Core French and French Immersion in Newfoundland and Labrador: a guide for parents
Families in Newfoundland and Labrador often ask how the French programs differ, when each starts, and how to help at home without speaking French. In English-language schools, children can learn French through Core French or through French Immersion. Gradelings practises Core French from Grade 4 to Grade 9. French Immersion is not built yet, because the immersion curriculum guides are not public.
Core French and French Immersion side by side
| Core French | French Immersion | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | French as a school subject, taught for part of the week alongside classes in English. | A program in which French is the language of instruction and, as much as possible, of the classroom. |
| When it starts | Core French is organized from Grade 4, and most students in Grades 4 to 9 take it. Intensive Core French is offered in Grade 6 in some schools. | Early French Immersion begins in Kindergarten with all instruction in French. Late French Immersion begins in Grade 7. |
| Who it suits | Every child can learn some French. No earlier French is needed. | Families who want their child to become fluent in French and are happy to have much of the school day in French. |
| Name in the curriculum | Core French (Atlantic Canada Second Language Core French Curriculum) | French Immersion curriculum guides |
| In Gradelings | Grades 4 to 9. Prompts are in English, with French words and sentences to read, choose and build. | Not available for Newfoundland and Labrador yet. |
Programs differ by school district. Your school and district have the current details.
What Core French children learn
The Atlantic Core French curriculum has four strands: communication, culture, general language education and language. Children learn to share personal information, describe people and places, ask simple questions, understand a simple text, and learn about francophone communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and other countries.
What French Immersion children learn
In French Immersion, children learn school subjects in French. English language arts is added in Grade 3 and some other subjects in English in later grades, so the share of French lessens through the years of school.
How report cards describe French
On the Kindergarten to Grade 6 report card, Core French is rated on communicating in oral and written French, using language learning skills and knowing about francophone cultures. Gradelings shows practice, not a report card mark, so ask your child's teacher what the report card says about French for your child.
Helping if you don't speak French
You don't need French to help. Ask your child to teach you a word each day, listen while they read aloud, and celebrate effort over accuracy. Mistakes are a normal part of learning a language.
How Gradelings fits in
French is off by default. A parent can switch on Core French for each child in Settings, under Subjects. French is not counted toward the Grade Champion trophy, and French lessons are read aloud in a French voice.
Ways to practise French at home
- Pick one new French word each day and use it at dinner or on the way to school.
- Label a few household objects with sticky notes in French.
- Listen to French songs or watch a short French video together and talk about what you noticed.
- Ask your child to read a page aloud in French, then retell it to you in English.
- Play a French game: count stairs, name colours, or spell a word out loud.
Browse the French lessons by grade: Grade 4.
Common questions
Core French is organized from Grade 4. Early French Immersion starts in Kindergarten for families who choose it, and Late French Immersion starts in Grade 7. Your school can tell you what is offered near you.
Late French Immersion begins in Grade 7. Entry rules and spaces differ by school and district, so ask your school or the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District.
English language arts is still taught alongside immersion, and research has generally found that immersion students do well in English. If you are worried, talk with your child's teacher.
No. French is a separate, optional set of subjects. Children earn their own French trophies instead.
No. It gives short, kind practice that matches the Core French topics. It doesn't replace a teacher, and its levels are not a report card mark.
Also see: Newfoundland and Labrador report cards explained.
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