Should my child be in French Immersion?
The French Immersion program is designed for English-speaking children. Students who possess good first-language skills, are good listeners, self-confident, and motivated, will likely do well in Immersion.

Who may enrol?
The Early French Immersion program is available to children entering senior kindergarten and grade 1 in the Brantford family of schools.

Will my child's English language skills suffer in an Immersion program?
English skills are often enhanced through learning French. The Ontario Curriculum for French as a Second Language (1998) states that through learning a second language, students can strengthen their first-language skills. And enhance their critical and creative thinking abilities. Research suggests that there may be an initial lag in the English skills of Immersion students, but that by the end of the Junior division, they perform as well or better than their English counterparts. According to the Grand Erie EQAO 2000, Grade 6 Provincial assessments of reading and writing in English, the Immersion students did as well as, and in some cases, better, than their English counterparts.

Since I do not understand French myself, how will I know how to interpret the work my child brings home from school?
All communications to parents are in English. Teachers will communicate a child's progress to parents through report cards, interview, informal written notes, student planners, phone calls, etc.

How can parents assist their child?
While it is not necessary that parents be able to speak French, they can play an important role in ensuring their child's success by:

• showing an interest in the program and in their child's progress
• encouraging and supporting their child's efforts;
• reading stories to their child in English and listening to them read aloud in French and in English;
• participating wherever possible in the total life of the school;
• providing additional opportunities for exposure to French language and culture beyond the classroom.

What are the parents' responsibilities?
Parents who enroll their child in the program should remember that they are making a long-term commitment. Parents are cautioned not to exert pressure on the child to 'perform in French' at home. Children accept that their classroom experience is in French, and that the rest of their life at home with their family or with their friends in English or, possibly, another language.

Is transportation provided?
Early Immersion students who are eligible for transportation under Board policy will be transported to the French Immersion sites. Some restrictions may apply to individuals wishing to attend a site located in an area offering a different entry point than their present area.