Has your child been struggling in the French Immersion program? Do you wonder if leaving them in the program is causing them more harm than good? Whether they go to a public or Catholic school in Ontario, here are a few considerations to help you make an informed decision:
1. Motivation and Well-being
Assess your child's level of motivation and overall well-being in the French Immersion program. Do they no longer want to go to school or struggle with waking up on time to go to school? Is the French Immersion program causing excessive stress or negatively impacting their mental or emotional health? If their behaviour has changed drastically over time and they have lost interest or are finding it frustrating, it could be worth exploring alternative educational pathways. Moreover, the same could be said if they feel overwhelmed, stressed, or constantly unhappy.
In fact, here are some questions that you can ask your child to help understand their experience in the program:
What is your favourite subject being taught in French?
What is your favourite French game? Can you explain to me how it works?
How often do your teachers speak in French? (Prompt younger children by asking, Do your teachers only speak French in the mornings, the afternoons, or all day?)
2. Academic Progress
Evaluate your child's academic progress in the French Immersion program. What do their report cards say? Are they getting at most a C (60-69% or Level 2) in their French language subject when it comes to Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing? It is important to look at their French language mark being that the ability to read, write, speak, and listen in French is crucial to one's success in the program. If they are struggling significantly and falling behind in that course in particular, it may be worth considering other educational options that better suit their language learning needs.
Moreover, what are they getting in the other subjects that are being taken in French? Please note that each school board and even school determines which subjects are taught in French. With that being said, they can include the following: the Arts, Social Studies (Grades 1 to 6) or History and Geography (Grades 7 and 8), Mathematics, Science and Technology, and Health and Physical education.
3. Supports and Resources
Consider the availability of supports and resources within the French Immersion program. Does your child’s school provide appropriate materials in French for all subjects taken in French? Do they have a qualified permanent French Immersion Teacher throughout their academic school year?
In fact, here are some questions that you can ask your child's French Teacher:
What diagnostic assessments did you use to assess my child at the beginning of the school year or term? Did they arrive at your class at the right grade level?
Which language strand would you say my child excels in? Reading, writing, speaking, and/or listening?
How is my child meeting the specific expectations of the curriculum?
In the end, every child is unique, which is why your decision should be based on a holistic evaluation of your child's well-being, their academic progress, and their access to supports and resources.
With that said, if you need a second opinion, book a Post-Enrollment Assessment with our expert French as a Second Language Consultant, as they will:
assess your child based on the grammatical concepts outlined in the Ontario FSL curriculum for their current grade,
do so by conducting an on-site listening, speaking, reading, and writing test,
give you the results for each test and provide a rubric that highlights the results,
discuss their results with you during a 30-minute post-discussion, and
recommend whether your child should remain in the French Immersion program and provide you with possible next steps.
Our assessment services are for the Durham, Halton, Peel, Toronto, and York regions and are done in the comfort of your home.
If you reside outside of our service area and would like an assessment for your child, kindly email us at support@fairesens.ca.
Not ready to commit just yet? No problem! Consider reading Should I keep my child in the French Immersion program? or How do I know if my child is excelling in the French Immersion program? for additional support.
Written by Shana Baptiste-Iseyemi
FSL Consultant and Former French Teacher
Mrs. Baptiste-Iseyemi has 10 years of experience supporting students from diverse learning and linguistic backgrounds. She has taught in both the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and the York Region District School Board (YRDSB). She has also lived, studied, and worked in Grenoble, France.
She has a Honours Bachelor of Arts in French Studies with a minor in Anthropology from York University. She also has a Bachelor of Education with a focus on French as a Second Language and General Social Sciences from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto. Finally, she has a Career Strategist Certification with a focus on career development, career planning, and career management from the Career Professionals of Canada.
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