Types of Schools

The Immersion approach—Principles and Practice 

Types of Schools

The success of a French immersion program requires a school environment that values the learning of French and promotes French as a living language. This can happen effectively in one of the two school settings described below through the collaboration and understanding of all school personnel. As well, school and jurisdiction policies and practices should reflect an understanding of and commitment to the immersion program.

Immersion Centre

• All students are enrolled in the French immersion program.
• French is the language of administration and the language of communication between all staff and students.
• The entire staff is fluent in French.
• All support services are offered in French.
• Students have the opportunity to live in French within the context of the school, a factor that favours a high degree of proficiency in French.

Dual-track or Multi-track School

• The school houses both a French immersion program and an English program.
• The dual-track school is the most common school setting for immersion at all grade levels.
• A multi-track school houses more than two programs, for example, an English program, an early French immersion program and a late French immersion program or another second language program such as an Ukrainian bilingual program.
• Some members of the administrative and support staff may be fluent in French and thereby are able to provide some services in French.
• Creating a French environment in a dual-track setting is a challenge and requires active support and fostering of the use of French inside and outside the classroom.

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