Frequently Asked Questions
Who is early ESL/Francisation funding intended for?
ESL:
This funding, which is in addition to base ECS funding, is intended to address the costs associated with serving eligible young children as young as 3 and ½ years with language development needs as of September 2007 if:
- They are foreign born and have minimal English language skills, or
- They are Canadian born and have limited English language skills. (This may include First Nations, Métis and Inuit children who would benefit from language enhancement.)
Francisation:
This funding, which is in addition to base ECS funding, is also provided to address the costs associated with serving the language enhancement needs of eligible children as young as 3 and ½ years who have insufficient fluency in French if:
- They come from homes in which the primary spoken language is not French, or
- They speak minimal French or are non-French speaking.
How do I identify a child that is eligible for ESL/Francisation funding?
School jurisdictions and private ECS operators may seek assistance in identifying children who are eligible for the funding through organizations that serve immigrants and their families, community agencies and other groups that support new members of the community.
How is a child's language proficiency determined?
The child's proficiency will be assessed to determine eligibility for funding as well as for programming. The screening/assessment method will be functional, quick, cost-effective and can be conducted by a certificated teacher. The child must have documentation on file to indicate proficiency at onset and following a year of programming.
Who is responsible for conducting the program?
Programming must be conducted by an Alberta-certificated teacher. This may imply direct programming conducted by a certificated teacher, or programming supervised by a certificated teacher who works closely with the program staff to ensure the program's quality. The certificated teacher should advise program staff and demonstrate techniques to enhance program delivery. If programming is provided off-site under teacher supervision, a contractual agreement would be required.
Do I need to provide 475 hours of programming to a 3 and ½ year old?
Program hours need to be developmentally appropriate to the age group. For this age, this may mean 300-350 hours of programming. The funding for the additional hours (125-175 hours) is to be used to support the family component that engages the child's family in language activities as well. This may take place through activities such as library evening, games night or other events that support language development and social interaction.
What are the recommendations for ESL/Francisation programming for 3 and ½ year olds?
ESL/Francisation programming for 3 and ½ year olds is optional; eligible children are not required to participate. Our goal is to have programming that allows the child to gain confidence in his or her language skills through a variety of language-rich activities that provide opportunities for the child to develop skills through play and interaction with English or French speaking peers. The program needs to be developmentally appropriate to the age group, child-focused and family-centred. This programming is not an early version of Kindergarten. The focus is not on academic readiness skills.
A successful program recognizes the role family and culture plays in language development, therefore we recommend an additional focus on involvement from the child's family and the community as a language model for children. We also suggest that the program would benefit from a component that supports literacy in the family's first language. The role of first language is equally important in brain development. This can be supported within the funding allocation and help you reach a total of 475 hours of programming.
How could "Off-Site" programs operate?
Early Childhood Services operators offering "off-site" programs may contract space and a service provider to operate the program. The supervising certificated teacher's role is to program activities, outline expectations and make suggestions for appropriate family involvement. Spaces may be contracted and service providers can be brokered. The program is subject to all health and safety regulations.
The "off-site" program may include a funding transfer to enhance the collaborative nature of the program. This may include funding to be utilized for field trips and resource purchases or family social activities to increase family literacy and family involvement.
Early ESL/Francisation programming does not require an IPP for children as these children are not classified as having special education needs. However, a one-page description of the planned activities to support language acquisition is required.
Off-site programs should not incur therapy costs for participants.
For more information
Early ESL/Francisation programming opportunities supports the Minister's mandate to provide access to early learning opportunities. For more information please call the Alberta Children and Youth Initiative (ACYI) at 780-422-9423.
