French Immersion

French Immersion is an optional program offered in some KPR schools. The program starts in Senior Kindergarten and continues until Grade 12. French Immersion instruction focuses on four distinct but interrelated strands: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

See our Registration Page for complete details on how to register a student for French Immersion

At the elementary level, the program includes the study of French as a second language (FSL) and the study of at least two other subjects taught in French. These subjects can be selected from the arts, social studies (Grades 1 to 6) or history and geography (Grades 7 and 8), mathematics, science and technology, and health and physical education. Students receive instruction in French for 100% of the time in Senior Kindergarten and Grade one, for 80% of the time in Grade two, for 70% to 80% of the time in Grades 3 and 4, for 50% to 60% of the time in Grades 5 and 6 and for 50% of the time in Grades 7 and 8. Students begin receiving instruction in the English language in Grade two which then gradually extends to include instruction in additional subjects.

The schools that offer the French Immersion program at the elementary level are:

• Adam Scott Intermediate, Peterborough (Grades 7-8)
• Beatrice Strong P.S., Port Hope (Grades SK-3, starting Sept. 2024, additional grade phased in each year)
• Brighton P.S., Brighton (Grades SK-1, starting Sept. 2024, additional grade phased in each year)
• C.R. Gummow P.S., Cobourg (Grades SK-8)
• Courtice Intermediate, Courtice (Grades 7-8)
• Dr. M.S. Hawkins Senior P.S., Port Hope (Grades 7-8)
• Dr. G.J. MacGillivray P.S., Courtice (Grades SK-6)
• Duke of Cambridge PS, Bowmanville (Grades SK-8)
• Edmison Heights P.S., Peterborough (Grades SK-6)
• Ganaraska Trail PS, Port Hope (Grades SK-6)
• Hillcrest P.S., Campbellford (Grades SK-1, starting Sept. 2024, additional grade phased in each year)
• Kaawaate East City P.S., Peterborough (SK-6)
• Lakefield District P.S., Lakefield (Grades SK-8)
• Murray Centennial P.S., Trenton (Grades SK-1, starting Sept. 2024, additional grade phased in each year)
• Newcastle P.S., Newcastle (Grades SK-4)
• Prince of Wales P.S., Peterborough (Grades SK-8)
• The Pines Senior P.S., Newcastle (Grade 5-7)
• Westmount P.S., Peterborough (Grades SK-6)

At the secondary level, students in French Immersion take four (4) FSL courses and accumulate an additional six (6) credits in other subjects where the language of instruction is French.

Students who complete the ten (10) secondary courses including four (4) French courses receive a Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board Immersion Certificate. Students who leave the French Immersion Program prior to full completion of the ten (10) courses receive an “Attestation des cours” indicating the titles of the courses they have completed.

The schools that offer the French Immersion program at the secondary level are:

• Adam Scott C.V.I., Peterborough
• Bowmanville High School, Bowmanville
• Cobourg Collegiate Institute, Cobourg
• Courtice Secondary School, Courtice
• East Northumberland Secondary School and Campbellford District High School, beginning September 2032 following the phasing in of French Immersion at Brighton PS, Murray Centennial PS and Hillcrest PS.

What are the benefits of French Immersion and Extended French?

Children enjoy language from an early age. They enjoy hearing stories and music and can repeat much of what they hear. French Immersion and Extended French programs offer your child the chance to become fluent in both of Canada's official languages. French Immersion and Extended French programs offer children positive learning experiences with life-long benefits. By studying a second language, students:

• acquire both of Canada's official languages
• learn to speak another language that is used worldwide, and acquire skills that could be useful in learning even more languages later in life
• strengthen their first-language skills
• enhance their reasoning, problem-solving and creative-thinking skills
• develop the capacity to understand and respect other cultures
• develop skills for educational and career advancement.

Should I choose Extended French or French Immersion?

• French Immersion begins in SK.
• Students receive instruction in French 100% of the time.
• Instruction in English begins in Grade 2.
• Math is taught in French until Grade 5.
• Extended French begins in Grade 2, after one year of Core French instruction.
• Children can express an interest in learning French on their own.
• Instruction of FSL and at least one other subject continues from Grades 5-8

How can I help my child succeed in French?

• Explain how French Immersion works. Help your child understand learning is gradual. Be supportive of the program and give your child a chance to adjust to it.
• Read to your child in English. Listen to your child read simple French books and stories, as language skills developed at home are transferable to school.
• Provide encouragement and positive support, e.g., praise your child's learning in French.
• Maintain good school-home communication, by meeting with teachers to discuss your child's progress.

Will my child be successful in English while being taught in French?

If English is your first language, your child begins school as an expert in English. Children learn vocabulary and grammar through listening and speaking at home. Some students may be a bit behind in English as they focus on learning French. Research shows that by the Junior grades, children will be as proficient in English as they are in French as language abilities transfer from one language to another.

Your child will learn to speak, read, and write in French using the same developmental abilities as they learned their first language. Language is made up of sounds; in French, the sounds are simply different. French Immersion and Extended French programs are exciting ways to challenge your child.

How can I support my child's French language acquisition?

• attend parent-teacher interviews.
• participate in parent workshops and school council activities.
• encourage your child to complete his/her assignments.
• provide your child with opportunities to practice new skills and apply new learning at home.
• encourage your child to talk, read, and write at home in his/her first language to strengthen their first-language skills which are the foundation for learning French.
• read aloud to your child either in his/her first language or in French.
• encourage your child to write in French (e.g., shopping lists, stories, a letter).
• go to the library with your child to borrow books, music, and DVDs in his/her first language and in French and talk about them with him/her.

Adapted from A framework for French as a second language in Ontario schools Kindergarten to grade 12

Join a local group like to meet other parents and to find out about French resources and cultural opportunities in the community.