French as a Second Language
Avon Maitland offers a variety of options to parents and students looking for French as a second language education. We have three French Immersion schools, we facilitate students who wish to challenge the DELF proficiency certification, and we enhance our French programs with an excursion to St. Donat, Quebec.
Vision and Goals for French as a Second Language – Core, Extended, and Immersion, Grades 1 to 12
Vision
Students will communicate and interact with growing confidence in French, one of Canada’s official languages, while developing the knowledge, skills, and perspectives they need to participate fully as citizens in Canada and in the world.
Goals
In all French as a second language programs, students realize the vision of the FSL curriculum as they strive to:
- use French to communicate and interact effectively in a variety of social settings;
- learn about Canada, its two official languages, and other cultures;
- appreciate and acknowledge the interconnectedness and interdependence of the global community;
- be responsible for their own learning, as they work independently and in groups;
- use effective language learning strategies;
- become lifelong language learners for personal growth and for active participation as world citizens.
French as a Second Language, The Ontario Curriculum, 2014, pg. 6
The ability to speak and understand French allows students to communicate with French-speaking people in Canada and around the world, to understand and appreciate the history and evolution of their cultures, and to develop and benefit from a competitive advantage in the workforce.
Knowledge of an additional language strengthens first-language skills. The ability to speak two or more languages generally enhances cognitive development, as well as reasoning and creative-thinking skills. It also enhances the student’s confidence as a learner, facilitates the learning of additional languages, and contributes to academic achievement. As their strengths develop, French language learners become more flexible and adaptable in new and unforeseen situations. For example, second-language learners tend to be more divergent thinkers, with improved memory and attention span.
French as a Second Language, The Ontario Curriculum, 2014, pg. 6/7