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French Immersion


James Thomson Elementary is a culturally rich, community orientated school, and home to qathet School District's only Early French Immersion program. French Immersion is an educational program that provides students, whose first language is not French, the opportunity to become bilingual. 

This is achieved by instruction of BC Ministry of Education curriculum in French from grades K-3, with English Language Arts beginning in grade 4 and gradually increasing. While this means that French Immersion students may be reading English later than their peers in a standard English program, the process of learning to read and write in English proves easier because of transferable learning skills. Research demonstrates that students who successfully complete a French Immersion program attain functional bilingualism while doing as well as, or better than, their monolingual peers in the content areas of curriculum, including English Language Arts.

The French Immersion program functions as an integrated learning stream, so students still participate in all school-based activities, field trips, and events. Also, given the breadth of programming, community engagement, and resources that qathet School District offers across the region, students will have a plethora of opportunities within reach in addition to learning a new language.

Parents/guardians do not need to speak French for their child to be successful in the program. Involvement in a child's learning can take many forms. Parents/guardians can encourage their child to learn French by reinforcing the value of learning a second language and providing opportunities to hear, read and speak French in other situations (listening to French music, reading French books, eating at a French restaurant, going on a student exchange to Quebec, etc.). Ongoing parent-teacher communication (in English) and collaboration are key elements of French Immersion. As well, there will be various resources available for homework support, language support, and general involvement – including parent groups, online help, and local evening French classes for adults. 

Choosing French Immersion for your child is a great way to explore their potential, while providing them with a valuable advantage in today's increasing globalized economy.


What is Early French Immersion?

The Program in qathet School District at James Thomson begins in Kindergarten and continues through Grade 12. Although entry is recommended at the Kindergarten level for Early Immersion, it is possible for a student to enrol at the beginning of Grade 1 if there are places available. In Kindergarten, English may be used at the outset to establish routines. After this, English is used only if necessary in exceptional circumstances, as instruction takes place in French. Early Immersion provides students the opportunity to transition to French Immersion in Brooks Secondary School for Grades 8-12.


Interested in French Immersion? Learn more:


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