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French Immersion…is it for your student

Mar 26, 2019 | 8:07 AM

As a parent, you are faced with many decisions; it just comes with the territory. One of those tough decisions is whether to enroll your child into French Immersion or go with the traditional English language route when it comes to their education. Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division has outstanding programs in both French and English, so choosing which one may be a hard decision, especially if parents know little or no French. That’s when it becomes a decision based on information and confidence in the educational team supporting the students and their families. There really is no need to worry and you can support your child in their French language education: French Immersion is designed to support non-French speaking parents. As English speaking parents, when you value the importance of education and model this at home, your child benefits from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in either English or French.

Prince Albert is home to a thriving French speaking community and the Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division has four schools offering French Immersion with 100’s of students and families benefiting each year. Superintendent of Schools, Tom Michaud, wants everyone to know not only the benefits of French Immersion from Kindergarten through to Grade 12, but also the value of it for the children as they prepare for their adult lives.

He has experienced all of this first hand and offers his experiences. “The best thing about knowing two languages as a kid, was that I could communicate with all of my family members – French and English. As I journeyed across Canada, I’ve always been able to communicate and connect with people.” Michaud goes on to say, “My education is all French Immersion, I’ve enjoyed and it led me to a rewarding profession and to enriching experiences all across Canada and beyond.”

Saskatchewan has the highest rate of growth in Canada when it comes to the number of students enrolled in French Immersion programs, and SRPSD is following that trend. According to Michaud, “I think there’s an overall greater appreciation of the advantages of learning another language. French Immersion education prepares our children for the many opportunities that go way beyond the borders of Saskatchewan. Plus, with an increase in immigration, more families tend to place more value on being multi-lingual.” The numbers for French Immersion has more than doubled in the last 10 years. Michaud adds, “And there’s nothing indicating that trend will change anytime soon.”

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Michaud says the main concern he’s faced with from parents, is wondering if a student will be ready for post secondary instruction after having gone through French Immersion in high school. “Data shows that students enrolled in French Immersion do just as well as English students, and typically have better results in the standardized testing in literacy and mathematics. Also, just from knowing more than one language, their employment opportunities have increased. There are automatically more avenues available to them.”

Currently, four schools in the Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division offer French Immersion in Prince Albert and area. École Arthur Pechey Public School, École Vickers Public School, École Debden Public School, have vibrant K-8 programs and Carlton Comprehensive Public High School provides a robust high school French Immersion program. There are no additional costs to attend French Immersion.

Michaud continues, “a multi-lingual education is a great gift you can offer your kids and a life-long benefit to them in various aspects in their daily living. As they grow, they will have many opportunities to use that second language. They’re open, actively engaged and fully contributing to a more culturally diverse society.”

For more information on French Immersion programs within Prince Albert and area, or to register your child in French Immersion, check out the Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division’s website: www.srsd119.ca.

Further information regarding the benefits of French Immersion can be found at Canadian Parents for French – Saskatchewan Branch https://sk.cpf.ca/

French Immersion – An opportunity for enhanced growth for every child.