Should I Enrol My Child In French Immersion?
We were meeting with a family earlier last week, with the student struggling with both English and French. While she was born in Canada, she came from an immigrant background and this complicated the matter, with another language being spoken at home. She is very kind and compassionate, eager to get everything done and meet the expectations of her parents, teachers and even herself. Despite the good intentions (and her love for French), there are questions about whether it is wise to continue in French immersion, especially with her English skills lacking.
What is French Immersion?
As you might already know, Canada is officially a bilingual country where English and French both have equal standing. Even though French is not spoken widely in Toronto or Vancouver (where learning centers are located), government (and other industry) jobs tend to go to those who are fluent in both. While students are given a basic knowledge of French outside of Quebec, it is insufficient for getting jobs in the areas described. As such, the government offers French immersion, which teaches the entire curriculum in French, with English courses integrated to varying degrees. This means that they will graduate fluently, but this assumes that they are capable of the high expectations, which can be overwhelming in certain circumstances. It is important to note that while English and French both use latin characters (like ABC), they are pronounced totally different and the words take on alternative meanings, even if they appear similar.
What Are The Other Benefits?
Apart from becoming equipped to study and travel in French speaking countries (and areas), like France, Quebec and many parts of Africa, there is a greater chance of securing an international job. This is due to the high number of French speakers, a community which constitutes one of the largest language blocks in the world. From government to industry, French is also spoken at the European Union, United Nations and other organisations. While it was once considered the language of diplomacy, English has taken on this role, especially at the conclusion of the Second World War. This does not mean that it is irrelevant, just that it takes a subordinate role to English. By combining fluency in both languages, the advances are multiplied and bilingual applicants are welcomed (and compensated) at the highest echelons of society and business.
Why Shouldn’t We Enrol in French Immersion?
If your child is currently doing poorly in English, it would be better for them to establish their mastery in that area since English is more important for everyday life. This can be troubling for some students, who genuinely love French but are suffering in other areas, not just in language arts but also in Math, Science and so forth. Assuming that your child wants to do their university in English, which accounts for most of North American universities, it would be unwise to straddle them with more work while they are already struggling. Assuming that your child is dead-set on enrolling, perhaps consider a fundamental course in English communication prior to making the change. That way they will not be overwhelmed and will not lose their passion for learning. After generations of helping students, we know that failure can stifle progress while success can do the exact opposite. The best approach is to make a list of priorities, with the most important subjects taking precedent. If your child is upset, you can offer them supplemental French classes while in the mainstream program, working towards their solid English performance. If things are different in a semester (or two), the issue can always be revisited.
How To Transition From Mainstream To French Immersion?
Most students start immersion early, making it difficult to integrate successfully. This is not to say that it is impossible but instead that it requires commitment and passion. The first step is to have your child evaluated for current performance, seeing how they are doing in relation to their current peers and prospective classmates. If they are doing very well in mainstream classes, which allocated a couple blocks a week, they can make the switch assuming they have considerable support. Inspiration can help your child prepare for the road ahead, guided by expert French tutors who are subject matter experts and are skilled at encouraging students. We would love to invite you in for a free assessment, to know their strengths, weaknesses and the best course of action. It takes about an hour and you will have all the answers that you need, giving you the tools to make a well informed decision.
