Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife ( Jun 02/00) - Yellowknife Education District No. 1's French immersion program turned 20 this year.

According to Lilly Oldham, supervisor of instruction for the Yk No. 1 board office, the program has come a long way since first introduced to Yellowknife in 1979.

"We started in 1979 with 20 kids in Grade 4 at J.H. Sissons and this year, there are 226 students from grades 4 to 12, so it has grown hugely," said Oldham.

The French immersion program began at J.H. Sissons with a single teacher who, according to Oldham, had to make up the curriculum as the school year progressed.

Now there are over 20 people working for the French immersion program within the Yk No. 1 district at three separate schools: J.H. Sissons, William McDonald and Sir John Franklin.

"We now have a curriculum from the GNWT with tons of French immersion developments. Teachers don't have to struggle so much anymore."

Madeleine Fontan, a teacher at William McDonald school since 1986, believes that the French immersion program has been nothing but a plus for her students and herself as well.

"I'm very happy because I had a lot of students come back to see me," said an elated Fontan.

"I had kids who have moved and write me and tell me that the program is strong, because they know a lot of things when people (francophones) speak to them."

These days, Yellowknife students interested in taking French immersion are invited to attend a two-week, pre-immersion seminar at the end of their Grade 3 year. This allows for students and parents alike to gain perspective and see whether French immersion is right for them.

"During that time they do some math, art ... and this gives parents an opportunity to make a more informed decision about going into French immersion," explained Oldham.

Students from grades 4-12 in the Yk District French immersion program gathered at William McDonald school Friday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of learning French in Yellowknife. Many were wearing white shirts with an otter reading a book emblazoned on the front.

"Lou-la-Loutre," Oldham said.

"That's our mascot because he's equally at home in two worlds -- on land and water -- which is what it's like to speak two languages."

French immersion student Shea Alain had no problems sharing this sentiment.

"It's fun and you get to learn exactly the same things in English but in French," Alain said.