Which school offers French Immersion?
Muheim Memorial Élémentaire is a dual-track school which offers an Early French Immersion program alongside a regular English program. Students interact as a whole school, participating in a variety of sports, extra-curricular activities, and fun theme days as a collective community. Experiences such as fine arts performances in French as well as our yearly Carnaval de Muheim event are enjoyed by our whole school population.

What is EARLY French Immersion?
Early French Immersion aims to provide instruction in French until Grade 3, after which 20% of instruction is in English and 80% in French up to Grade 7. This program nurtures the development of effective communication skills in both languages, as well as an understanding of language structure and language acquisition that may help students learn other languages more easily.

What curriculum does an EARLY French Immersion program follow?
The French Immersion program in School District 54 is intended to provide non-francophone children with a high degree of proficiency in French. Teachers follow the same BC curriculum as the regular English program, but the language of learning is primarily in French. Immersing students in a second language provides the best means of acquiring the second language, as they are actively engaged in speaking, listening, writing, and reading in French.

How does French Immersion compare to Core French?
Core French is taught as one subject within a school’s curriculum starting in Grade 5. In French Immersion, French is the language of instruction across the curriculum. In Core French, students are beginning to acquire language skills with 90-120 minutes of French instruction per week. This program satisfies the Ministry of Education’s requirement of four consecutive years of second language study for all BC students.

When will my child RECEIVE LITERACY INSTRCTION IN ENGLISH?
When a child enters French Immersion, a parent can expect that the child is taught primarily in French until about Grade 3 (with the exception of the early part of the year in kindergarten, where English is used). Students’ literacy skills in English typically catch up to those of their peers in the English program during the elementary school years.

How can parents help If they don’t know French?
French Immersion is tailored for children whose parents may not speak French. Teachers recognize your desire to help, understanding that many parents may not know the language. Your encouragement is what is most important. Even if you do not grasp the subject matter fully, being enthusiastic and supportive makes a big difference. Offer French reference materials and motivate students to use them. Enjoying French books, TV shows, radio, and movies can greatly enhance language development and highlight that French exists beyond the classroom. (Parent-teacher conferences are conducted in English, and reports are always written in English.)

Who can enroll in French Immersion?                     
All kindergarten aged students who reside in the Smithers area can express interest in enrolling in the program. If the number of interested students exceeds spaces available, a lottery will be conducted in January/February for the following September.

Why should I choose French Immersion for my children? French is one of Canada’s two official languages, and its worldwide distribution makes it a valuable language to learn in today’s global society. With more than forty-five countries sharing the language, French is considered a “world” language. The acquisition of French can prove to be an asset in the future, as it can lead to increased opportunities in both personal and professional settings. Overall, French Immersion offers students an opportunity to learn another language while also developing effective communication skills, an understanding of language structure and an appreciation of cultural diversity.