Hamilton Wentworth District School Board’s (HWDSB) French as a Second Language Programming is guided by the three core priorities set out in A Framework for French as a Second Language in Ontario Schools, Kindergarten to Grade 1-12:
- Increase student confidence, proficiency and achievement in French as a Second Language (FSL)
- Increase the percentage of students studying FSL until graduation
- Increase student, educator, parent, and community engagement in FSL
These core priorities are at the forefront of HWDSB’s commitment to FSL that envisions:
“All students communicating and interacting with growing confidence in French.”
HWDSB offers two FSL programs – Core French and French Immersion. Each of the programs differs in intensity but share a common purpose: To develop student’s communication skills in the French language.
The programs teach students to listen, speak, read, and write in French through real-world language opportunities. French as a Second Language also promotes the use of language learning strategies, goal setting/reflection and an appreciation of French culture in Canada and in other regions of the world.
French Immersion Information Night
French Immersion is a proven way of acquiring excellent language skills in French. The French Immersion program at HWDSB is specifically designed for parents who do not speak French, but want their children to speak both official languages. The program is open to HWDSB students starting in Grade 1.
Click here to register for French Immersion.
Families of Senior Kindergarten students considering the French Immersion program were invited to a virtual information session ahead of the 2024-25 application process on October 17. For those who were not in attendance, a full video recording of the session is now available:
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2023 French Immersion Digital Booklet: 2023 Digital FI Booklet
2024-25 Application Process Flyer: French Immersion Flyer
French Immersion email for further questions: [email protected]
French Immersion Registration
Registration for the 2024-2025 School Year
Applications for Grade 1 entry into French Immersion are only accepted through the online application form. This application is only available to current Senior Kindergarten students (born in 2018).
A Grade 1 system-wide application process for entry to French Immersion allows for program placement of students, monitoring of accommodations, balance of enrolment, and long-term stability of the French Immersion program.
Click here to register for French Immersion.
The application process will begin based on the following important dates:
| Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 6 p.m. |
French Immersion Information Night for Families. |
| Monday, October 30, 2023 at 9 a.m. | Application process opens for Senior Kindergarten students only. |
| Friday, December 1, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. | Deadline for applications. |
| Friday, December 15, 2023 | Program location offered to families. |
| Friday, January 12, 2024 | Deadline for program acceptance and registration. |
| Monday, April 1, 2024 | Application process reopens for late applicants. |
Criteria for French Immersion Placement
- Availability of the program closest to the student’s home address, based on their French Immersion boundary.
- Grade 1 siblings entering French Immersion may attend the same school as their older sibling currently in French Immersion, space permitting.
- Balance of English and French Immersion enrolment in dual track schools (50-60 per cent in English or French).
- Year over year impact as students progress through Grades 1-8.
French Immersion Schools for the 2023-24 School Year
Visit our find a school page to find what French Immersion school your child would attend.
Sherwood Secondary School Cluster |
Westdale Secondary School Cluster |
| A.M. Cunningham (Gr. 1-5) | Bennetto* (Gr. 1-8) |
| Eastdale (Gr. 1-8) | Cootes Paradise (Gr. 1-5) |
| École Élémentaire Michaëlle Jean (Gr. 1-8) | Dalewood (Gr. 6-8) |
| Frank Panabaker (Gr. 1-8) | Dundana (Gr. 1-5) |
| Lawfield (Gr. 1-8) | Earl Kitchener (Gr. 1-5) |
| Norwood Park (Gr. 1-8) | Flamborough Centre (Gr. 6-7) |
| Parkdale (Gr. 1-5) | Guy B. Brown (Gr. 1-8) |
| W.H. Ballard (Gr. 6-8) | Kanétskare (Gr. 6-8) |
| Mary Hopkins (Gr. 1-5) | |
| Sir William Osler (Gr. 6-8) |
French Immersion Information
About the French Immersion Program
French Immersion at HWDSB:
- is a proven way of acquiring excellent language skills in French
- is specifically designed for parents who do not speak French, but wish their children to speak both official languages
- begins in Grade 1 and all students in the city of Hamilton are eligible
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Frequently Asked Questions
Registration
How do I find out how to register my child for Grade 1 French Immersion?
The online application process will be open from Monday, October 30, 2023 to Friday, December 1, 2023. Once the application period opens, information about how to apply will be posted on all elementary school websites under the ‘News’ section. Make sure you are subscribed to your school’s website to receive this update by email.
Click here to access our digital booklet with more information.
Why does HWDSB have an application system?
The purpose of a system application process is to ensure that all students who wish to take French Immersion programming are able to do so.
A Grade 1 system-wide application process for entry to French Immersion allows for program placement of students, monitoring of accommodations, balance of enrolment, and long-term stability of the French Immersion program.
When a student is accessing French Immersion, placement is determined by the availability of openings within schools providing the Program.
The guarantee is placement within the French Immersion program – not necessarily the neighbourhood school
Does HWDSB limit the number of students who can register for Grade 1 French Immersion?
Our process is designed to accommodate all students who apply.
How do I register my child for Grade 1 French Immersion?
Registration opens Monday, October 30, 2023 to Friday, December 1, 2023 so that we can establish Grade 1 French Immersion classes for the next school year based on the home address used on the application. Families will be notified at the end of February of acceptance into the program and the location their child will attend. Families have until March Break to accept their placement.
What happens if I miss the application deadline?
Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed at the beginning of April and then the beginning of each month until September. Placement is determined by the availability of openings within schools providing the Program.
The guarantee is placement within the French Immersion program – not necessarily the neighbourhood school.
My neighbourhood school has French Immersion. When I register, will my child have priority to attend that school?
Students who live within the boundary of the neighbourhood school are considered in-catchment students. Although every effort is made to place students in the program at their in-catchment school, living in-catchment, does not provide priority to that school.
We have an older child in French Immersion at the in-catchment school our younger child would attend. How can I ensure they are in the same school?
Grade 1 siblings entering French Immersion may attend the same school as their older sibling currently in French Immersion, provided the older child will remain at that school for the 2024-2025 school year. Applicants with siblings who will attend FI at the school in 2024-25 will be offered a placement prior to the random selection process, if it is required. Placement within a school is determined by the availability of openings within the school and the receipt of the online application.
The guarantee is placement within the French Immersion program – not necessarily the neighbourhood school.
The program at my home school is full. What happens now?
In cases where there are no available openings at the in-catchment school, an offer will be made to a program at the next closest school that has available space.
The guarantee is placement within the French Immersion program – not necessarily the neighbourhood school
If my child arrives at HWDSB later than October, may he/she enroll in Grade 1 French Immersion?
Students moving to HWDSB from another board may be offered a French Immersion program location based on an assessment conducted by the in-catchment school. This assessment confirms the student has enough background in French to not be behind their peers. Students who are deemed ready will be offered a placement in their French Immersion catchment school if space permits. If there is no space in the French Immersion catchment school, the placement will be offered in another school with French Immersion programming, and no transportation will be provided.
Transportation
Will HWDSB offer transportation to students enrolled in the Immersion program?
Transportation to a French Immersion program offered at your child’s in-catchment school is offered according to HWDSB’s Transportation Policy.
Transportation to a French Immersion program offered at an out-of-catchment school, for example, a school that is not your child’s neighbourhood school, is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.
Entering French Immersion After Grade 1
If my child does not begin the Grade 1 French Immersion program, could I provide tutoring for him/her so that he/she may enroll in Grade 2?
No. Parents must decide to start their child on the French Immersion pathway in Senior Kindergarten, for Grade 1. Tutoring will not provide your child with the required number of hours in French language instruction to ensure that they are at the same level as their peers by Grade 2.
Contact Information
For more information about French as a Second Language programming, please call 905-527-5092.
If you have questions about the Registration process, please email [email protected].
Support for your child
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Parent Guide to Supporting Your Child’s Success in French Immersion and Extended French |
For more information about French Immersion, please review the following materials:
You can also connect with Hamilton’s Francophone community to learn about events and activities.
There has been a significant shift in Core French programs across Ontario. Core French Programs no longer rely on memorization of learning skills through drills of endless lists of verbs and vocabulary. Rather, Core French programs allow students to communicate and interact in authentic real-life scenarios.
At HWDSB, learning activities focus as much on listening and speaking as on reading and writing. Opportunities for student conversations are maximized to develop communication and interaction skills and growing confidence in French.
Elementary Core French Programming
At the elementary level, Core French is mandatory for all students in English-language elementary schools. Students receive up to 200 minutes of French instruction per week and must have accumulated a minimum of 600 hours of French instruction by the end of Grade 8. Often the French as a Second Language teacher is a specialist who teaches multiple grades.
The goal of this program is to develop basic communication skills in French. Therefore, opportunities for oral interaction and spontaneous discussion are offered. The program also develops students’ appreciation of French culture in Canada and in other parts of the world.
All students are taught using the expectations of the French as a Second Language Ontario Curriculum. Teachers use their professional judgement to select materials and promote discussions that support student engagement, ability and confidence.
Guiding Documents
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Including Students with Special Education Needs in French as a Second Language Programs |
Growing Success – Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting in Ontario Schools |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can my child expect to learn in Core French?
A child in the Core French program can expect to develop the communication skills needed to understand and interact with others, to express themselves and to communicate simple ideas at a basic level.
How can I be involved in the Core French Program at my school, if I don’t speak French?
Studies show that students perform better in school if their parents/guardians are involved in their education. Parents/guardians can be involved in the Core French program in a variety of ways:
- Get to know your child’s teacher, and participate in parent-teacher interviews.
- Encourage your child to learn French. Turn the tables – let your child teach you French! This will build his or her confidence and self-esteem.
- Offer your child the opportunity to hear and speak French in authentic situations outside of the classroom, such as
- watching French television,
- listening to French radio,
- reading French books
- viewing the ISE website
- participating in franco-cultural events offered by local francophone organizations
- Centre Francais Hamilton offers monthly family events which include concerts, shows and summer festivals.
What do I do if my child encounters difficulties in Core French?
If you are concerned that your child is experiencing difficulties, you should contact the Core French teacher together you can discuss what can be done to help your child’s learning. Most children encounter challenges from time to time, but if your child is worried or frustrated, it could be a sign of an underlying problem that should be resolved as soon as possible. Children progress at different rates and learn in different ways, so teachers plan instruction and assessment considering students’ interests, learning styles, and previously acquired knowledge and skills.
Helpful Resources
The Diplome d’Etude de Langue Francaise (DELF) is a diploma issued by the French Ministry of National Education in recognition of French-language studies. The CIEP (Centre international d’études pédagogiques) is the public organization appointed by France’s Ministry of National Education to oversee the teaching and administrative aspects of the examination. These diplomas show a student’s proficiency in French and are recognized around the world.
In the spring of each year, HWDSB offers all Grade 12 Core and Immersion students the opportunity to challenge the DELF and demonstrate their French-language skills at three levels: A2, B1, B2. Each diploma corresponds to one of the four lower levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. At each level, a series of examinations evaluate the four communication skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Your child, with the support of their teacher, will self-select which diploma to try for.
Students who successfully challenge the DELF will have:
- life-long certification
- recognition of their proficiency in French
- a document for their resume or portfolio
- a description of what they can do in oral communication, listening, reading and writing in French
- a certified language assessment for acceptance into a French University
- travel, job and educational opportunities
More information about DELF:
Students need to connect with their French teacher for more information.
French as a Second Language (FASL) Advisory Committee
The French as a Second Language (FASL) Advisory Committee helps shape French programming in HWDSB elementary and secondary schools, as well as Ministry and community supports that enhance the learning experience for students.
Applications for the FASL Advisory Committee are now open for the 2023-24 school year. HWDSB welcomes submissions from parents, guardians and caregivers with students in Core French or French Immersion.
The deadline for FASL Advisory Committee applications is Monday, September 25 at 9 a.m.
Those interested in joining the FASL Advisory Committee are invited to complete the following form below. You can also click here to access the form.
Space on the FASL Advisory Committee is limited. Successful candidates will be contacted by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26. Committee members asked to commit to five meetings over the course of the school year, with the first one taking place at the HWDSB Education Centre on September 27, 2023 at 6 p.m.
FASL Advisory Committee 2023-24 Meeting Dates
- September 27, 2023
- November 29, 2023
- January 31, 2024
- March 27, 2024
- May 29, 2024
Transportation for French Immersion is offered to students whose in catchment school exceeds the walking distances of:
| Elementary School | Grades 1-8 | 1.6 km |
The method of transportation for elementary French Immersion is:
Grade 1 to 6 – Black and Yellow Buses with community stops.
A community stop is a centrally-located stop, similar to a transit style stop, for students and may not be within walking distance of a student’s home. Community stops may change year to year based on the home addresses of students.
Grade 7 and 8 – HSR (unless there is an existing route that accommodates these students)
Where HSR is not available, alternative transportation will be provided.
| Resource | Description |
| BrainPOP | Online site to explore all subjects. Suitable for French Immersion, k-12 |
| Radio Canada Jeunesse | Radio clips and podcasts that are relevant and of high interest. It includes quizzes and games related to each audio clip |
| Chez mimi | Short you tube series on everyday subjects. Suitable for Primary immersion and Core French. |
| Boukili | An immersive, interactive and educational reading experience for children aged 4 and over. Boukili encourages children to read and supports them by offering a collection of over 120 illustrated books grouped by reading level, theme and skill. |
| Duolingo for Schools | Online site and downloadable app (free) Grades 1 to 12 |
| Word Reference | Similar to Google Translate, this tool allows simple translations, lists of translations by topic, and text-to-speech features. |
| National Film Board of Canada | Use this resource to access the National Film Board’s collection of films. These films include content that is important to Canada and Canadians. |
| Dessiner Avec Moi/Draw-Along | Students can access a special series of animated videos and activity sheets that Mike Cope has created for young children (students in JK to Grade 3).
Students can also draw with Mike by exploring his YouTube channels (in French or in English). |
| Sound Bites for FSL
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The enclosed activities are designed for educators to use with individuals, small groups, or large groups of students to address various components of phonological awareness. |
Updated on Tuesday, December 05, 2023.