Why French Immersion?

Knowing a second language can:

  • increase your child’s personal pleasures such as the enjoyment of literature, art, music, theatre, travel and personal relationships
  • increase your child’s understanding of and respect for other peoples and other cultures
  • help your child to understand more about himself, his country and his fellow Canadians
  • give your child access to a larger pool of information and to more educational and career opportunities
  • give your child a competitive edge in the job market anywhere in Canada and in many other countries.

The process of learning a second language can also:

 

  • develop your child’s listening and learning skills as well as self-discipline
  • increase cognitive abilities, creating a more flexible thinker
  • enhance his knowledge of his first language and improve his ability to communicate in it (for example, your child will be able to contrast and compare the two languages)
  • make learning a third or fourth language much easier.

How to help

FRENCH SOUNDS
There are several differences between French and English pronunciation that might be most obvious as you read along with your child:
• consonants are essentially the same;
• there are significant differences between the sounds of the vowels;
• h is always silent in French;
• an s at the end of a word, to indicate the plural, is silent;
• qu sounds like k (not kw as quiet);
• th is pronounced t;
• ch is pronounced like the English sh;
• i is pronounced like the long English e (see);
• ou in French always sounds like troop (not out);
• oi sound like wa in wash;
• au and eau have the long o sound (go);
• ez has the long a sound (say);
• accents change the sounds of vowels;
< è sounds like the short English e (peck) ;
< é sounds like the long a sound (say);
< ê sounds like the short English e (peck);
< ç sounds like the s sound (sand);
• stress falls on the last sounded syllable (tapi sounds like tap-ee);
• when a word begins with a vowel (or a silent h), it is usually joined with the last consonant
of the preceding word – it will sound as though your child is reading one word instead of
two.
Adapted from “Yes, You Can Help”
 

Supporting your child in the French Immersion Program

Parents have a vital role in their child’s learning. Today, more than ever before, parents have access to information through books, pamphlets, speakers, workshops, the media, and the Internet on how to effectively support their child’s education. In order to support your child in French Immersion, it is important to read regularly in English or simply talk frequently (in English) about new experiences. Reading for pleasure should be encouraged in both French and English. In this way, your child’s English vocabulary will be enriched and his/her self-confidence will grow.

 

The following are suggestions for parents with children in the French Immersion program:

• be positive about the program and the teacher;

• show interest in your child’s daily activities;

• check newsletters for special events;

• check backpack or agenda for homework;

• communicate with teachers your concerns, questions or suggestions;

• listen to your child read in French and English;

• read daily to your child in English;

• access French books, subscriptions, tapes, games, software, videos,

television and radio;

• purchase a French/English dictionary for home.

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