Yellowknife (Apr 21/06) - A new French program is set to go ahead at William McDonald school in September.

The optional program, called intensive French, is designed to give Grade 6 students who aren't enroled in French immersion a chance to become bilingual - something core French classes aren't doing, said Jean-Marie Mariez, Yk 1 supervisor for French instruction.

"According to Dr. Joan Netten, 94 per cent of students taking core French in Grades 1-4 cannot communicate in French," said Mariez.

Netten, who works at Memorial University of Newfoundland, helped a team of around 12 Yk 1 educators create the pilot program for William McDonald school next September.

Most students who take core French throughout school tend to drop out, leaving only 16 per cent of students still taking the courses by Grade 12, said Netten in a presentation to Yk 1 staff and administration.

The program will be split into two semesters. The first half will focus on learning French using projects, and will have 80 per cent of the instruction in French and 20 per cent left in English.

The second semester will feature the opposite.

All subjects will be dealt with in both languages except for math, which will be exclusively in English throughout the year.

The decision to create the intensive French program was based on a 2004 review of the French curriculum, both immersion and regular French classes.

The results showed parents would like a more intensive program for children who haven't been enroled in French immersion.

Intensive French is not the same as French immersion classes. Instead Mariez said it will give children a "boost" in their language skills.

After completing the program, students can enter a full French immersion class or the late immersion program in Grade 7, or have the chance to participate in an enhanced French class proposed to begin in September 2007.

The students can also go back to regular core French classes.

Principal Dean MacInnis said if this program is successful, Yk 1 may consider expanding the program to teaching the Dogrib language.

The department of education, culture and employment is funding the program but hasn't finalized the exact amount of money needed.

Mariez said he was assured by he department the program will cover the cost of a teacher, which is approximately $80,000-85,000.

Yk 1 has not registered any students for the program yet, but has held an information session for parents March 31.

Immersion camps and an open house promoting the project will take place in May.

Mariez is hoping to have a class of 15-17 students for the first year.