French Immersion and My Child
Who can be successful in French Immersion?
Research has suggested that French Immersion can be suitable for any child. However, children with the following general skill set tend to excel in French Immersion environments. These children:
§ Appear to be risk-takers;
§ Appear to be interested in learning new things;
§ Attend school regularly;
§ Have a positive attitude toward school;
§ Communicate well verbally in their first language;
§ Have good memory skills.
How can I help my child in French Immersion?
Many parents have a limited background in French or do not speak the language at all. Parents do not need to know any French to support their children in French Immersion. Instead, parents can give their children the most help by providing encouragement and positive support. They can also help by taking an interest in their children’s school work, and by setting aside a regular amount of time for homework.
For further information, parents can access the Canadian Parents for French website at http://www.cpf.ca/.
[1] Knyazyeva, I. (2004). Possible Factors Influencing Student Performance in French Immersion. The ACIE Newsletter, May 2004, Vol. 7, No. 3. Accessed March 25, 2008 from: http://www.carla.umn.edu/immersion/acie/vol7/May2004_Student_Performance_Factors.html