French Language

About

Core French and French Immersion programs differ in intensity, but share a common purpose: to develop a student’s oral communication (listening and speaking), reading and writing skills in French language.

All of the French Language Programs provide benefits to students regardless of whether or not they plan post-secondary studies in French. There are, however, significant differences in focus as well as in the language competency expected of students.

Generally, a student's program choice is determined by the total number of hours of French instruction accumulated by the end of Grade 8 (600 for Core French and a minimum of 3,800 for French Immersion). The longer exposure to French instruction provided by the Immersion program allows students to acquire a greater knowledge and understanding of the language as well as greater effectiveness in its use.

People sitting in a library

Core French

The Core French program is offered from Grades 4-8 in every Grand Erie school. Instruction is given in French for a minimum of 200 minutes per five-day cycle.

In Grand Erie secondary schools, a student must earn at least one credit in French to obtain an Ontario Secondary School Graduation Diploma. In Grades 10 to 12, students may choose an additional academic Core French course each year.

Both the Ministry of Education and Grand Erie District School Board value the Core French program, which provides students with relevant learning experiences to develop their oral communication, reading and writing skills in French.

Students in the Core French program will demonstrate a working understanding of information heard and read. They will also be able to speak in familiar situations


The Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF)

The Diplôme d’études en langue française (DELF) is an internationally recognized certification of proficiency in French for those whose first language is not French.

DELF exams take place in 175 countries worldwide. Grand Erie offers Grade 12 students in all French pathways (Core, Immersion and Extended French) the opportunity to challenge the DELF exam that best suits their proficiency: A2, B1 or B2, based on the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). French language skills are evaluated in the four areas of oral comprehension, oral expression, written comprehension and written expression.

Obtaining DELF certification not only opens doors to post-secondary and employment opportunities, it also serves as an official, internationally recognized testament to a student’s language learning journey and accomplishments. Grand Erie encourages its students in all French pathways to challenge the DELF in their Grade 12 year.


French Immersion

Introduction

The aim of Grand Erie’s French Immersion program is to:

  • Provide a quality educational program that meets the expectations of the Ontario Curriculum, both at the elementary and secondary school level.
  • Develop and refine the student’s ability to communicate (understand, speak, read and write) with confidence in the French language.
  • Help students understand and appreciate Canada's francophone heritage as well as French culture and language throughout the world.
  • Expand students' knowledge of the language through the study of francophone literature and research.

By the end of the four-year French Immersion program in secondary school, students will:

  • Participate easily in either language, at home, at work or when travelling.
  • Be able to pursue post-secondary studies or accept professional training in either French or English.
  • Be able to undertake employment in both French and English.

French Immersion Programs

Grand Erie offers the following optional programs:

Single-track French Immersion is an Elementary program that begins in Kindergarten.  It is available in schools that offer French Immersion programs only.

Available at: 

Dual-track French Immersion is an Elementary program that begins in Kindergarten.  It is available in schools that offer French Immersion and English language classes. 

Available at: 

In a secondary 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. Secondary schools grant a certificate in French Immersion if the student fulfills the requirement.

Secondary French Immersion programs are available at:


French Immersion Registration

For information about registering for a French Immersion program, see French Immersion Registration.

 

Elementary French Immersion Program Boundaries

For Secondary French Immersion and Extended French Immersion boundaries, click here.

City of Brantford

County of Brant

Haldimand County

Norfolk County


Elementary French Immersion Entry Point

Update

In 2022, a French Immersion Special Ad Hoc Committee was established to review elementary French Immersion programming in Grand Erie.

In 2024, the committee made the following recommendations pertaining to elementary program sustainability:

  • Remove lotteries for families by adhering to current February timelines for French Immersion Registration. Registrations after February will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. (This change has been implemented.) 
  • Review benefits and challenges of Kindergarten entry into French Immersion. 
  • Review the single-track and dual-track models.

After reviewing information from published research, Grand Erie data, and public input, the program decision has been made that:

Beginning September 2026, the Grand Erie District School Board will change the elementary entry point for French Immersion programming to Grade 1 and Kindergarten programming in English will be offered in all French Immersion schools for those families intending on enrolling in the program in Grade 1.

The rationale for this decision is as follows:

  • Kindergarten was designed to be a two-year program.  Ensuring that students optimize their English language skills prior to learning another language is advantageous to their overall educational experience. 
  • Student participation in a two-year English Kindergarten program increases opportunities for English literacy development and the likelihood of the Ministry-mandated English screening tool accurately assessing students’ reading skills so that responsive instruction and/or interventions can be implemented. 
  • Students are required by the Ministry of Education to attend school (Grade 1) in the year that they turn 6 years of age; Kindergarten is an optional program. By having a single French Immersion entry point in Grade 1, all Grand Erie students will have the option to enrol in French Immersion programming whether or not they attended Kindergarten.  
  • 63% of the publicly funded English boards in the province of Ontario offer only a Grade 1 entry point into French Immersion.  
  • Grand Erie’s Elementary French Immersion Cohort data reveal that 67% of the cohorts increased in enrolment from K1 to Grade 1 over the past three years suggesting that families who want French Immersion programming for their child/children will register by Grade 1. 
  • The majority of survey respondents (65%) did not indicate that a sole Grade 1 entry point would impact their decision to enrol their child/children in French Immersion. 
  • A national shortage of staff (teachers and Early Childhood Educators) who are fluent in French has resulted in staffing challenges (permanent and occasional).
  • French Kindergarten teachers would be available to support core and immersion French programming throughout the district. Registered Early Childhood Educators would continue to support students in Kindergarten classes. 
  • The provision of English Kindergarten programming in the same location where students will eventually enrol in French Immersion decreases the number of school transitions for students.

Entry Points Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is the elementary French Immersion entry point changing from K1(JK) to Grade 1?

The elementary French Immersion entry point is changing to Grade 1 for the reasons listed above in the rationale.

When will this entry point change occur?

This change in the French Immersion entry point will begin for September 2026.

If our/my child begins French Immersion K1(JK) in 2025-26, what happens to their programming for K2(SK) in 2026-27?

To support your child's continuity of learning and decrease the number of school transitions, your child will have the option of continuing in K2(SK) with French Immersion programming.

How will our/my child get to/from school?

Transportation will be provided as per the Board’s Policy on Student Transportation. Generally, transportation is provided if an elementary student’s home is at least 1.6 km from their designated school.

What happens if, after two years in English Kindergarten at a French Immersion school, we/I decide that it’s best for our/my child to continue in English programming?

In the winter prior to Grade 1, you will be asked to indicate your preference for your child’s future programming. If you decide that your child’s learning needs are best met in English programming, you will be reminded to register your child at their designated English school.

How do I determine my child’s designated school?

A student’s designated school is determined by their home address. Click here to locate your designated school.

Can students begin French Immersion programming after Grade 1?

In Grand Erie, the only students who may enter French Immersion programming after Grade 1 will be students who are transferring in from a board where at least 50% of their instruction has been in French.