.png)
Georges P. Vanier School students created a digital presentation outlining the benefits of a French immersion program as a social studies project. This project aligned well with Francophone Month in March and the subject of nationalism, which students were learning in their course.
Benefits of French literacy include:
-Ease of travel,
-Ability to work anywhere in Canada,
-Increased employment opportunities.
Future plans that students mentioned include:
-Becoming a French teacher,
-Continuing the culture and language of their grandparents and family,
-Taking advantage of the opportunities of having two languages.
The creators of this project provided even more depth and insight into the advantages and tools they possess due to their bilingualism. It was interesting to note that out of four students, only one came from a primarily Francophone-speaking home. They explained that French language was introduced gradually, beginning in kindergarten, and expanded more in each grade. Even if their parents weren't fluent in French, they felt very supported in their studies by the teachers and community. French immersion, they felt, was very different from taking a French class in that they took it more seriously, advanced much further in the language, and retained what they had learned.
They are glad to converse with older people within the community and participate in volunteer opportunities, mentorship with younger students, and community events. They know that being bilingual is an added credential when applying for any job and could be the deciding factor between two candidates. As one student commented, "There is really no downside to knowing a second language!"
Their teacher noted that students who graduate from a French immersion program automatically receive their DELF (Diplome d'Etudes en Langue Française) certification free of charge. This certification is mandatory for students entering into francophone post-secondary education.
Thank you to Dominic Sliger, Brooke Tokarz, Haley Wurban, and Cory Brulotte for your hard work on this project, and for sharing your findings.