What is Late French Immersion?

The Late French Immersion Program provides students with the opportunity to become highly functional in speaking, reading, writing, listening and communicating in French by the end of Grade 12. It is a program in which French is the language of instruction, beginning in Grade 7 and continuing through Grade 12. At the completion of the appropriate high school courses, students from the Late Immersion Program become eligible for the Bilingual Competency Certificate.

Late Immersion Program Objectives

• Achieving Alberta curricular learning outcomes in all core subject areas.
• Promoting necessary skills to study and learn in a new language.
• Maintaining development of English while developing competency in French.
• Motivating students to further their interest and studies in French.
• Exposing students to Francophone culture.
• Providing students with an enriching and enjoyable experience.

For Parents of Late Immersion Students

The decision to enroll in the Late Immersion Program should be a cooperative one between the parent and the child. To succeed in this program, it is essential for both parents and students to have a positive and committed attitude. Parents are not required to have any French knowledge in order to support their child. Providing encouragement and interest in their child’s learning is instrumental, especially in the first few months of the school year. By creating a dedicated homework and study time, parents can assist their child in developing good study habits.

Learning at Woodman

Our School offers three different programs: Early French Immersion, Late French Immersion and English. Currently, there are approximately 288 students involved in the French Immersion Programs at Woodman School. This represents about 60 percent of our student population. Grade 9 graduates of the Late Immersion and Early Immersion programs can continue their French studies at Dr. E. P. Scarlett High School. Students wanting to enroll in the IB French program would be attending Western Canada High School.

The Immersion Classroom

The following core subjects are taught in French:

• French Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Social Studies
• Science

The following courses are taught in English:

• English Language Arts
• Physical Education
• Complementary subject areas such as Art, Band, Ceramics, Communication Technologies, Construction, Design Studies, Drama, Foods, Leadership, Outdoor Education, Photography, Robotics

Transportation

• Yellow bus transportation is offered to families living on the west side of MacLeod Trail.
• Woodman is conveniently located near the Heritage C-Train station and Calgary Transit bus routes.

Registration Information

Any Grade 6 student who is not currently registered in French Immersion, and has the desire to learn French, can enroll in the Late French Immersion program. Parents can begin registering their child on February 18, 2021. Registration forms should be submitted by March 19, 2021 . Please visit our How to Register page for registration packages.

Residential Districts Designated to Woodman School for Late French Immersion Program

If your community is not listed above, please see the Calgary Board of Education website page to find your designated school with the find a school tool

Videos

Video introduction for Parents

Video introduction for Students

Did You Know?

• French is spoken by 130 million people worldwide.
• The French language is 27% lexically similar to English, 89% similar to Italian and 75% similar to Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish and German.
• French is a language of world diplomacy and a working language of international organizations, such as the European Economic Community, the United Nations, NATO, the International Monetary Fund and the International Olympic Committee.