School Directory

French Immersion

French Immersion is well-established in our Catholic schools

French Immersion is designed for families who have the desire to learn the French language. Students may register as early as age 3 in our Early Learning Program, Kindergarten or Grade 1. In elementary school, French is the language of instruction for all subjects except Religion & Music. Starting in Grade 3, students begin learning English Language Arts classes. At middle and high school, students receive between 50% and 80% of their instruction in French, depending on the grade level.

Students will:

  • Become bilingual
  • Develop an appreciation of the French culture through cultural events and/or entertainment
  • Acquire fluency to speak, read, write and listen in French
  • Retain, maintain and improve their competencies in their native language

Instruction in the classroom focuses on:

  • Teaching curriculum content
  • Responding to the child’s educational interests and needs
  • Creating an atmosphere in which second language development is nurtured and encouraged
  • Facilitating meaningful communication in French

Our French Immersion program provides students with a wealth of experiences and advantages within the classroom walls and beyond. The program follows the regular Alberta Education curriculum in French with the addition of a regular English Language Arts Program. The program targets students with non-French-speaking parents while enriching and complementing a child's first language. It also enhances a student's academic growth and encourages new ways of thinking.

Learning a second language also teaches students about other cultures and broadens their perception of their own culture. In Canada, knowing both official languages opens doors to many exciting career opportunities.

Please note the language of communication between home and school is in English.

French Immersion for all ages

MHCBE offers French Immersion Programming from Kindergarten to Grade 12! No French language background is required and parents do not need to speak French to enroll their children.

Catholic Schools Offering French Immersion:

Early Years 

(Kindergarten to Grade 3)

Upper Elementary

(Grade 4 to 6)

Middle School

(Grade 7 to 9)

High School

(Grade 10 to 12)

Goals:

To build strong speaking skills and gain a solid foundation in reading and writing French.

Goals:

Achieve fluency in French and develop critical thinking skills.

Goals:

Develop advanced language skills, strengthen critical thinking and prepare for high school.  Students offered the option of writing the DELF (Diploma of French language studies) A2 exam in grade 7

Goals:

Achieve bilingualism, develop strong academic skills, and be prepared for college or university programs.  Students offered the option of writing the DELF (Diploma of French language studies) B1 exam in grade 10 and B2 exam in grade 12.

Subjects:  

All subjects to be taught in French except for Religious Studies and English language arts instruction beginning in grade 3.

Subjects:  

All subjects to be taught in French except Religious Studies, English language arts, and options (gr 6).

Subjects:

Core subjects like math, science, and social studies are taught in French.

Subjects:

Core subjects like French language arts and social studies are taught in French.

What Your Child Will Learn:

What Your Child Will Learn:

What Your Child Will Learn:

What Your Child Will Learn: