receive a bilingual designation on their secondary school diploma, which can enhance their employment and post-secondary learning opportunities

What resources are available to support my child and I?
Help always starts with your child’s classroom teacher. Contact your child’s teacher and the school’s administrative team as they can suggest ways to support your child. Your child will receive the same support regardless of the fact that they are in French Immersion.

Will classes be smaller in French Immersion?
No, class size is the same as in English: 30 students in Grade 6 to 12.

Will my child(ren) have bussing available?
No, bussing will not be provided to families.

How much homework should we expect?
It seems sometimes like there is more homework at first but, it will seem like less work as the year progresses. As well, a majority of the homework involves review to become familiar with the French for the material students already know in English. However, there is more work during major projects.

What if my child gets frustrated with homework?
Keep in contact with your child’s teacher. Attend parent-teacher-student interviews and keep in contact with your child’s teacher to discuss progress. Your teacher can direct you to helpful websites, amazing mobile apps or resources and give you additional information about specific assignments. Encourage your child to set-up homework partners with the help of your child’s teacher, as then your child can contact their partner for support. Students should not leave school if homework has not been understood. The student agenda is a useful communication tool and an integral part of the homework routine.

Will my child forget his/her English?
Although there are no English classes in grade 6 LFI, there is little concern of losing the language as students are surrounded by English at school, in the community, and in the media that surrounds them. However, parents can be proactive by encouraging reading and writing in English at home.

If I do not speak French, how will I help my child?
Students will experience increased success in French Immersion as they are able to engage, self-motivate, and initiate practice on their own. There are a number of ways you can support them is this:

• You can help your child by helping them develop good study habits such as regularly practicing reading and speaking, re-reading homework questions, and answering questions in complete sentences.You can also help by having your child read orally to you and they can summarize what was said.
• Be appreciative and encouraging of your child’s effort to work and play in a new language.
• Continue discussing with them about what they have learnt at school each day in English to increase vocabulary and strengthen literacy skills.
• Provide an environment rich in experiences, such as visits to the nature centre or swimming pool. Talk about these experiences afterwards.
• Listen to French music or television shows or movies with your child.
• Attend a French community activity with your child, contact the Canadian Parents for French.
• Consider learning some french alongside your child!

Parent Questions from Parent Question and Answer sessions

1. I think our biggest concern is the social and friend making aspect of school for our son. He is definitely on the shyer side and we worry that with the added challenge of a new language it would perhaps take away from his ability to form connections. For instance if he started to talk to a classmate in english would this be discouraged by the teacher? All children starting to go to school vary in their comfort level with other students, and their ability to form friendships isn’t in any way hindered by the fact that they are learning to speak a new language. Teachers will support all students in making friends and building a safe and positive social environment.
2. If we were accepted into the French Immersion program are we able to change
   our minds before it starts? Yes, you may change your mind before the program starts. However, when you accept a French Immersion spot, the English spot at your catchment school is made available to other students. So, depending on the timing of your decision, you may risk that your local catchment English school may not have space for your child. We will work to get you into a Delta school, but it might not be possible at your catchment school.
3. We are in Tsawwassen, if we just wanted to apply to the Cliff Drive Elementary
   French Program (and not do it if it is in North Delta) is that okay? Yes, it is fine to apply at just one French Immersion school. However, applying to other schools means you have other options to enter the Delta French Immersion Program. If you accept a spot at another school, this sets you up for possibly moving back to your first choice school, should a spot open up in the future.
4. Are the classes online or do they do it in school? Classes are in school. However, currently due to the COVID pandemic, some students have chosen to enrol in our district transition program (HomeQuest) with some French oral support.
5. What type of help/resources are available for children coming from non-French
   speaking families/backgrounds? French Immersion is designed to be a program that is primarily done only at school. Teachers find that students become very resourceful on their own and learn to help each other. A strategy that teachers use frequently is pairing up students both in class and at home to help each other with homework. As well, parents have access to resources and tutoring through Canadian Parents for French to help parents support their child’s learning at home.
6. What is the background on the prioritisation process for students with siblings in the French Immersion? We believe it is important to prioritize keeping families together in a school setting. Therefore, having siblings in a FI school is high on the priority list.
7. How often does the application process go to a draw? This depends on the number of applicants and the number of spots available each year and therefore differs from year to year.
8. What are the attendance areas in regards to the priorities used to select
   students? Ecole Chalmers Elementary if students live in North Delta. Ecole Cliff Drive Elementary if students live in South Delta (Ladner or Tsawwassen).

Scenario 1

I live in the Sunshine Hills catchment area and want my only child in French Immersion regardless of where it is. My first choice is Sunshine Hills, my 2nd choice is Richardson, my 3rd choice is Devon Gardens, my fourth is Ladner, and my fifth is South Park. My child will be Priority 2 at Sunshine Hills and Priority 4 at all other French Immersion schools. If my child registers into French Immersion at another school then my child will be eligible to transfer to Sunshine Hills in Grade 1 if there is space available.

Scenario 2

I live in the Sunshine Hills catchment area, my first child is a French Immersion student at Sunshine Hills and I want my second child to also attend Sunshine Hills. My first choice is Sunshine Hills, my second choice is registering my child into Sunshine Hills English Kindergarten knowing that my child will not be eligible for French Immersion in Grade 1 and that the next entry point into French Immersion for my child is in grade 6 in Late French Immersion which is only available at Chalmers and Cliff Drive.

Scenario 3

I live in the Sunshine Hills catchment area, my first child is a French Immersion student at Sunshine Hills and I want my second child to also attend French Immersion. My first choice is Sunshine Hills, my 2nd choice is Richardson, my 3rd choice is Devon Gardens, my fourth is Ladner, and my fifth is South Park. My child will be Priority 1 for Sunshine Hills, Priority 3 for all other French Immersion schools. If my child registers into French Immersion at another school then my child will be eligible to transfer to Sunshine Hills in Grade 1 if there is space available.

École Devon Gardens Elementary (DG) – if students live in the attendance area for: Annieville, Brooke, Devon Gardens, Gibson or Hellings Elementary Schools.

École Richardson Elementary (RI) – if students live in the attendance area for: Chalmers, Gray, Jarvis, McCloskey or Richardson Elementary Schools.

École Sunshine Hills Elementary (SH) – if students live in the attendance area for: Sunshine Hills, Pinewood, Cougar Canyon or Heath Elementary Schools.

École Ladner Elementary (LE) – if students live in the attendance area for: Hawthorne, Holly, Ladner, Port Guichon or Neilson Grove Elementary Schools.

École South Park Elementary (SP) – if students live in the attendance area for: Beach Grove, Cliff Drive, English Bluff, Pebble Hill or South Park Elementary Schools.