French as a Second Language Program
The primary goal of FSL programs in Ontario is to increase, within realistic and well-defined parameters, a student’s ability to use French effectively. The programs enable students to better understand the stages of language learning and the use of language learning strategies in order to become proficient second-language learners. All programs emphasize the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through the use of a contextual approach and a variety of authentic resources.
There are three FSL programs in Ontario – Core, Extended, and Immersion. All three of these programs are offered here at Philip Pocock. The three FSL programs are designed to provide students with different levels of intensity in the development of students’ French-language knowledge and skills, as follows:
Core French
Students are taught French as a subject. At the secondary level, academic, applied, and open courses are offered in Core French in Grades 9 and 10; university preparation and open courses are offered in Grades 11 and 12.
Extended French
Students are taught French as a subject, and French serves as the language of instruction in at least one other subject. At the secondary level, there are academic courses in Extended French in Grades 9 and 10, and university preparation courses in Grades 11 and 12. In the Extended French program, students accumulate seven credits in French: four are for FSL courses; three are for other subjects in which French is the language of instruction. Schools may grant a certificate in Extended French if the student fulfils these requirements.
Please see our DPCDSB Extended French page for details.
French Immersion
Students are taught French as a subject, and French serves as the language of instruction in two or more other subjects. At the secondary level, there are academic and applied courses in French Immersion in Grades 9 and 10, and university preparation and open courses in Grades 11 and 12. In the French Immersion program, students accumulate ten credits in French: four are for FSL courses; six are for other subjects in which French is the language of instruction. Schools may grant a certificate in French Immersion if the student fulfils these requirements.
Please see our DPCDSB French Immersion page for details.
Generally, the program a student selects at the secondary school level is determined by the total number of hours of French instruction accumulated by the end of Grade 8 (a minimum of 600 for Core French, a minimum of 1260 for Extended French, and a minimum of 3800 for French Immersion).5 The principal has the right to permit individual students to enroll in a course for which they may not have the entrance requirements if they have achieved the necessary language competence through other means.
One FSL credit (110 hours) from any of the three programs is compulsory for secondary school graduation.
For subjects other than FSL that are taught in French in an Extended French or French Immersion program, the expectations in each course are those outlined in the English-language curriculum policy documents. It is recognized that expectations in these subjects may need to be adapted to meet the needs of students who are studying the subjects in French instead of in English.
Italian
Students are taught Italian as a subject. At the secondary level, academic and open courses are offered in Italian in Grade 10; university preparation and open courses are offered in Grades 11 and 12. These courses offer students a variety of opportunities to take their language skills to comprehension and communication fluency by the end of Gr. 12, while increasing their understanding and knowledge of this rich culture through various studies in literature, history, and art.