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Second chance at learning French Late French immersion program to be offered at Weledeh Catholic School
Miranda Scotland
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, June 12, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Students who missed out on joining the Yellowknife Catholic Schools' (YCS) early French immersion program at the elementary level are being given a second chance to pick up the language.
A new French immersion program is now being offered to Grade 7 students at Weledeh Catholic School. Josee Clermont, Yellowknife Catholic School French program co-ordinator, said it gives students who missed out on the early French immersion program a second chance at learning the language. - Miranda Scotland/NNSL photo |
Come September, Weledeh School will be offering an immersion program to students entering Grade 7 who have little or no experience with French.
Participants will take all their regular core subjects, which include language arts, science, social studies and math, in French while most of their other courses will be taught in English.
YCS French program co-ordinator Josee Clermont, who taught a similar immersion program when she lived in Vancouver, said the late immersion students usually start off barely speaking. But by the time February rolls around they've picked up the necessary skills and it's nearly impossible to get them to quiet down.
"It's is a really, really good way for them to learn French in a short period of time," said Clermont. "The reason why it works well is when students enter in Grade 7 they already have strategies, work habits ... and those are transferable."
Students who enrol in the course will continue the program in Grade 8 and then enter regular French immersion in high school. Currently, seven students have signed up for late French immersion and more are being accepted.
Jenny Tucker and her husband considered enrolling their daughter Zoe in immersion in kindergarten but decided they wanted her to learn English first. Now that her first language is well developed, the family wants her to have the chance to expand her knowledge of French. This program seems right, said Tucker, adding they made sure it was something Zoe wanted to do before enrolling her.
"There's lots of things that if you don't make the decision when they're five or four ... they don't get a second chance to start. I'm very pleased she gets a second chance to have French as an option," Tucker said.
She expects her daughter will need some time to settle into the new program but is confident she will do well and that the school will have supports available to students if needed. The fact the students who signed up want to be there will also make a difference, she said. The children will likely be more focused and motivated to excel, Tucker continued.
Clermont confirmed there will be extra help for students who need it, adding the teacher will likely offer homework help and a buddy program may be set up.
"(The program) is a really good opportunity," Clermont said. "There is a growing demand for bilingual people. The government here has to fulfil their obligations in terms of the French language services and there is a lot of job possibilities for these students. It's good for their career whether they stay in the territories or leave. "
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