The South Cariboo chapter of Canadian Parents for French (SCCPF) encourages families with children starting kindergarten this year to consider enrolling them in French Immersion.
SCCPF vice-president Keri Donnelly notes that even if your child is finishing kindergarten this year, there are opportunities to enrol in Grade 1 French Immersion (FI) in the fall, but after that, the chance is gone.
Designed to produce functionally bilingual students, she explains the benefits of FI are many, but the ability to graduate with Double-Dogwood is paramount.
“It's an advantage; it opens up doors. Also, studies have shown learning a second language often helps children become better communicators because they learn to listen more to the key words.”
Donnelly has two children in FI, one in Grade 2 and the other in kindergarten.
“They enjoy singing the songs together at home, and saying phrases to each other in French.”
However, parents don't need to hold any French language skills whatsoever, and she adds studies show student's English skills aren't hindered by FI.
“The teachers are really good at supporting the kids at school, so even the minimal homework that does happen (in French), it's been explained and they don't need that extra help.”
Donnelly notes people speak French in more than 30 countries, so fluency is also beneficial when travelling.
Locally, students can enrol in FI at 100 Mile House Elementary School and continue in all secondary grades through to Grade 12 at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School.
These students begin to study some English by Grade 4, and then gradually take fewer classes in French.
By graduation, they will have acquired sufficient skills to pursue post-secondary studies or employment in either official language.
The teacher of the FI kindergarten class, which started in September, is Marnie Tarves and she is already speaking about 90 per cent French in the classroom, Donnelly says, and the children understand her very well.
“It really is amazing how quickly they pick it up, and all of them do pick it up.”
Donnelly says she believes having fluent French may give some people the confidence they need to travel abroad or to learn further languages.
While she doesn’t speak French, Donnelly notes her children enjoy being “one up” on their mother.
School District #27 enrolment began Jan. 29 with a deadline of March 15, and she says FI is on a first-come-first serve basis, but if the class fills up, there is a waiting list.
Forms are available at 100 Mile Elementary, along with Schools of Choice forms for those outside the catchment area.
For more information, go to CPF South Cariboo on Facebook, or visit the national website atcpf.ca.